What You Need To Know About The Honda Civic Hybrid

Save Gas With A Hybrid: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
By: Lyn Davis

Starting at $22,150, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a great choice for any car buyer who seeks a safe, attractive, environmentally-friendly vehicle at an affordable price. Honda retooled the Civic hybrid to make it even better than before. Standard features include an 8-valve 4-cylinder gasoline
engine, anti-lock brakes, front and side cushion airbags, a sleek, multi-tier panel and a top-notch audio system.

Like all hybrids, the 2006 Civic combines a gas engine, powerful battery and electric motor to achieve maximum mileage and reduced emissions. The 2006 Honda Civic hybrid can cruise using only its electric motor in particular driving conditions. This makes it a “full hybrid” vehicle. As far as gas mileage goes, the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. This is a slight improvement from the gas mileage of the 2005 model.

The 2006 Civic hybrid's electric motor produces 20 horsepower. The battery pack used for storing energy is 158 volts, increased from the previous year.

The 2006 Civic hybrid offers seating for five and is considered a compact sedan. Sleeker and more attractive than the 2005 Civic hybrid, the 2006 model is great for anyone seeking a sportier hybrid car.

As far as power goes, the combined gas engine and electric motor of the 2006 Civic hybrid produce 115 horsepower, an increase of 23 percent from the 2005 model.

If you think the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid might be the right car for you, the next step is finding a reputable dealership. You can search for dealerships in your area using the Yellow Pages or the Internet. It's a good idea to visit more than one dealership before deciding which one should have your
business. Make sure your salesperson is knowledgeable and friendly without being overly aggressive. And always take a test drive to make sure the vehicle you think you want to purchase feels right to you.

About the Author:

Lyn Davis is a freelance writer who specializes in consumer information. For more information visit Hybrid Cars

Read more articles by: Lyn Davis

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Why Are Gas Prices So High? How To Prepare For Increasing Gas Prices.

Why the Gas Price is Very High? What Can You Do About It?
By Entjik Jeffrie

The problem with the gas price today is linked to the economic laws. The first economic law is “prices double every 10 years” and the second law is “the law of supply and demand.”

10 years ago the average gas price was $1.50 and today the average gas price is $3.00. We don't have to be a genius to predict how much the gas price will be in 10 years $3.00 * 2 = $6 gallon, and in another 10 years, the gas price will be $3.00 * 2 = $12/gallon and so on.

So basically, if you can't find a job that pays you double in 10 years, you will be in a financial disaster because your expenses will be higher than your income.

So it is important to improve yourself, so you can double your income every 10 years. You get paid because of the information and the knowledge that you can contribute to your work place.

The supply and demand law, as long as you and I still drive our car and the car needs gas. There is nothing that the government can do to lower the gas price. If the supply is low and the demand is high, automatically the price will go up. If the supply is abundant and the demand is low, the price will go down.

Gas is one of the most demanding products out there, because if there is no gas, a lot of people won't be able to drive their car. A lot of businesses can't transport their products because their trucks can't run without gas. Many people decided to ride their bicycle and motorcycle to work because they just can't afford to buy the $3/gallon gas for their car.

Why does the food price go up too? Well when the cost of transporting the food from the food manufacture to the store is increased because of the price of gas, the food manufacture must increase the price of their product in order to maintain their profit margin.

What can you do about it? Well, you can get a second job to increase your income, or learn how to do a part time business to bring additional income. Learn to invest in yourself, keep your knowledge and information up-to-date, and learn more skills and get more information.

I hope this article helps to give you a little bit preparation for your future. Many people don't know this, and when they see prices doubled in 10 years, they are shocked and they are caught unprepared. The last thing that you want to do is panicking, because when you panic, your mind will be clouded and you can’t think straight.

When it comes to preparing your financial future, you can’t be lazy and be sitting around and wait for a miracle to come, because you are the only person who is responsible for your future.

© Copyright 2005 Pebden.com, Author: Entjik Jeffrie, All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Entjik_Jeffrie

Explanation Of Gas Movement Throughout Your Car

Where Does the Gas Go?
By James Monahan

We've seen too much misinformation regarding exhaust (read: that pipe that runs under your car which gives off or "exhausts" certain things) theory.

What kind of misinformation? For starters, there are a lot of people in the "bigger is better" camp. We're talking about exhaust pipe diameters.

Of course you've seen them quasi-race cars with the biggest exhaust systems making the most thundering noises while parking at your lot. For some, this is just way irritating while for others, well, they just have to put up or shut up.

So is bigger really better? To understand and to be able to take a side on this great debate, one must know what really happens and what purpose does the exhaust pipe serve.

Let's start from the beginning. What is an exhaust system? Silly question? Not hardly. Exhaust systems carry out several important functions. First of which is getting hot, noxious exhaust gasses from your engine.

These are placed away from the engine compartment. Basically it's the waste place of the car. It also significantly soothes noise output from the engine. And in the case of modern cars, reduce exhaust emissions.

So how the heck does the exhaust system work?

Here's a point by point, step by step travel of the exhaust in your car. This will give you an idea on what happens inside your car (just the exhaust side, though)

After your air/fuel mixture (or nitrous/fuel mixture) burns, you will obviously have some leftovers consisting of a few unburned hydrocarbons (fuel), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, phosphorus, and the occasional molecule of a heavy metal, such as lead or molybdenum.

These are all in gaseous form, and will be under a lot of pressure as the piston rushes them out of the cylinder and into the exhaust manifold or header It collects the exhaust gases from multiple cylinders into one pipe.

They will also be hotter. An exhaust manifold is usually made of cast iron, and its' primary purpose is to funnel several exhaust ports into one, so you don't need four exhaust pipes sticking out the back of your Civic.

Exhaust manifolds are usually pretty restrictive to the flow of exhaust gas. So therefore, they waste a lot of power because your pistons have to push on the exhaust gasses pretty hard to get them out.

So why does virtually every new automobile sold have exhaust manifolds? Because they are cheap to produce, and easy to install. Real cheap. Real easy.

The performance alternative to the exhaust manifold is a header. What's the difference?

Where a manifold usually has several holes converging into a common chamber to route all your gases, a header has precisely formed tubes that curve gently to join your exhaust ports to your exhaust pipe.

How does this help? First of all, as with any fluid, exhaust gases must be treated gently for maximum horsepower production (that's your engine's power) You don't want to just slam-bang exhaust gas from your engine into the exhaust system.

Nextly, exhaust gases exit from your manifold or header, travel through a bit of pipe, then end up in the catalytic converter, or "cat". The cat's main job is to help clean up some of the harmful chemicals from your exhaust gas so they don't end up in your lungs.

In most cars, they also do a great job of quieting things down and giving any exhaust system a deeper, mellow tone.

From the catalytic converter, the exhaust gasses go through a bit more pipe and then into a muffler, or system consisting of several mufflers and/or resonators.

Exhaust gases leave the engine under extremely high pressure. If we allowed exhaust gasses escape to the atmosphere directly from the exhaust port, you can well imagine how loud and cop-attracting the noise would be.

For the same reason gunshots are loud, engine exhaust is loud. Sure, it might be cool to drive around on the street with that testosterone producing, chest-thumping, 150 decibel roar coming from your car… for about 5.3 seconds. Even the gentleman's gentleman has got to use a muffler, or system of mufflers, on their exhaust.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of target="_new" ExhaustSite.com and writes expert articles about exhausts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Monahan

How To Cut Your Gasoline Costs In Half

How to Lower Your Gas Cost by 50% Starting Today!

By Ted Ljungqvist

How to lower your gasoline cost by 50%, thru a step-by-step method, starting today by spending only 1 hour a month.

Introduction

As gasoline prices continue to climb higher and higher, many people are beginning to look for ways to slash their fuel bills. While there have been many different ideas put forth; some are not suitable for all consumers due to the fact that they must commute to work; are financially unable to trade in their existing vehicle for a smaller automobile or various other reasons.

Therefore, it is important to understand that there are; in fact, ways that you can actually lower your gasoline costs without taking any drastic measures.

You can quite easily begin to lower the amount of money that you must spend on gasoline by learning how to maneuver your car in such a way that it actually uses less gasoline.

Throughout this book, I will discuss many different ways that you can begin to see real differences in the amount of money you spend on gasoline by maneuvering your car differently.

Before we begin to delve into the many different ways that you can begin to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy, it’s important to first discuss understand the basics of fuel economy.

This won’t be a long, complicated discourse on the detailed nature of vehicle engines, but it will give you a simple and clear way to understand how your vehicle achieves fuel economy and most importantly; how you can accurately calculate your vehicle’s fuel economy.

When working on increasing your vehicle’s fuel economy, it’s important to keep a running log of your car’s mileage per gallon so that you will immediately notice if there have been any changes. These changes can signal the fact that you car may need maintenance, which as we will discuss later on; can make a great difference in your fuel economy.

Most vehicles, at least the newer models, come with a handy little sticker when you make your purchase that will tell you what kind of fuel economy you can expect to receive on that vehicle. While this can be a handy gauge, it won’t tell you exactly what kind of fuel economy your vehicle is receiving five years down the road; even six months down the road. Once getting into the habit of recording their fuel economy based on actual facts, many people are often surprised at the difference between the fuel economy they’re supposed to get with their chosen vehicle and the fuel economy they’re actually receiving.

Fortunately, with a little knowledge; you can change that. It’s a good idea to keep a notebook or journal of some type in your vehicle, along with a pen or pencil, so that you can quickly jot down information about your fuel economy when you fill up your vehicle. Waiting until you get back to the office or home, and writing it down haphazardly on scraps of paper, doesn’t work well.

Get in the habit of doing it when you fill up and keeping the information in the same place and you’ll find that it’s much easier and quicker to handle.

Take a look at the below legend to understand how to quickly and easily calculate and record your fuel mileage.

Date: This is the date you buy gas. This will help you budget for gas by showing you how often you fill up the tank.

Odometer: In this column, record the car's odometer reading when you purchase gas.

Trip: One way to easily and quickly determine your fuel economy is to reset your trip meter to 0 each time you fill up your tank. This can help you to determine how far you travel between tanks of gas.

Gallons: This is the amount of gas required to refill the tank. When filling up your gas tank, always be sure to lock the gas pump handle and then allow it to shut off automatically. Never push it further by topping off the tank. This will help to ensure that you have a full tank of gas each time

MPG: This is the miles per gallon you get for a tank of gas.

Notes: This column is handy for making any notes about factors that might affect your vehicle’s fuel economy. If you needed to drive with snow tires this week; for example or if you took a trip onto particularly rough terrain. Make a note of anything that would explain any significant deviations in your vehicle’s fuel economy.

Here’s a quick way to determine your gas mileage. Simply divide the number of miles you have traveled since your last fill-up by the number of gallons recently purchased. In order to keep track of how many miles you’ve traveled since your last fill up, you may use one of two methods.

Either reset the trip meter to 0 after each fill-up or make a note of the odometer readings and calculate it that way. When recording your vehicle’s fuel economy, it’s important to begin with a full tank of gas. Go about your normal driving (keeping in mind the tips you’ll read later on!) and then fill up again when the tank is down to ¼ full. When it hits this mark, it’s time to find out exactly what kind of mileage you’re actually getting.

To calculate your gas mileage, divide the number of miles you drove by the gallons of gas used. Most often, you’re not going to come up with nice, even round numbers. You’ll normally have fractions; such as 265.3 miles and 14 gallons of gas.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to also keep a small calculator with your journal (unless you’re just really good at long division) so that you can make accurate calculations. Always make sure that you calculate correctly and don’t estimate or guesstimate.

Keep in mind that you can’t expect to receive the same gas mileage each and every time. Sometimes there will be factors you cannot control that will cause your gas mileage to fluctuate; but the point is that you should begin to see a definable pattern.

After you’ve been calculating your fuel economy for awhile, you’ll begin to see that pattern. The important thing here to understand is your average fuel economy. This, too, is very easy to calculate. Let’s suppose that your calculations for the past few weeks look something like this: 21, 19, 23, 27, 17, 26.

To find out the average fuel economy of your vehicle, simply total these numbers and then divide by the number of figures you are averaging. So, in this example; our average fuel economy would be 133 divided by 6; which would be 22.16 mpg.

Ted Ljungqvist
www.optimaldriving.com

I’m a resident of Sweden and a founder of the optimal driving concept.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Ljungqvist

If You Drive A Dodge, How To Improve Your Gas Mileage

Some Useful Tips for Improving Your Dodge's Fuel Economy
By Terry Brown

As global oil prices continue to rise meteorically to record levels, we have to find ways to improve our cars' fuel economy and save money. Especially now that drivers are doing a lot more traveling than ever, the importance of fuel economy cannot be over emphasized. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that vehicle miles traveled by the average American has increased by over 115%. This increase in miles traveled and the present dilemma of rising fuel prices means that we are spending more on our fuel than ever before. Thus, we have to find ways to save money on gas and improve fuel efficiency, especially if our vehicles are not really known for their excellent gas mileage.

There are many ways you can significantly improve the fuel economy of your vehicle. Managing your vehicle by minimizing operating costs on gas as well as minimizing emissions is our goal. Here are some helpful tips you can use to help you achieve a fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious vehicle. Start by determining your car's actual gas mileage or your car's miles per gallon. If your car has poor gas mileage then it is more important than ever to start improving your fuel economy. You can do this by changing your driving habits. Take your time and drive slower, instead of 60mph, try driving at 70mph. Although it may take you longer to reach your destination, what is important is you can save up to $5 in gas costs because of the reduction in speed. This is because aerodynamic drag increases as you drive faster and gas mileage deteriorates at speeds of over 60mph.

Regular maintenance is a very effective way to improve and keep up your car's fuel economy. The simple reason is that a poorly maintained car works harder; and a car that has to work harder will definitely use up more fuel. Thus, maintenance issues such as under inflated tires, dirty and clogged air filters, spark plugs and fuel injectors must be resolved. Make sure that your tires are inflated to their proper pressures. Tires that are in good condition and properly inflated provide less road resistance thus improving fuel. You should also check tire pressure regularly and look out for signs of uneven wear or gas leaks that could compromise your tire's performance.

Another excellent way to cut your fuel costs is by planning your vehicle use in such a way that you can combine, streamline and consolidate your trips and reduce unnecessary travel. You should also avoid excess idling, which is a waste of fuel. Stop your engine if you think your car will be idle for more than 30 seconds. You can also minimize air conditioning and use your car's flow-through ventilation. You should also check which gas you use, stick with the right octane gas indicated in your car's manual.

Have your Dodge regularly checked by your trusted auto mechanic. Give more attention to those auto parts that are connected to the fuel consumption of your car such as Dodge fuel tanks, Dodge catalytic converters, Dodge gas tanks, Dodge radiators and others. If your Dodge's parts are either defective or is not functioning properly then it is necessary and wise to replace these auto parts as soon as possible. You can save more money in the end by replacing dysfunctional parts and ensuring that everything in your car is in tiptop shape.

However, make sure that you purchase the best Dodge Parts only from a trusted and reliable auto parts store. Pick an auto parts supplier with an excellent reputation in the auto parts industry.

Inner Auto Parts is one of the many auto parts wholesalers today, but stands out from the rest because it is a reliable source of useful and relevant automotive information and a known expert in the field of auto parts. They now have an excellent auto parts store that offers top quality Dodge Parts including Dodge A/C Condensers, Dodge Lights, Dodge Weatherstripping, Dodge wheels and other major product categories. With excellent quality, replacement Dodge auto parts from Inner Auto Parts, you can be sure that your car is maintained in excellent condition thereby improving its fuel economy and helping you save money on gas.

Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an enthusiast for anything auto related. He is currently employed as a market analyst by one of the top car parts company in the area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Brown

How Using The Internet Can Save You Gas

Stop Spending Your Money on Higher Gas Prices - Use the Internet
By Andrew Malek

Gasoline prices continue to rise, costing you money. At the risk of dating this article, previously unseen U.S. gas prices of over $3.00 are now common in some areas. I know those in Europe and elsewhere pay much more, but we can agree over the past year that many countries have recently seen huge spikes.

Rising gas prices affect all of us in some degree. Unless you walk, your cost of commuting to work increases. The prices of goods climb due to increased transportation costs. How can you decrease the impact on your pocketbook?

Luckily the Internet offers many different ways to help ease your burden. Note that many of these sites are geared towards the United States.

1. Search for Cheaper Gas Prices Online

Cheaper gasoline prices may be available but tough to find. Instead of driving from station to station checking for cheap prices or traveling 20 miles out of the way, try the following sites:

GasBuddy.com - http://www.gasbuddy.com/
GasPriceWatch.com - http://www.gaspricewatch.com/

Carefully read the times reported for the gasoline prices! The cost of gas can rise or fall sharply (though it tends to do more of the former) in the span of a few hours.

2. Use Mapping Services to Plan Your Trips More Wisely

It just makes sense that if you know where you're going and don't get lost, you'll require less gas getting there. Browse these websites to help you plan your journey; some even display satellite maps to further assist your travels:

Google Maps - http://maps.google.com/
MapQuest - http://www.mapquest.com/
MSN Maps and Directories - http://maps.msn.com/
Windows Live Local - http://local.live.com/

Though very helpful, use the above sites as a guide as 100% accuracy is never guaranteed.

3. Find Nearby Stores

Don't travel miles and miles out of the way and spend more money on gas to go somewhere when an equivalent store is just around the corner!

Google Maps - http://maps.google.com

For example, I can query "pizza 30338" to find several eating establishments in or nearby Dunwoody, GA.

InfoSpace - http://www.infospace.com/

Using InfoSpace's "Near an address" feature on their front page, enter in your street address and type of business, and find close-by businesses never previously noticed while on the road. This beats driving elsewhere and spending more money on gas!

4. Stay Out of Traffic

Tired of idling? We all want to arrive at our destinations sooner, avoiding gas-guzzling traffic jams. These websites provide traffic information, provided you live in supported metro areas:

MSN Autos Traffic Reports - http://autos.msn.com/everyday/trafficreport.aspx
Traffic.com - http://www.traffic.com/
Yahoo Maps, Driving Directions, and Traffic - http://maps.yahoo.com/

Check your local department of transportation as it may display traffic information online. This can include cameras, incident information, and/or road closures. Perform a Google search similar to the following:

California dot
Tennessee dot
New York dot

5. Shop over the Internet with No Shipping Costs

When done properly, shopping online can save you money otherwise spent on gasoline. Many shops now offer free USA shipping (restrictions may apply) if you spend a certain amount of money, increasing your savings! Some online shopping sites with free shipping offers at the time this article was written (listed for informational purposes only) are:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Shoes.com - http://www.shoes.com/
Tower Records - http://www.towerrecords.com/
World of Watches - http://www.worldofwatches.com/
Zappos (shoes) - http://www.zappos.com/

MSN Shopping has a dedicated "Free Shipping Center" directory with even more businesses - http://shopping.msn.com/content/shp/?ctid=18

Though fuel prices rise, let the Internet help you cope. Compare gas prices online. Arrive at your destinations quicker and cheaper using on-line maps. Find nearby businesses with near-address searching, conserving gas. Shorten your commute time with online travel information. And, travel less often by taking advantage of online shopping with free shipping. Use these Internet techniques to stop spending your money on higher gas prices.

Copyright 2006 Andrew Malek.

Andrew Malek is the owner of the MalekTips computer and technology help site at http://malektips.com/. MalekTips offers over two thousand tips on saving time and money and getting more enjoyment out of your computer, digital camera, and the Internet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Malek

What is A Plug In Hybrid Car

The Benefits Of Driving A Plug In Hybrid Car
By Gregg Hall

Who would have thought we would have cars already that you plug in to recharge? The new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles also called PHEVs come with an extra battery but you can also charge them by lugging them in to an electrical outlet. The ability to plug in is optional since the car also has a gas engine. There are many economic advantages of these types of hybrids over regular automobiles. You can use the plug-in hybrid regularly on short trips and due to the fact that the gas engine only kicks in when it absolutely has to the fuel efficiency is fantastic.

These plug-in hybrids look and operate like regular non-hybrid cars and get this, they can be plugged into a normal 120 volt outlet, so you can recharge it at home or at a parking garage that has electricity available. Most of these cars can travel up to 60 miles on just the charged battery, since this is well beyond the daily roundtrip for most Americans you could drive everyday and never have to use gas! Just keep some fuel in the tank in case you run out of juice. More than likely you could drive all month long and never have to fill your tank more than once as long as you keep the vehicle charged.

Since the plug-in hybrid vehicles use mainly electricity instead of gas they are better for the environment and have much better fuel economy. If you plug the car in every night you can lower harmful emissions by nearly half. This vehicle gives off no bad emissions at all when it is running on electricity only.

MSRP for plug-in hybrids are as much as twenty percent more than regular hybrid cars and the reason for this is primarily due to the requirement of a larger battery size. As the demand and sales for these vehicles increases you will actually see a reduction in price as it becomes cheaper to obtain the batteries because of the larger volume. Even with the higher prices you will save enough in fuel costs in most cases to make up for it if you drive on a daily basis for work or school.

According to studies done on product feasibility, it is believed that the plug-in hybrid will be extremely popular as it has been determined that people would generally prefer to charge the cars at home as opposed to having to go to gas stations for fuel. Still, at this point the Big Three of Detroit and other large automakers aren't showing any signs of exuberance over the vehicle and are instead focusing on regular hybrid cars.

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about cars and car polish at http://www.ultimatepolish.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

Are Hybrid Sports Cars Possible

Get Ready For The Arrival Of Hybrid Sports Cars
By Gregg Hall

Now I can get excited about hybrid cars. The industry is finally thinking about the people that don't want to sacrifice performance for gas mileage. The Japanese as always it seems are leading the way in this new segment of the hybrid industry working on cars that feature lithium batteries and electric motors. Incredible as it may seem there is a report that there is at least one sports car under development that is capable of producing 470 horsepower!

Hydrogen fueled cars are also being developed as well and it seems that Mazda is putting a lot of research into this segment using its rotary engine. Mazda has been working on being able to produce a hydrogen burning car for years and hopefully they will be able to do it without giving up performance.

The hybrid that seems to have the most promise currently is from the Japanese automaker giant, Toyota. Their Priapus is a normal gas-electric hybrid that is capable of accelerating from zero to sixty in under 4 seconds which seems to be the equivalent of the 4 minute mile for performance cars. The car also still maintains decent fuel economy getting over thirty miles to the gallon. The 70k price tag will make it less than affordable for most and it will be tough to make up for it in gas savings. Personally for another 10k I would have to buy the new totally electric car coming out next summer from the new Tesla Motors that will give you a real opportunity to recoup the investment.

The hybrid industry isn't being dominated by just the Japanese; a couple of former designers from Jaguar are working on a V10 version of the hybrid that has even received grants from the government in England to help them bring the car to production.

Nations all over the world are instituting higher standards for fuel efficiency to try to force automakers into making cars with better fuel economy. With gas prices continuing to rise and the ever present instability in the Middle East you can expect to see more attention to be paid to hybrid research as well as other alternatives. On top of all of the savings we will begin to see some of the negative effects that gas burning cars have done to the economy.

With the recent trend to offer sports cars from the hybrid camps and the newly unveiled Tesla concept car being built by 2007 all fears that sports cars were headed the way of the designer are disappearing. We will see high performance sports cars that will offer the best performance imaginable along with great fuel economy or not using gas at all!

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more articles about cars and car care products at http://www.5starshine.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

The Advantages Of Driving A Hybrid Car

Benefits of Hybrid Automobiles
By David Maillie

High fuel prices and concerns over the environment have inspired more people than ever to go in search of alternative energy sources. The internal combustion engine is considered to be the biggest polluter on the planet. Hybrid automobiles have been gaining attention and popularity as a result of these concerns. Most manufacturers either currently offer these vehicles or are in the process of developing them.

There are two types of hybrids: series hybrids and parallel hybrids. The parallel kind has a fuel tank for the gas engine and batteries for the electric motor. Both the engine and the electric motor can turn the transmission and power the vehicle. The small gas engine runs the car and the electric motor comes on when needed to boost power. This is typically needed for increasing speed, merging and passing other vehicles. Honda currently uses this technology.

Series hybrids have a gas engine that powers the generator. The generator then charges the batteries and powers the electric motor. The gasoline engine doesn’t power the vehicle on its own. The electric motor runs all the time and the gas engine comes on only when needed. This vehicle gets better mileage around town, where the electric motor is doing most of the work. Ford and Toyota currently use this technology.

Hybrid cars get significantly better gas mileage than the traditional internal combustion engine. Most get between 20 and 30 miles per gallon more than standard automobiles. All hybrids shut off the gas engine automatically when the car is stopped. This saves fuel and is better for the environment. When you press the gas pedal, the engine turns back on automatically. The gas engine will also come on to start charging the batteries when they become low on power.

Because less gasoline is burned in these vehicles, there is less pollution causing emissions released into the atmosphere. In addition, there is a lower level of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Many scientists and environmentalists link carbon dioxide to global warming.

Parts of a Hybrid Vehicle:

o Gas engine: the engine is smaller and more energy efficient than engines in traditional vehicles.
o Fuel tank: the fuel tank is also smaller and holds less gasoline. Since these cars burn less, a smaller tank is plenty to power the vehicle.
o Electric Motor: the electric motor acts as both a motor and a generator. The motor takes energy from the batteries to power the car for acceleration. When you slow down, the energy is returned to the batteries, which are then automatically recharged.
o Batteries: a series of batteries store energy needed to power the electric motor.
o Transmission: in most hybrids, the transmission works to propel the car forward in a similar way as in traditional gasoline powered vehicles.

Hybrids recover energy from the electric motor to the battery. When you step on the brake, the energy from the motor is transmitted back to the battery. This process is known as regenerative braking. This helps to recharge the batteries and keep them in good working order.

The aerodynamic designs of the hybrids help in their energy efficiency. Look at pictures of the various hybrids on the market. The shape of the vehicle is intentional. It reduces the frontal area of the car, which reduces the drag on the car when it moves through the air.

Lightweight materials are used on hybrid cars. This is also intentional. The more a car weighs, the more energy is needed to propel the vehicle forward. This is one reason SUVs use so much more gas than other cars. Lighter materials are used to reduce the overall weight of the car and in turn, decrease the energy that is needed to run it.

The tires on these vehicles are specially designed to increase efficiency. Stiffer materials are used in the construction and the tires are inflated to a higher pressure. This ensures optimum efficiency and conserves energy. These tires have about half as much drag as regular tires.

Automobile manufacturers are always looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency. Technology is being continually developed to increase the efficiency and performance of these vehicles. Some of the coming improvements include: increased fuel economy, more safety features, better performance and comfort.

Your new hybrid automobile is an investment that you will want to protect. Keep the exterior looking great with regular washing and waxing to protect the finish of the car. Don’t overlook the headlights when performing exterior maintenance. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return cloudy headlights to like new condition. Learn more about this product at www.mdwholesale.com.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Maillie

Why I Shouldn't Drive With Both Feet

Don't Drive With Your Feet On The Brake & The Gas!
By Dr. Gary S. Goodman

I’m one of many children across America whose moms and dads drove their cars with two feet: one on the brake and the other on the gas.

I suppose this became a widespread practice after the advent of the automatic transmission. It’s predecessor, of course, the manual trans, requires two (or more!) feet to manipulate.

Anyway, this habit of two-footed driving is emblematic of what most of us do with our daily lives. We stop-and-go in fits and starts toward our goals.

It takes more time for us to reach our destinations; and the “ride,” the pleasantness of the overall experience is diminished, tremendously.

One of the key ways we do this is by setting a goal, or by agreeing to do something at the request of somebody else, and then by holding back, at least a little in our execution.

For example, my accountant always asks me to organize my documents before tax time, to make it easier and faster to do my returns.

I hate this kind of work! To me, I’d rather get nearly anything else done that sifting through papers, receipts, and miscellaneous clippings, organizing them into piles, rubber banding them, and then sending them off to him.

So, I do a little, get distracted, do a little more, get distracted gain, and continue this way until I get just enough done to satisfy him.

Like a little kid who drags his feet when he has to go to a relative’s house, I make it harder than it has to be.

That’s just one of my “two-footed” driving habits.

What I should be doing, instead, is letting go of holding back. Once I’m in the driver’s seat with any project, I need to just keep driving toward my destination without stopping.

Well, this is one of my resolutions, and I thought I would share it with you.

I couldn’t think of a better opportunity, now that tax time is coming up!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Gary_S._Goodman

What Is The Tornado Fuel Saver. Does The Tornado Fuel Saver Work?

Tornado Fuel Saver
By Bryan Super

I am sure you have heard the commercial. Buy the "Tornado Fuel Saver" and make your next tank of gas last longer. The Tornado Fuel Saver is a gadget that you put into your fuel line near you engine that is supposed to enhance your miles per gallon. WIth the concerns of rising gas prices, people are looking for ways to save money on the fuel that they purchase so they fall into the trap.

I have tested the Tornado Fuel Saver and I can say, in my opinion, that it does not do that much. At most, I saved .1 miles per gallon. That is far from what they advertise on their fuel saver commercials. I should also mention that many automotive places do not sell the Tornado Fuel Saver because they have seen that it does not work as well as many hope and people would bring it back and request a refund.

If you do not want to drop money and try the Tornado Fuel Saver for yourself then here are a few ways to save fuel:

Drive the speed limit. Driving fast burns gas more quickly. Do not drive around with large items in or on your car. The lighter your car the less gas you will burn. Check your tires every so often to make sure they are inflated correctly. Low tires cause more gas to burn.

While these methods will help you fuel savers out a little, there is another method which is amazing. You can make this device by yourself and save up to 30% on your gas mileage. This fuel saving method actually works and the cost is less than half of what the Tornado Fuel Saver pricetag is.

Tornado Fuel Saver Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Super

What Should I Know About Fuel Cell Cars?

Fuel Cell Cars
By Marius Ciobanu

Fuel Cell cars are the cars of the future. A lot of research has been done with electric cars, but until the battery costs go down, the driving range goes up and the weight of the batteries goes down, this will not be an option for the general public, unlike the popular hybrid cars. A hybrid car has a gas engine and an electric engine. The gas can continually recharge the electric batteries.

In a fuel cell car, the fuel used is compressed or liquid hydrogen. A fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen to water, and produces electricity. Due to ongoing problems with storing liquid or compressed hydrogen, currently, mostly buses are using fuel cell technology. They can hold large tanks of compressed hydrogen on their roofs. The type of hydrogen fuel cell currently used for buses and cars is the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC).

The fuel cell uses a catalyst, which is a platinum powder or compound, to facilitate the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen. The catalyst is spread as a thin coat on a large surface for maximum effect.

Why are there problems using hydrogen as a fuel? Except at high compression, and/or low temperatures, hydrogen is a gas. It is the lightest gas, and would tend to have high leakage through pipelines. Due to its high energy content, it is also very explosive. There was the explosion of the Hindenburg in 1937 in New Jersey. That was a hydrogen lifted dirigible which went on fire. Due to the use of heavy safety equipment to compress hydrogen, this is why fuel cell technology is first being used in buses.

Another option being developed is to use hydrocarbons that are hydrogen rich as the basis for hydrogen fuel cell technology. Hydrocarbons are compounds of hydrogen and carbon. The leading candidates are CH4, which is methane gas, a pure form of natural gas, and methanol, a liquid alcohol compound, CH4OH. Both methanol and methane can be converted to hydrogen gas using a chemical reformer. Reformers have a drawback in that they lower fuel efficiency by as much as half. There is increased miniaturization of chemical reformers for automobiles.

However, other compounds are being experimented with that are easier to catalytically convert to hydrogen for a fuel cell and can be more easily stored in a vehicle’s fuel tank. An example of the type of system that could work is being experimented on at Daimler-Chrysler. It involves simple borate, borax, a compound chemical that is produced and used for soap. A running prototype minivan was displayed at the North American Auto Show in 2002. The hydrogen fuel cell can run on hydrogen that is liberated in a simple chemical reaction from sodium borohydride. This chemical can be made in refineries from a combination of borax soap and Hydrogen gas. The vehicle could run on sodium borohydride, which would be processed in the car to yield hydrogen gas for the fuel cell. The only exhaust product would be water (H20). The other waste product would be borax (a form of soap), which would then have to be reprocessed to sodium borohydride, to refuel the car again. Infrastructure to produce hydrogen from methane or ammonia and then produce sodium borohydride would be necessary at your local refueling station.

Saving The Planet Seems Like an Enormous Job! But We can Do It Together One Step at a Time! Take THAT First Step and Signup to Our Green Tip of The Day Newsletter NOW!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marius_Ciobanu

Tips To Buying Or Selling A Gas Station

Gas Stations For Sale
By Damian Sofsian

Are you thinking of selling your gas station? Or looking for gas station for sale that you could turn into a business?

Look no further – just browse through the Internet. There are online companies that assist clients from around the world in selling their gas-related properties, and also help introduce those in search for gas stations, convenience stores and car washes to an international network of sellers and buyers. These online companies cooperate with real estate and business brokers all over the world through a transnational referral system.

Some companies offer their services to selected gas distributors, multi station owners and individual sellers and buyers. They provide clients with as much information as possible for gas-related businesses that might help them decide intelligently.

Beware of scams

There are a lot of financial scam artists who pose both as buyers and sellers and in the internet to contact potential victims. In order to protect their clients from internet fraud and real estate scams, most online as station broker companies verify and identify the financial capabilities of persons and organizations offering to purchase or sell gas-related businesses.

Worthy investments

It’s no wonder that a lot of people are interested in owning and trading gas stations. When managed properly, gas stations make profitable businesses with fast return on investments and relative stability.

A gas station business is also highly expandable – some gas stations are equipped with car washes that offer services free of charge (or at a discounted price), depending on the amount of fuel purchased. A number of gas stations also have small fast food outlets inside their property. These are usually express versions with limited seating capacity and limited menu listing, though some are regular sized with spacious seating. Extra businesses such as these almost always double the revenues of a gas station.

Gas Stations provides detailed information on Gas Stations, Cheap Gas Stations, Vintage Gas Stations, Gas Stations For Sale and more. Gas Stations is affiliated with Defensive Driving Course .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian

Explain Gas Prices And Price Gouging

3 Key Questions About Gas Prices and Price-gouging?
By Mike Makler

nd profit. Even the State Taxes are often higher then the Retail Markup.

2 - Why do gas prices vary so much State to State ?

The biggest reason especially in the case of Neighboring states like New York and New Jersey or Illinois and Missouri is state taxes. Gulf Cost States (Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas) have lower gas prices then the rest of the country because they are closet to the Gulf of Mexico where about 1/2 of the Gas is Produced.

3 - What Should You do if you suspect price-gouging?

Price-gouging is a very sensitive subject. Just because one gas station is charging 10%, 20% or even 30% more then others in the same area doesn't mean it is price-gouging? Before you report price-gouging check with websites like Gasbuddies.com to determine the national average price and your local price. Clearly if you paid 2 or 3 times the local price you were gouged. If you pay 50% or more above the average price it may be harder to determine price-gouging. If you feel you were significantly over charged for gas then save your receipt and contact your State Attorney General.

The Department of Energy has a web site (gaswatch.energy.gov) where consumers can report suspected price-gouging

About the Author
Mike Makler Offers Financial Services (Mortgages,Life Insurance, Annuity) in Florissant Missouri which is in North St. Louis County Missouri Just Across the Bridge from St. Charles Missouri

Call Mike at 314 398-5547

Visit Mike's Web Page:
http://ewguru.com/finance

For Missouri Specific Insurance and Loan Questions:
http://ewguru.com/Mo-Finance

Get Mike's Newsletter Here
http://ewguru.com/fin-news

Copyright © 2005-2006 Mike Makler

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Makler

Explain Gas Prices And Price Gouging

3 Key Questions About Gas Prices and Price-gouging?
By Mike Makler

nd profit. Even the State Taxes are often higher then the Retail Markup.

2 - Why do gas prices vary so much State to State ?

The biggest reason especially in the case of Neighboring states like New York and New Jersey or Illinois and Missouri is state taxes. Gulf Cost States (Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas) have lower gas prices then the rest of the country because they are closet to the Gulf of Mexico where about 1/2 of the Gas is Produced.

3 - What Should You do if you suspect price-gouging?

Price-gouging is a very sensitive subject. Just because one gas station is charging 10%, 20% or even 30% more then others in the same area doesn't mean it is price-gouging? Before you report price-gouging check with websites like Gasbuddies.com to determine the national average price and your local price. Clearly if you paid 2 or 3 times the local price you were gouged. If you pay 50% or more above the average price it may be harder to determine price-gouging. If you feel you were significantly over charged for gas then save your receipt and contact your State Attorney General.

The Department of Energy has a web site (gaswatch.energy.gov) where consumers can report suspected price-gouging

About the Author
Mike Makler Offers Financial Services (Mortgages,Life Insurance, Annuity) in Florissant Missouri which is in North St. Louis County Missouri Just Across the Bridge from St. Charles Missouri

Call Mike at 314 398-5547

Visit Mike's Web Page:
http://ewguru.com/finance

For Missouri Specific Insurance and Loan Questions:
http://ewguru.com/Mo-Finance

Get Mike's Newsletter Here
http://ewguru.com/fin-news

Copyright © 2005-2006 Mike Makler

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Makler

Gas Scooters Perfect For Cash Strapped Motorists

Gas Scooter
By Terry Price

A gas scooter is a ton of fun and will save you many hard-earned dollars on gasoline. With fuel prices soaring, the scooter is becoming very popular for a commuting vehicle or just simply going to and from the corner store to run a few errands. With the vast selection available in almost every shape and size it is easy to find exactly the scooter that will fit your needs. They also come in the from of karts, skateboards, and choppers. Entry level scooters will usually have a 20+ cc motor and can reach speeds of 18 + MPH. Even if you’re a bit on the heavy side, it can carry a remarkable 350-pound capacity. Now isn’t that something! You will find this gas scooter is most suitable for ages 10 and up and is more adult friendly because of its direct drive system offering a better power band. Then there are intermediate sizes with motor sizes in the 35cc and higher range that will carry you along at 18 plus MPH and have a 250-pound capacity. Many will have removable seats and centrifugal clutches and will fold into a size that might even fit into your suitcase if you push hard enough! You will find tires in the 8 to 9-inch range and will also sport disc brakes for your safety. Looking into the bigger gas scooter models, there then comes the 50cc plus size with it’s 350-pound capacity and will wisk you nicely along at 28 + MPH. These scooters come with 9 or 10-inch tires and include front and rear disc brakes, and also include the removable seats.

When it comes to performance modifications, like most other motorized vehicles the sky is the limit. You can get larger motors for them that sport 2.5 HP and can offer you speeds in excess of 35 MPH. The next scooter, usually reserved for the younger person or anyone with a sense of adventure is the off-road or racing scooter. This gas scooter is a ton of fun and is recommended for ages over 13 years old. Here is some great information on the gas scooter: http://www.motorized-scooters-wholesale.com/gas-powered-scooters.html

With these off road or competition scooters, speeds of 40 MPH or higher are attainable and most come with dual front shocks. Some standard items such as front and rear disc brakes are common. The have a great torque capacity and will even lug a 350-pound person up a hill without a problem. Here is a site with lots of gas scooter information to browse through: http://www.motorized-scooters-wholesale.com/110-gasoline-scooter.html

By Terry Price- Remember to visit http://www.motorized-scooters-wholesale.com for a great resource on all kinds of scooters, articles, and even performance equipment. When your pocket book says save money, this site directs you to wholesale sources of parts and gas scooter accessories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Price

Gas Trucks Versus Diesel Trucks

A Look At Gas Trucks Versus Diesel Trucks
By Gregg Hall

If you plan to use your truck like a car, desiring quick, quiet acceleration and rarely ever haul a heavy load and don't plan to it for a long time,you may want a gasoline engine. Gas engines run smoother, fuel is easier to find, and gas engines start easier in cold weather.

If you plan to use your truck for towing, value good fuel economy and plan to put plenty of miles on it, you may want a diesel. The price to buy a diesel truck is really high, although they can offer you a lot in return.

Below, you'll find the leading vehicle manufacturers and what they offer you.

Dodge

The 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks are the newest 3/4 and 1 ton trucks on the road. Back in 2002, the Ram didn't have enough power with the 245 HP 9.5L. Dodge promised more powerful engines for the 2500/3500 platform and they delivered on that promise.

The new base engine is the 5.7L gasoline V-8 that's not only the most powerful engine of the group at 345 HP but also revives the well known and historical Hemi name.

Ford

Ford helped push the 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck market to where it is today when it introduced it's international engineered power stroke diesel back in 1994. Before 1994, these diesels were poorly built and no match for the big gasoline engines.

From 1994 to 2002, over 70% of super duty Fords were sold with the optional 7.3L V-8 diesel engine. This engine helped to put Ford among the leaders in diesel trucks, as they had more than they needed to dominate the market.

Chevrolet/GMC

The GM 2500/3500 twins Silverado HD and Sierra HD both come standard with GM's 6.0L gas engine V-8. This engine is ideal for 3/4 ton trucks where towing isn't a concern. The upgrades start with the 8.1L gas V-8 that's based on Chevrolet's venerable big block engine.

Over the years, diesel trucks have proven to be effecient with mileage, great for towing, and easy on maintenance. Unlike gas engines, diesel engines do not have spark plugs, which means you won't need to get them tuned up near as much as gasoline engines.

For those who like to haul heavy loads on a frequent basis, diesel is the way to go. You can get quite a few miles per gallon, and diesel trucks are built to go 250,000 miles or more before the engine needs to be rebuit,making them a purchase that is more than worth your money.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Get your truck parts at http://www.autopartsplusmore.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

Why Gas Mileage Is So Important

Gas Mileage and its Importance
By Ian Henman

Whoever you are, you're bound to feel the effects of the increase in the price of gas. The higher cost at the pump has left many families needing to tighten their purse strings. One way to cut your costs is to increase your gas mileage. Ok, so this may sound like an obvious solution, but there are loads of easy ways to improve your gas mileage.

One of the best ways to improve gas mileage and economy is to keep your vehicle maintained in good condition. Try to make sure the tires are always fully inflated, as too little (or too much) pressure can have a significant impact on your gas mileage. Ensure that when your oil is changed you get your air filter inspected. Having a clean, working air filter also has an impact gas mileage. Making sure your car is well kept not only helps efficiency with gas mileage, but also helps ensure your car lasts that bit longer. With people keeping a closer eye on their budgets, it's a good idea to make you car last that bit longer.

You can also increase your gas mileage by watching your driving habits. There are several routine habits of many drivers that can have an impact on gas mileage. The main change one can make to help improve gas mileage is to reduce your speed. By driving at or below the speed limit you can singifcantly improve your gas mileage, not to mention reducing your likelihood of having an accident. When driving in the city, it's a good idea to try and avoid sudden acceleration, which greatly decreases gas mileage. Similarly, quick and excessive breaking can also use more gas. To get the most usage out of each gallon, try to avoid these bad habits at all times. Riding the break is a common practice of younger or new drivers suffering from a lack of confidence and is a bad habit to develop, particularly in relation to fuel consumption.

If you are looking to buy a new car, it is a good idea to consider one of these new hybrid cars which promote efficiency in gas mileage. Nowadays, there are loads of models to choose from, thanks to the recent rise in gas pricing, Several of which get fantastic gas mileage. The hybrid car is not only good for gas mileage, and improving in appearance and performance all the time. The extortionate price of gas has led many manufactures to step up production of hybrid cars to help consumers achieve greater gas mileage. Due to the increasing numbers of hybrid cars, there is no longer the long waiting lists before purchasing such a car. Many dealers will now even have several hybrid cars in their showroom for you to choose from.

As well as changing your bad driving habits, you can also the number of times you use your car to improve gas mileage. Why not walk or ride a bike for shorter distances? Try also to incorporate multiple destinations into the same trip which will inevitably decrease the number of miles you have to drive. By making these small changes you can really save money at the gas pump by improving your gas mileage.

So think about it - with these minimal changes, you really can improve your gas mileage. It won't cost you anything, nor will it cause you any hassle, but it could save you an absolute fortunate.

If you'd like to read more information about gas mileage and vehicles please take the time to visit our website at Automotive Tips

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Henman

Global Positioning Services (GPS) Improves Gas Mileage

How GPS Saves You Gas
By Simon Wyryzowski

Unless you've been living on a deserted island (and under a rock at the same time) you realize that gas prices are not everyone's cup of tea - unless you are an oil tycoon.

For those who live in big cities where mass transportation is widely accessible, it's relatively simple to bypass this problem by opting to take them instead of using your own car to travel to and fro to work. But for the majority of us, driving is not going away anytime soon.

Having a GPS system installed in your car will reduce your gas prices. How? It will consistently giving the most direct routes to whichever location you need to go. If it's raining hard and visibility is lower than usual, a GPS can serve as a navigation partner to help you find your way home or to wherever you want to go. This saves you time and gas from spinning your wheels, potentially getting lost along the way, and giving yourself a migraine in the process.

Not only does a GPS give you accurate directions, it also provides for estimates as to how it will take to get to a certain destination via a particular path. You can then compare paths and time estimates. When you take all of this into consideration, you will realize that paying a few hundred for a brand new GPS unit is not much considering how much it will save you year in and year out.

I mean let's take a modest example. Let's say it costs you $30 each time you go fill up your tank. Imagine that before getting your GPS system you had to get you tank filled on average once a week. That's $1,520 for an entire year.

Now on the flip side, let's pretend you got you GPS unit up and rolling. With improved efficiency in getting to your destinations, you effectively have reduced the amount of wasted gas as a result of not getting sidetracked or getting lost while driving. Perhaps you will only have to get your tank filled up once every two weeks instead- in which case you will only be spending $760 a year for gas- or a savings of 50%.

These are just sample numbers, but you can see how you can get a return on your investment over and over again simply by purchasing a GPS system which ranges anywhere from $100 or so to $1000 or more. But you don't need to get the fanciest model right out of the starting gate. Anything within the $200-$400 range should give you a very robust system in general.

GPS live tracking services will allow you to keep tabs on your most valuable belongings.

http://www.gpszoom.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Wyryzowski

Tips on RV Gas Mileage

RV Gas Mileage - Simple Tools to Not EAT It on GAS

When going on a camping trip, the best vehicle to take on the trip would be a RV. An RV is the acronym for Recreation Vehicle and is actually a towable or motorized vehicle that is used for both transportation and as a temporary living quarters. They are usually sold by recreational vehicle dealers. There are also many RV lease vehicles for one time use of the RV found in local RV dealers. It is also possible to an rent RV online if you require one.

With the rising cost of gasoline, it is always better to check on the RV gas mileage when choosing the right RV for your camping trip. Sometimes people work out being able to afford an activity, but issues like the cost of gasoline, a VERY REAL expense, are forgotten! Filling up your car every couple hundred miled for $50-75 will definitely put a damper on your expedition, if not planned for in advance. With an RV, you MUST figure out how far you can expect to get for your dollar. Of course, you cannot expect too good a mileage as RV gas mileage is rather low when compared to other vehicles. This is because of it being a huge and heavy vehicle. However, there are some tricks you could do to increase the RV gas mileage.

You could check the tire pressure of the tires of the RV using a RV pressure regulator as tires with too low tire pressure give a low mileage. Limiting the use of the air conditioner in the RV will also help increasing the RV gas mileage. If your RV has extra RV trailer accessories, it is very likely that the RV gas mileage will be low because of the extra weight. When traveling, avoid accelerating and braking unnecessarily and this will increase the RV gas mileage. Of course, the better the route is, the better your mileage will be, So when plotting out your camping trip, route it using the most efficient routes possible.

You can raise the mileage considerably by making a visit to the garage before going on a camping trip. Here the mechanic can have a look at the spark plugs and adjust and replace the spark plugs as necessary. Any fouled fuel injectors in the RV, when replaced will increase the the miles for your money. With the implementation of all these steps, you will find that the RV gas mileage will increase considerably, to provide you with a better mileage on your camping trip.

To receive a free copy of the 'Ultimate What to Take Camping List', visit Dependable Camping Equipment

Sam Jordan

Sam Jordan is a creative webmaster / content publisher with many interests. He is the webmaster of Dependable-Camping-Equipment.com in addition to many other sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Jordan

Truck Bed Covers Are On Drag On Fuel Economy And Gas Mileage

Truck Bed Covers Increase Gas Mileage
By Jerry Predaris

In addition to the security, Truck Bed Covers offer an increase of over 10% in fuel economy. This is excellent news with current fuel prices. Studies show by reducing drag due to airflow in the truck bed with a tonneau cover will result in an 11% decrease in drag as compared to a truck bed without a cover. The studies also revealed a canopy actually increase drag and fuel consumption. Results will vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

This is how it works when airflow passes the truck’s cab. The flow separated behind the cab and enters the truck bed resulting in drag if the bed is not covered. Replacing the tailgate with a cargo net results in increase drag compared to removing the tailgate, which had an increase but not as much as the cargo net. The best method of decreasing the drag, thus increasing fuel economy, is to install a tonneau cover over the truck bed.

There are now more options available for customer to improve mileage while adding security and style.

There are conservatively 500,000 trucks with covers on the road everyday and based on the average gas savings, American’s save 60 million gallons of gas per year or approximately $100,000. Studies show the average truck owner drives 18,000 miles per year. At 15 mpg that comes to 1,000 gallons of gas. At a minimum 10% savings you would save around 120 gallons a year (and many reports show it to be more like 12%). You can see why it would not take too many months to have your new truck cover pay for itself.

We have a huge variety of truck covers and automotive accessories. http://www.truck-bed-covers-4u.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Predaris

A Review Of The Discover Platinum Gas Credit Card

Discover Platinum Gas Card
By Jeremy Biberdorf

The Discover Platinum Gas Card is another credit card that offers gas rebates, as well as rebates on other purchases. You can use this credit card to earn cash back at any gas station anytime. Every purchase you make with this credit card qualifies for cash back.

They claim a “Full 5% Cashback Bonus® on Gas purchases throughout the year*” and “Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all your other purchases.*”, but you have to read the fine print:

“Each year, earn a full 5% on your first $1,200 in gas purchases. In addition, earn a full 1% on other purchases in excess of $3,000; your first $1,500 in other purchases earns .25% and your second $1,500 in other purchases earns .50%. Gas purchases in excess of $1,200 earn Cashback Bonus at the same rate as other purchases.”

So you actually only get 5% on your first $1200 in gas purchases each year. If you don’t have your calculator, that is $60 in cash rebates at 5%. After that your rebate percentage drops a lot. Depending on your spending habits, that could average out to only about 2% cash back through the year.

This credit card could be a good option for someone looking for a second credit card to use combined with an existing card with similar introductory bonuses. By using multiple credit cards and watching your spending, you could be averaging 5% or higher cash back throughout the year. Maybe you even have a different rewards credit card to use after your first $1200 in gas purchases. Another limit of this card is “Purchases made at select warehouse clubs, discount stores and their affiliates earn .25%.” So if you frequent such stores, don’t expect 5% or even 1% cash back.

There are no limits on the cash rebates you can earn and the rebates never expire. You can increase your bonuses by redeeming for gift cards or certificates from their partners. You do have to redeem your cash rebates in $20 increments. As rebates do not expire, the only way you would lose rebates is if you do not have card activity for 36 months or you close the account.

The Discover Platinum Gas Card has no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. With credit cards from Discover, you can qualify for a regular APR rate as low as 10.99%. You also get $0 Fraud Liability.

Overall this is a very good credit card, but I do recommend using a secondary card once the yearly gas purchase limit has been met. It is a great card for someone looking for cash back everywhere and a low interest rate.

Check out http://www.gasolinecreditcards.net for a comparison of different gas rebate credit cards, including The Discover Platinum Gas Card. Click for more card details and a secure online application.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Biberdorf

Tips On How To Estimate Your Cars Gas Mileage

Cars Gas Mileage Estimation
By: Ronald Trainer

When I was a kid I never kept concentration, nor learned, nor was given any teaching about finances, technical or mechanical or monetary or other duties, thus the thought of keeping a tab on one’s car’s gas mileage never crossed my mind. It was only recently that I took the time to learn and paid attention to, how to record my car’s gas mileage and also learned- HOW it would be beneficial.

My new tutor was my friend, a retired grocery store clerk. I would accompany him on his Saturday errands. One of which would be filling his van’s gas tank. You can find other automotive related material at http://www.hubcapreport.com. His activity once a week would be to go to the gas station, fill up his tank, and then write down the car’s mileage and amount of gas he had just put in, all this on a small hand-size spiral notebook which kept in the van’s glove box.

My friend was a great guy, but at the same time, a mastermind by anyone’s standards. He was always up to some calculations or the other. Looking for his pen in his nerdy pocket protectors to scribble something down- an innovation or scientific idea or history-based. So I thought that he used to note down the car’s gas mileage just to keep appease his character or to ease the mental demons that he possessed

Before I had purchased a used car for myself I had got into gear to carry out research of various aspects of a car like that emissions standards ratings, a car’s reputation for deterioration and then finally to a car’s emission. That is when it struck me that my friend did not record his car’s gas mileage to feed his mental hunger but to actually to pay attention to his car’s gas mileage.

I had initial dreams of buying a truck, or a hot rod or even a sports car, but finally bought a car that I LOVE, a used Saab. I then immediately drove it to the gas station as I remembered that the person who I had bought the car from told me that it needed gas.

After I finished filling the gas in the tank, I noted down the date, the mileage and the amount of gas put in. I carry out the same activity every time I fill gas and thus am able to keep a tab on my car’s gas mileage. The information of car mileages for Saabs and any array of other cars is available on sites like http://epa.gov, which people could check before then go in for a new or used car.

The gas prices at the time when I am writing this article, i.e. April 2006 are 25 cents higher that the prices at the same time last year. Thus the prices could range from $2.60 to about $2.62 a gallon. Now I realize the reasoning of recording one’s gas milage.

About the Author:

In Ronald's spare time he works with the following internet portals: Hobbies For Fun Recreation And Fun

Read more articles by: Ronald Trainer

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Watch Out For Scams With High Gas Prices

High Gas Prices Inspire Con Artists
By: Dave Larsen

The high price of gasoline brings out the worst in some people. It also brings out the gullibility in others. A spate of rip-offs have been uncovered recently, all designed to take advantage of people's desperation to lower their fuel bills.

Texas based company BioPerformance, Inc., was shut down in May for being an illegal pyramid scheme and marketing a "magic gas pill" that wasn't magic at all--unless moth balls are magic.

Drawing on the desire for cheap gas at a time when gas prices are at record heights, BioPerformance claimed to have a "magic gas pill" that would increase fuel efficiency by 30% and reduce harmful emissions by half. In independent laboratory tests at the University of Texas and a university in Florida, the gas pills were discovered to be nothing but moth balls! Moth balls not only won't improve gas mileage, they can actually hurt your car's engine instead of helping it. Moth balls are also deadly to people, although the Bioperformance bottle claimed the pills were non-toxic.

"These claims are bogus," said Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. "The pill does absolutely nothing to improve gas mileage. The company is merely a smokescreen to trigger the recruitment of more and more paying members into what appears to be an illegal pyramid scheme.”

Along with promoting a product that is dangerous, BioPerformance was found to be an illegal pyramid scheme masquerading under the disguise of a multi-level marketing company. In legitimate multi-level marketing, profit comes from how much product a person sells; in illegal pyramid schemes, profit comes from recruiting more people into the program.

According to the BioPerformance website, at the time the company was shut down, it had 4,500 members in Texas and $25 million in sales. All that was built in just five months, which goes to show how desperate people are to save money at the gas pump.

You must be careful, there are very few product on the market today that will help you get better gas mileage. Bioperformance is one of the worst cases and fortunately, they've been put out of business and their owners are in serious legal trouble.

About the Author:

Dave Larsen has worked in the alternative energy business for 20+ years. Originally trained as an auto mechanic, Dave left that business because he was tired of shop managers ordering him to rip people off. Dave now offers tips to help people save money on fuel bills and not be ripped off. http://www.energy-efficient-car.com

Read more articles by: Dave Larsen

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Beware of Consumer Products Claiming To Boost Gas Mileage

High Gas Prices Bring Flood Of Bad Products
By: Dave Larsen

In a world where gas prices are at record heights, there are lying scumbags who will take advantage of your desire to get more miles to the gallon. Lately there have been a flood of products on the market claiming to boost gas mileage, but very few of them actually work.

First, there are fuel additives like the Platinum Gas Save and the BioPerformance pill. Neither works, and the BioPerformance pill has been proven to be nothing but moth balls, which are toxic.

Then there are the Fuel Genie and Tornado, which are mounted in the air flow meter of your car. They are supposed to affect the way air is sucked into the car, but have yet to be proven effective in improving mileage. However, altering the air flow of your car can make it overheat, possibly causing permanent damage.

There is also the Predator and many similar knock-off products. The predator costs a hefty $400 and reprograms your car to ignite the fuel earlier, which makes the fuel burn longer. Though the initial aim is to increase horsepower, customers have reported getting better gas mileage as a happy side effect. And these products DO work like they say. But, they're risky. When the engine burns less fuel by this method, there is the risk of overheating it. Since the car is using less gas, it doesn't have the ability to cool itself properly. Again, this can cause your engine to overheat and perhaps even ruin it completely.

No one want to save a few bucks on gas just to blow their engine!

Many mechanics are wary of all these additives and gizmos. "Yeah, you might get a little better gas mileage out of it, but you might have just taken 50,000 miles of life off the motor by trying to do it," said Larry Perry, the Magic Mechanic radio host.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been looking for and testing gas-saving products for over thirty years and has found very few that meet its standards. So be careful.

About the Author:

Dave Larsen has worked in the alternitive energy business for 20+ years. Originally trained as an auto mechanic, Dave left that field because he got tired of shop managers ordering him to rip people off. He now offers tips to people so they can save money on fuel bills. http://www.energy-efficient-car.com

Read more articles by: Dave Larsen

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

An Expose On Gas Stations

Gas Stations
By Kevin Stith

A retail establishment that sells fuels like petrol and diesel and lubricants for road motor vehicles is called a gas station. Sometimes, vehicles can be not only refueled there, but also serviced and repaired. The increase in the number of automobiles in United States led to the need of the first gas station, which was built in 1907, by Standard Oil of California.

The United States has two types of filling stations: the ones selling premium-branded gas and those selling discount-branded gas. Premium-brand gas includes international brands, like Esso, Mobil, and BP, and non-international brands like Pemex and Petro-Canada. Premium-brand filling stations accept credit cards and have their own company cards, but charge higher prices. The discount-brand stations are smaller regional chains or independent stations that offer cheaper gas. These stations usually accept cash, with only a few accepting credit cards. Gas stations in rural areas allow customers to pump gas first and pay later; however due to the high incidence of crime in urban areas, customers there have to pay first and pump gas after.

Most of the gas stations in the United States offer a choice between full-service and self-service gas stations. In full-service gas stations, an attendant operates the pump, checks the vehicle’s oil, wipes your car’s windshield, and then collects payment and a small tip. In self-service gas stations, the customer has to pump the gas himself. Until the 1970s, full service was the norm, but nowadays, not all stations offer full service and those that do, charge more for the full-service fueling. Using an open flame in a gas station is strictly forbidden because of the risk of igniting gasoline vapors.

Gas stations usually have toilets; the cleanliness and standards vary with the type of gas station. Many gas stations have convenience stores selling food, beverages, lottery tickets, motor oil, and sometimes auto parts. However, prices here are higher than those in a supermarket or discount store. Depending on state laws, some gas stations also sell wine, beer, and liquor and sometimes even allow the operation of slot and video poker machines. Some gas stations have free or discount-priced car washes, while others have small fast food outlets like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, or Wendy’s, with limited seating and menus.

Gas provides detailed information on Gas, Gas Stations, Gas Prices, Gas Scooters and more. Gas is affiliated with Propane Gas Prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith

gas

Telecommutes Increase As Gas Prices Do The Same

Telecommuting - Work from Home - Increases as Gas Prices Rise
By Jeanette Joy Fisher

It's been growing steadily over the past few years, but the trend toward telecommuting has increased significantly during the dramatic rise in gas prices. With gas hovering at $3.00/gallon, more and more employees are beginning to call in sick or take more time off because of the pinch they're feeling due to the high cost of commuting to work every day.

Recent figures compiled by the International Telework Association and Council illustrate the growing telecommuting trend. Their figures show that some 26 million Americans work from home at least one day every month, and another 22 million do part of their jobs from home a minimum of once a week.

U.S. companies are beginning to sense the cost of employee absence, and they're also beginning to see a trend toward shorter commutes. That may eventually translate into one of a couple outcomes. First, companies may be forced to move their workplaces closer to their potential workforce in able to attract and keep employees in the face of increasing fuel costs. The other alternative would be to begin allowing employees to work from home, whether fulltime or on a part-time basis.

In states that have traditionally seen employees making long commutes, such as California, a 160-mile round trip would cost drivers about $15.00/day in $3.00/gallon gas, assuming they have a reasonably fuel efficient vehicle. An SUV or other gas-guzzling vehicle would send that total much higher. Either way, such a long commute would take a large bite out of an employee's bottom line.

If the trend continues, and there's no reason to believe it won't, America will soon be known as a telecommuter nation, with a majority of workers doing their jobs from home at least one or two days a week. Many employers have begun to see the handwriting on the wall and have begun offering their employees the opportunity to telecommute in order to maintain productivity levels and to retain employees who might leave if the cost of their commute began to adversely affect them substantially enough.

Part of the reason for the growth in telecommuting is the fact that it's becoming more socially acceptable. Where it used to be the rare exception to the rule, it's not unusual at all to hear someone say that they're working from home several days a week. As the concept becomes more widespread, it's likely to pick up even more steam.

Managers used to worry about lack of control over employee productivity, but the years have proven that telecommuters are often more productive than their counterparts in the office. There are few distractions and they often work harder.

Employees are also becoming less likely to devote hours of frustrating commute time to a job. The current trend is toward shorter commutes or no commute at all. People simply don't want to sit in traffic or drive long distances the way they used to, and eventually companies will need to accommodate employee demands if they want to attract and keep quality people.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher ( http://www.jeanettefisher.com ) teaches Environmental Psychology. Free PDF report, "American's Fight Back - Ways to Save Gas" and "Just Stay Home" Campaign

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Joy_Fisher

Will Gas Prices Make Sports Cars Obsolete?

Will Advancing Technology And Gas Prices Make Sports Cars Go Away?
By Gregg Hall

There are many sports car lovers who are afraid that they will soon go the way of the dinosaur because of high fuel prices and the advances in performance technology that is enabling family sedans to compete with sports cars in quickness. While it does seem that there has been somewhat of a decline in sports cars along with increased sales of SUVs some of the current developments tell me that the vehicles we love are not going to be around in large numbers but they will still be around.

Back in the day, muscle cars ruled in the performance realm and regular sedans and trucks couldn't keep up. SUVs didn't even exist. Now with the innovations in design and engine performance and the light weight materials being used automakers are getting superior results out of smaller engines. In addition normal production vehicles now handle as good as a race car.

Some of the other issues that are causing the decline in the numbers of sports cars seen on the road include comfort and affordability. Sports cars in the truest sense are not built for comfort, they are built for speed and long road trips are no fun. The larger cars of today that still offer a sporty ride give you the best of both worlds. As far as the affordability issue goes, it is quite simple most families are just unable to afford the expense of having a car just for fun. People these days have to make use of their cars on a daily basis as it has become cost prohibitive to keep one around just as a hobby or weekend car.

In the beginning cars were used as sport, for racing across country in rallies and contests. It wasn't until much later that they became mainstream everyday drivers.

Some good news for the high end sports car market is that there are several companies that are beginning production of hybrid or electric sports cars. Some of the top companies like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Mitsubishi are working on bringing them to the open market.

The most promising one that I have seen as a true sports car in terms of performance and the fact that it is a two seater is the new totally electric roadster from Tesla Motors, a company backed by the founders of Google and Paypal. The car does 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds and it runs on laptop batteries!

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about cars and car polish at http://www.ultimatepolish.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

Fun Vacations That Can Save On Gas

Gas Saving Vacations
By Indra Books

Gas prices are up just in time to interfere with vacations, so here’s a suggestion for a well ‘designed’ vacation. Pack up the family and head out to view a historic home or a lifestyle museum. It’s fun and interesting to see how our ancestors lived. This is a great idea for kids, who are fascinated to see how people lived before ipods and computers. Younger children enjoy seeing how food was prepared and how people dressed and the kinds of toys children had a hundred or so years ago. Even teenagers can get a horrified thrill out if seeing how water had to be hand pumped and boiled to wash dishes or how a person’s whole wardrobe could be hung on a few pegs.

Our forebears were very creative in finding solutions to make their lives easier and lighten the workload. It’s interesting to see how they solved the problems of daily living-things from butter churns to room sized clothes driers, printing presses and medical supplies. There are blacksmiths and merchants homes, pioneer cabins and urban mansions. A huge range of activities are available. Children can throw tea into Boston Harbor and see Paul Revere’s house or study a working plantation. They can look into a sod house or a prairie bungalow. They can watch flour being ground or butter churned. There are seafaring communities like Mystic, Connecticut and early Spanish settlements like St. Augustine, Florida. From the west coast to the east you can visit the homes of rich and famous people from our past or the humbler homes of everyday working people.

For the gardeners there are herb gardens for medicine and food preparation, experimental gardens where new species were tried and developed and formal gardens for those who had the leisure to take a stroll around their domains.

What people thought of as stylish years ago may seem very foreign to what we like now, but they cared every bit as much about having a comfortable and elegant home as we do. They also had their decorating fads and favorite styles. This is a wonderful chance to check out floor and window treatments and furniture styles and colors. You can see an overcrowded Victorian mansion or enjoy the beginnings of the arts and crafts movement. If you can manage to see a variety of these priceless records of our national history you will come away not only with an appreciation of the way people lived but with a better idea of the styles you yourself enjoy. There are very few really new decorating styles. Most are updates or recreations of something that has gone before. There is a similar emotional appeal in a simple colonial room and a clean, balanced modern interior.

There are historic homes and whole settlements throughout the country from the very elaborate one at Williamsburg to simple farm life museums and log cabins. Most parts of the country have several of these homes within easy driving distance. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day trip. It’s easy on the pocketbook, and gives us a better idea of the people who settled our hometowns before we were born. We get a chance to look at a slower paced lifestyle and increased appreciation for our luxuries-like electric appliances, air conditioning, and easy care fabrics.

If the whole family enjoys this look into the past, you can follow up with a visit to some of the antique malls and stores to see and recognize some of the antique and collectible items which are still around. It’s fun to look at these survivors which were once vital or treasured adjuncts to everyday living.

Contributions to this article provided by Suzanne Copenhaver, ON THE GO 4 U's design consultant.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, LLC, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area, providing life management services. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops. Ms. Books is the Vice President for the International Concierge & Errand Association. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

© 2006 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Indra_Books

How An Online Degree Can Help Your Gas Budget

Save Time And Gas Earning Your Degree Online!
By: Holly Dodd

It used to be that if you wanted to go to college and earn a degree, you a little financial aid from your parents and a little more from a part time job. That worked when life moved at a slower pace, a few years back but in today’s fast paced lifestyle, it would be near impossible to work and go to school simultaneously. There just isn’t enough time in the day. Factor in the high cost of schooling and its easy to see why so many people are frustrated when trying to figure out a way to get a college education.

One thing you can do to make getting a degree more affordable is apply for grants and student loans. That will help with the cost of schooling itself but what about transportation from school and work? The cost of gasoline is forcing many people to simply stay home. One remedy would be to earn your degree at home with an online course.

Because of the increasing demand, many universities are developing online classes and programs today. A quick Google search will reveal dozens of well known universities that offer courses. Colorado Tech University has a program that is very much like attending the university offline. You start by paying your $50 enrollment fee and then work towards getting accepted into your classes. Just like being in the offline world you will be interviewed and assessed, you’ll have to prove yourself before you can start class.

If you are thinking that entry to an online school has got to be easier that an offline one, think again. Before online schools will even consider you, you have to write a reason why they should consider your application. You’ll be asked questions that will be centered on why you want to get a degree, why you think you could master the courses and why you chose their particular school. Going through this process is common among online universities these days so be prepared to make a good impression.

Now if you’re thinking that going to school online is going to save you a ton of money, not so. A college education is expensive. Weather you go offline or online, be prepared to spend a small fortune for your education if you are going for more than just a basic degree.
Associates, Doctrines, Masters, PHD or Bachelor’s degrees are pretty much necessities if you want to get ahead of the competition. In fact, even an Associate Degree doesn’t hold the status that it once did. That being said, the standard degree will cost you around 20 thousand dollars and that is a conservative amount.

Instead of the traditional classrooms with a professor, your classrooms will be labs and chat rooms where you can go online to get help with about anything you need. You WILL need to learn and exercise MPA/APA style, since this is the best method for online courses. Common courses offline focus on various other styles, but online you will have to master APA/MPL otherwise you may face penalties.

There are a few colleges online, such as Professional Career Development that are less extreme but you will be earning nothing more than a degree, or else Associates. These classes are inexpensive and the workload is less dramatic so for some this is a plus. The downside is you will not have cyber libraries with this college. You can receive help from instructors, but as in most cases you do get what you pay for - you have to reach long and far to get the help you will need to earn your degree.

About the Author:Web publisher, Holly Dodd writes articles about Online Degrees for here website www.SuperDegreesOnline.info. For related articles and other resources, visit Holly's website:FreeOfferGuide.comRead more articles by: Holly Dodd Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Incrase Gas Mileage By As Much As Much 40%

How I Increased My Gas Mileage By 30 Percent!
By: Carl Brown

I do a LOT of driving. Probably more than I need to. It costs me $40 to fill my tank at the current prices of $3 per gallon. And I do that 3 times a week!

I'm also not one who takes care of my vehicles. I have a small '95 Dodge Avenger that runs, but it burns oil and pops & sputters. I've done very little with it since I bought it except add gas (and oil).

When I got fed up with the cost of gas, I decided to check the gas mileage. I ran it through a tank, and was actually impressed to find I was getting 25 mpg through a combination of highway and city driving. While not what I thought it should be, I was impressed with the mileage I got (I'm actually impressed it runs at all).

Well, I did some research, and I discovered several no-cost or low-cost things I could do to increase my mileage. I did those things and was absolutely astounded by the improvements I was able to make!

Well, here's what I did to begin my experiment to squeeze every last mile out of a gallon of gas. I began with a car that was in rough shape anyway, so any improvement in maintenance, I expected, would result in a substantial increase in gas mileage. Of course, if you keep your vehicle well maintained, you'll no doubt have less "success" than me, but with a little diligence you should see some improvement as well.

So, what exactly did I do to achieve a nearly 30% increase in gas mileage?

1) Check the tires: As a kid, you probably remember trying to ride a bike with a flat (or nearly flat) tire. Remember the effort it took to get the bike moving? I still remember the incredible strain to my legs as I tried to get the bike up to speed. If you're driving on low tires, your car's doing the same thing. It takes an incredible amount of energy to get that vehicle moving--even with all 4 tires inflated to the correct pressure. My own rear tires were both 12-14 pounds under recommended pressure. The figures I read suggest I may have gained as much as 3 miles per gallon by simply keeping my tires up to the correct pressure.

2) Replace the Air Filter: Even if you don't think it's too bad, it won't hurt to replace it. According to the FTC, you can increase your gas mileage up to 10% by simply replacing you air filter (link). If you can't see light through it, it HAS to be replaced. But if you haven't replaced it in a while, do it anyway.

3) Change the Oil Regularly: Dirty oil not only decreases engine life, it also becomes thicker, causing increased engine friction. Change your oil according to manufacturer's directions. Cleain oil greatly reduces friction (and increase engine life).

Well, there are just a few of the things I did to increase my mileage by 30%. Making those few simple & low-cost changes will result in BIG savings.

If you'd like even more ideas to save gas, simply click the link below. They're all free, cheap, and easy.

About the Author:Discover more ways you can save gas and pocket a bundle. Visit http://www.rs39.com to read moreRead more articles by: Carl Brown Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Driving Tips To Save On Gasoline

Save Money On Gas: Driving
By: Olivia Romero

How you drive your car can determine how much money you will save on gas. Here are some tips on how to save money on gas when driving your car.

If you have a standard transmission you should always drive in the highest gear possible.

In many cars gas efficiency will go down by 10% if you have the air conditioner running while you are moving. If you have a lower temperature setting on your A/C, use it. Run the A/C until the interior gets cooled down and then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air. You should never run your AC with your windows open.

Cars that were built after 1990 don’t need to warm up before driving in the morning. For the first five minutes of driving, don't exceed 35 mph. The engine actually warms up better if it is driving instead of idling in your driveway.

Driving the speed limit will help you out as well... maybe as much as 10%.

Accelerate slowly when you are leaving a stoplight. The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more money on gas. If you follow the tip of driving in high gear, you won't be accelerating all that much anyway.

Try buying 87-octane gasoline (Regular). Read your car manual. Some vehicle advertisements tell you to use premium gasoline, but the owner's manual actually says that 87 is fine.

Turn the engine off when you're stuck at a light or waiting for a train to pass or when you don't expect to move for a few minutes. When the engine is idling and not moving, you end up with 0 mpg.

Revving the engine is a huge waste of time and gas as well. Unless there is a mechanical problem with your car, there is no need to do this before you turn your vehicle off. If there is a mechanical problem, consider fixing it before it turns into a more expensive problem later on.

Following these tips can give you an advantage over gas prices at the pump.

About the Author:Olivia is a writer with over fifteen years writing video scripts and webcopy. She authors several websites and blogs. For more information on how to save money on gas visit http://milagecare.myffi.bizRead more articles by: Olivia Romero Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How Much Are You Will To Pay For Gas?

Gas Prices, Are Ready To Pay More, Much More?
By: Paul Skarp

Did you think the non-inflation adjusted record high in oil and gas prices form hurricane Katrina last September was just a blip on the radar? If you did, you may be in for a very rude awakening. Directly below are some very compelling reasons why this may be the case.

In the late seventies and early eighties automobile ownership in China was virtually non-existent. China's roadways, once synonymous with packs of bicycles, are experiencing an explosion of car traffic driven by the nation's ever growing consumer class. Last year, automobile sales in China exceeded 5 million units. China is now the world’s fastest growing auto market. However, even with this recent surge of automobile ownership in China the market remains virtually untapped. At present, its estimated that significantly less than two percent of China’s population, 1.3 billion people, owns an automobile but with cheaper models and a growing used car market, auto ownership in China is steadily increasing.

The oil production decline rate, sometimes referred to as Hubbert’s production curve or peak oil, at several major global oil fields has been considerably steeper than expected. For example, the U.K. has now become a net importer of crude oil and its production is dropping fast. Presently, crude oil production in the U.K. is below 2 million barrels per day and has appeared to reach its absolute peak of 2.9 million barrels in 2000.

Shortages of unleaded gas could potentially occur this summer because the U.S. ethanol industry can't keep up with the demand for fuel-grade alcohol to mix with gasoline. Imports of ethanol could possibly meet demand but are currently subject to a 54-cents-per-gallon tariff.

The current standoff between the United States and Iran, OPEC’s no.2 oil producer, over Tehran’s nuclear energy ambitions also applies upward pressure on the crude oil market. Although Iran has claimed in the past they will not use oil as an economic weapon that could change at any moment. Iran recently has officially gone nuclear with the first successful enrichment of Uranium. So the whole Iran situation is tense at best.

AccuaWeather has forecasted the 2006 hurricane season, which starts June 1 and runs through December 1, to be more active than normal. Considering the current fragile status of refining capabilities within the U.S. any potential damage to those facilities from hurricanes this summer could have a dramatic effect on prices.

Due to political instability and rising violence in Nigeria, oil companies have suspended the production of over 600,000 barrels per day of crude oil. Don’t expect any quick resolutions to these long-term problems in Nigeria. At present, over 20 percent of Nigerian production remains at a stand still following attacks by militants.

Crude oil demand is rising at a very fast pace. At present, it’s increasing around 1.75 million barrels per day. Even with Saudi Arabia's vast crude oil resources the market will be unable to cope without some drastic measures. Furthermore, the water content is rising in the old supergiant oil fields of Saudi Arabia. Referred to as the water cut, there are rumors now circulating that water content is over 50 percent. When it reaches 80 it’s for the most part game over. Of course the water cut is considered a State secret in Saudi Arabia for obvious reasons.

Many of the world’s major oil fields are very old and potentially are nearing or have already surpassed their peak in production. There are about 120 oilfields in the world that produce half of the world's crude oil supplies. The top 14 fields, which make up 20 percent of global supply, are over 50 years old. In Saudi Arabia, which contains a quarter of the entire global oil supply, there are only five major fields producing 90 percent of their supply.

All of these points really lead to the potential “perfect storm” in regards to oil pricing. Petroleum is utilized in many of the products we purchase on a daily basis. There are some people that agree with our predictions and believe that we should just turn to alternate sources of fuel. This is a good idea but it is truly logistically impossible to just stop using oil. So how does this affect the ordinary person? The only way one could potentially deal with such potential calamities, as any of these many scenarios will pose, is proper preparation. I am afraid just driving a hybrid will not cut it.

About the Author:Paul Skarp is head commodity futures trader at Aaron Trading. Would you like to learn more about oil and other commodity related investments? For more information you can visit our website at http://www.aarontrade.com or our Commodity Market Analysis Blog at http://www.aarontrade.com/commodityfuturestradingRead more articles by: Paul Skarp Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How Much Are You Will To Pay For Gas?

Gas Prices, Are Ready To Pay More, Much More?
By: Paul Skarp

Did you think the non-inflation adjusted record high in oil and gas prices form hurricane Katrina last September was just a blip on the radar? If you did, you may be in for a very rude awakening. Directly below are some very compelling reasons why this may be the case.

In the late seventies and early eighties automobile ownership in China was virtually non-existent. China's roadways, once synonymous with packs of bicycles, are experiencing an explosion of car traffic driven by the nation's ever growing consumer class. Last year, automobile sales in China exceeded 5 million units. China is now the world’s fastest growing auto market. However, even with this recent surge of automobile ownership in China the market remains virtually untapped. At present, its estimated that significantly less than two percent of China’s population, 1.3 billion people, owns an automobile but with cheaper models and a growing used car market, auto ownership in China is steadily increasing.

The oil production decline rate, sometimes referred to as Hubbert’s production curve or peak oil, at several major global oil fields has been considerably steeper than expected. For example, the U.K. has now become a net importer of crude oil and its production is dropping fast. Presently, crude oil production in the U.K. is below 2 million barrels per day and has appeared to reach its absolute peak of 2.9 million barrels in 2000.

Shortages of unleaded gas could potentially occur this summer because the U.S. ethanol industry can't keep up with the demand for fuel-grade alcohol to mix with gasoline. Imports of ethanol could possibly meet demand but are currently subject to a 54-cents-per-gallon tariff.

The current standoff between the United States and Iran, OPEC’s no.2 oil producer, over Tehran’s nuclear energy ambitions also applies upward pressure on the crude oil market. Although Iran has claimed in the past they will not use oil as an economic weapon that could change at any moment. Iran recently has officially gone nuclear with the first successful enrichment of Uranium. So the whole Iran situation is tense at best.

AccuaWeather has forecasted the 2006 hurricane season, which starts June 1 and runs through December 1, to be more active than normal. Considering the current fragile status of refining capabilities within the U.S. any potential damage to those facilities from hurricanes this summer could have a dramatic effect on prices.

Due to political instability and rising violence in Nigeria, oil companies have suspended the production of over 600,000 barrels per day of crude oil. Don’t expect any quick resolutions to these long-term problems in Nigeria. At present, over 20 percent of Nigerian production remains at a stand still following attacks by militants.

Crude oil demand is rising at a very fast pace. At present, it’s increasing around 1.75 million barrels per day. Even with Saudi Arabia's vast crude oil resources the market will be unable to cope without some drastic measures. Furthermore, the water content is rising in the old supergiant oil fields of Saudi Arabia. Referred to as the water cut, there are rumors now circulating that water content is over 50 percent. When it reaches 80 it’s for the most part game over. Of course the water cut is considered a State secret in Saudi Arabia for obvious reasons.

Many of the world’s major oil fields are very old and potentially are nearing or have already surpassed their peak in production. There are about 120 oilfields in the world that produce half of the world's crude oil supplies. The top 14 fields, which make up 20 percent of global supply, are over 50 years old. In Saudi Arabia, which contains a quarter of the entire global oil supply, there are only five major fields producing 90 percent of their supply.

All of these points really lead to the potential “perfect storm” in regards to oil pricing. Petroleum is utilized in many of the products we purchase on a daily basis. There are some people that agree with our predictions and believe that we should just turn to alternate sources of fuel. This is a good idea but it is truly logistically impossible to just stop using oil. So how does this affect the ordinary person? The only way one could potentially deal with such potential calamities, as any of these many scenarios will pose, is proper preparation. I am afraid just driving a hybrid will not cut it.

About the Author:Paul Skarp is head commodity futures trader at Aaron Trading. Would you like to learn more about oil and other commodity related investments? For more information you can visit our website at http://www.aarontrade.com or our Commodity Market Analysis Blog at http://www.aarontrade.com/commodityfuturestradingRead more articles by: Paul Skarp Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Save The World - Save Gas

Want To Influence World Events? Save Gas -- Here's How
By: Rick Hall

All my life gas prices have been a growing factor in world events. But these days, it seems like much of the turmoil abroad and here at home can be traced back to gas supply and demand.

Today Americans are seeing constantly high gas prices eat away at their incomes. While we pay more at the pump, we have less to spend on everything else. The economy as a whole slows down and there are more headlines about even more Americans being laid off from their jobs.

Meanwhile, big gas profits go right into the pockets of many of the countries who give us problems overseas.

What's the solution? One surefire cure for all these is to simply buy less gas. I know you can't shorten your commute and you probably don't want to hurt your lifestyle by drastically cutting your trips. I don't blame you.

But before we get all depressed about the situation, keep in mind there is new fuel technology that is allowing a growing stampede of North Americans to get far better gas mileage.

The days of having to trade your SUV in on a small economy car are over. New fuel catalysts can very effectively improve your gas mileage by up to 25% or more.

The fuel catalyst I use is a small pill that goes in your tank. I saved 19.8% or $5.76 on my first tank using the gas pill.

Over the course of a month, that's a big savings for you. And it means drivers who use these gas saving measures are doing their part to lower America's gas consumption. That lowers gas prices for everybody and quickly slows down all those profits that are going overseas.

Your engine burns gas to create millions of controlled heat explosions. By using a catalyst, the fuel works more efficiently, releasing more energy, and driving your car further while using less gas.

So do yourself and the world a favor. Try using a fuel catalyst for a few tanks. You'll be a believer like me in no time.

About the Author:Rick Hall is an enthusiastic user of the Top Secret Gas Pill. He and others like him are getting 25% or better gas mileage, dropping emissions by up to 50%, and spending less time at the repair shop. Get the Gas Pill at Rick's http://www.GasPillDude.com Reach him at GasPillDude@hotmail.comRead more articles by: Rick Hall Article Source: www.iSnare.com

What Should I Know About Hybrid And Electric Cars

What You Should Know About Gas-Electric Hybrid Vehicles
By: Carol Evans

As gas prices continue to rise to unprecedented heights with future increases on the horizon (projected prices for the summer of 2006 are as much as $1.50 per liter, or $6 per gallon) more and more people are considering purchasing a hybrid vehicle. It is important to understand what a hybrid car is, what types are available, and the benefits of purchasing a hybrid vehicle.

A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses a combination of at least two different fuel sources for its propulsion. Although many combinations are possible, generally when people are talking about hybrid cars, they are referring to cars with a combination of a gasoline internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a battery that powers the electric motor and stores energy for future use. Hybrid cars may also be called gas-electric hybrids.

Some examples of current hybrid cars include the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid (HCH), the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Honda Accord Hybrid, and the Honda Insight.

Due to their special use of technology, hybrid cars receive much higher gas mileage than the average U.S. vehicle. In fact, hybrid cars hold the top spots for fuel economy in their respective categories: two-seaters, compact cars and mid size cars. The clean burning hybrids also receive a one-time deduction for tax purposes in the year of their purchase, as part of the Federal Government’s clean air initiative. Hybrids will save you money in gas, but this should be set against what they may cost you in other areas. Hybrid cars are as much as $2,000 to $5,000 more than the standard version of the same vehicle. They also contain parts that might be more costly to repair or replace due to specialized mechanics. The more complex powertrain of the hybrid car also means that you will require a more specialized mechanic when it comes time for repairs.

Hybrid cars also typically have less power that the non-hybrid version. The emphasis has not been put on speed, and the acceleration capabilities are often not up to par with comparable vehicles.

It is important to remember that hybrid cars are a new technology. As with most technologies, they will inevitably improve over time, so it might be best to hold off on purchasing that new hybrid for a little while, until their engineering catches up to their economy.

About the Author:copyright©2006 hybridcarzone.com Visit for more hybrid car articles. You'll also find hybrid vehicle parts and hybrid car dealer resources.Read more articles by: Carol Evans Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Which Gas Credit Card Should I Choose?

Getting The Best Gas Credit Card For You
By: Beth Derkowitz

With rising gas prices, it makes sense that more credit card companies are offering gas rebates and discounts for using their credit card. But are they worth their rewards? And how can you choose the one that fits your life?

Knowing yourself

When you’re first looking at a gas credit card, you probably feel that you’re spending too much on gas. But if you’re not spending a lot on gas because your car is fuel-efficient or you just don’t drive all that much—a gas card might not be the best choice for you. While most people need gas for one thing or another, if that’s the only bonus you’re receiving from the card, and you don’t really need it, then you may want to look for other bonuses.

What do you have to do?

With a gas credit card, you generally have to spend so many dollars in order to build up an account of money that can then be used to purchase gas. But the items that you buy might be restricted, so you’ll want to be sure that you aren’t spending most of your money on things that won’t count toward the actual gas rebates.

How much are you getting?

Just like cash back cards, you want to see if the actual rebate is going to be worth the use of the card. If you’re only getting a few dollars for every hundred that you spend, it might not be the best value for you. This is especially true when you have a larger gas tank that needs to be filled more often.

Make sure that it’s worth your while. You don’t want to have a credit card that doesn’t pay off as well as you had hoped.

Where can you use it?

What a lot of people don’t realize is that some gas credit cards can only be used at certain gas stations. If the station is regional and you travel a lot, you might not be in town to redeem your rebate. Check with the card to see where your gas credits can be redeemed for your convenience.

With a gas credit card, you can help yourself with gas prices as you buy the things that you need. And to make sure that you’re getting the most fuel for your finances, be sure to ask your self the previous questions.

About the Author:Beth Derkowitz recommends Find Credit Cards for finding the best gas credit card for you. See http://www.findcreditcards.org/type/gas.php for more information.Read more articles by: Beth Derkowitz Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Should I Get A Gas Rebate Reward Card?

5 Reasons To Get A Gas Reward Credit Card
By: Joshua Shapiro

They may seem like a relic of a long-ago age, when gas stations wouldn’t accept credit cards unless they were from their own company. But now with credit cards being accepted at nearly every gas station in the country—many times right at the pump—gas reward credit cards may seem unnecessary. What good do they do you if you can use your Visa or MasterCard instead?

But don’t count out gas credit cards just yet. They still have their benefits for certain people. We know what question is coming next: "Am I one of those special certain people?" Well, it depends. Read the following five reasons that people should consider a gas reward credit card.

1. Consider Your Bill Paying Habits

First, ask yourself if you pay off your debt every month or you usually allow your credit debt to revolve. Gas credit cards tend to have higher percentage interest rates, so they may not be a good bet if you let your debt build from month to month.

2. Are You a Devoted Customer to One Particular Gas Station?

Next, do a quick estimate of the number of gas stations you’ve visited in the last month. Is it a random assortment of stations—whichever happened to be closest when your empty tank light went on? Or do you tend to go to the same station every time you buy gas? If you’re a devoted customer to one gas station, a gas card at that station may be the best idea. That’s because gas cards tend to give higher rebates at their stations, compared to other purchases.

3. Find the Best Rebates

If you shop at a few gas stations, you may want to narrow down your card selection to the company with the best rebates. Say, for instance, you usually buy gas at Shell, Texaco, and Gulf. Get information on all three companies’ credit cards. If one of the three credit cards has a 6 percent rebate on its gas, while the other two have 4 percent, that kind of savings is a major reason to pick its card, especially as gas prices keep on going up and up.

4. How Convenient!

Gas cards can also be very convenient if the gas station has a convenience store. Those rebates also tend to extend not only to their gas, but to their foods, drink, and knickknacks in their stores. If you tend to run out to a particular gas station convenience store for milk, juice, snacks, and lunch, that 6 percent rebate will add up.

5. Organize!

Last but not least, for those who have trouble budgeting and keeping track of expenses, whether for personal or small business reasons, a gas card can be a way to organize without even trying!

About the Author:Joshua Shapiro recommends Find Credit Cards to find a gas reward credit card. See http://www.findcreditcards.org/type/gas.php for more information.Read more articles by: Joshua Shapiro Article Source: www.iSnare.com

What Are Gas Rebate Credit Cards? Where Can I Find Them?

Guide To Gas Rebate Credit Cards
By: Joseph Kenny

Looking for a way to cut back on your gasoline expenses? You could learn to drive at 55 - the speed which most experts say is the most economical on gas. You could trade in your car for a model that guzzles less of the expensive elixir. You could leave your car at home 10% of the time.

Or you could do your credit card purchasing with a credit card that offers you gas rebate rewards. With the cost of gas spiralling through the roof with a speed it hasn't had since 1972, gas rebate credit cards are becoming a more and more popular option for people looking to save a little money at the pumps.

And it's no wonder. With the average cost of filling your gas tank hitting $30 and up, saving as much as 10% every time you fill up is a powerful incentive to abandon 1-5% cash and reward point rewards in favor of a credit card that pays you back in gas. To make the deal even sweeter, many of the best deals are on standard credit cards that will pay you a rebate on any brand of gasoline that you purchase.

The rebates range from 3% to 10% cash back on your gas station purchases. They're paid out by a variety of methods including gift cards, discounts on other purchases and credits to your account. Of them all, the cards that apply the gas rebate directly to your existing balance seem to make the most sense on the surface. By applying the rebate amount to your existing balance, you're also lowering your monthly interest payment by lowering the amount on which the interest is charged.

Among the credit cards that offer rebates on any purchases made at any gas station, the AAA Diamond Advantage Visa from MBNA appears to be among the best. It offers a 5% rebate on any brand of gas purchased, plus one reward point for every dollar spent. The reward points are automatically applied to your account. When you earn 5,000 points, the company issues a $50 gift certificate for AAA services.

If you're willing to confine your purchases to one brand of gas, you can earn 10% off all Marathon purchases for the first 60 days followed by a 5% rebate for fuel purchases thereafter. Shell MasterCard, issued by Citibank offers 5% rebate on gas purchases and 1% rebate on general purchases. The amount saved is credited to your card statement every month. In addition, each year that you make 9 or more purchases of Shell Gasoline, your annual fee of $20 is waived.

Your best bet in choosing a gas rebate credit card is to study all the offers and figure out which works best for you. Gasoline is one of the larger monthly expenses for most people. Being able to cut your gasoline bill by 10% or more per year is certainly worth doing a little credit card research before making a choice. Don't forget to average in the credit cards that aren't specific to gasoline rebates. A standard credit card with a great cash-back program AND a rewards points system could be your best choice of all.

About the Author:Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the credit card comparison site http://www.cardguide.co.uk/ and also http://www.creditcards121.com/.Read more articles by: Joseph Kenny Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Gas Prices Will Never Drop - What You Can Do About It

A Guide To Saving Gas With Your Vehicle
By: Andrew Bernhardt

Super-expensive gas is here to stay. Drivers are in a scramble over how to afford their morning commute. They're resorting to a number of solutions, some the result of fuel economy technology in the form of hybrid vehicles, others steering for quick-fix gadgets carrying a high price tag and dubious claims.

Don't downgrade from your favorite ride into a sub-compact clown car! Stay away from fuel saving gimmicks, too. There are simple ways to save gas, increase gas mileage and stick it back to the greedy barons stealing your spending cash.

Improving Air Flow

A great place to start when looking to increase gas mileage is with your vehicle's air filter. It is by far the easiest performance upgrade around, and the quickest way to increase gas mileage.

If you're still lugging around town with a disposable paper air filter, you must toss it in favor of a performance air filter. A disposable paper air filter is incredibly restrictive to airflow, a restriction which essentially chokes your engine. Compare this to a performance air filter which uses either cotton or foam filtration material. Air flows much easier through these performance air filter materials which puts plenty of oxygen into your engine for burning fuel. With the extra air on hand, your engine's computer responds by using less fuel per air part.

But wait - there's more. The bountiful airflow puts extra horsepower at the pedal for your driving pleasure. Not to mention the cleaner air volumes now entering your engine, which contribute to overall vehicle condition. Be careful, though. Overusing the power boost provided by a performance air filter will negate any mileage improvements.

Improving Aerodynamics

Ever feel like something is holding your truck back? Surprisingly, it's probably your tailgate. Passing air rushes over your truck's cab and flows directly into your open bed. With nowhere else to go, the turbulent air crashes into your tailgate - catching your truck like a trout that swallowed the hook.

Adding a tonneau cover to your otherwise exposed truck bed provides a tight surface for airflow to blow right past. Without a drag-prone tailgate to slow your truck down, you can see an average gas mileage improvement of 5% to 10% immediately.

If you'd rather not get a tonneau cover, or need full uncovered bed access at all times, consider an air-flow tailgate. drag is reduced immensely, thanks to a mesh or louvered design that allows turbulent air in your truck bed to slip right through the gate.

Though studies show the gas mileage improvement is not as dramatic as adding a tonneau cover to your ride, air flow tailgates will show an immediate gas mileage improvement that exceeds unsafe driving with the stock tailgate down.

Tire Pressure Effects

If you're getting worse gas mileage than usual, check your tire pressure. If your tires are under-inflated, your vehicle has to work that much harder to spin them. The friction caused by these flabby tires could be sucking your gas mileage by 2mpg or more. Not to mention the premature tread wear that will cost you serious cash down the road.

Check your pressure with a digital tire gauge for the best possible accuracy. The recommended pressure for your tires is usually given on a label inside your door well. If they're low, fill them up at most any corner service station and check the pressure again with the digital tire gauge. Under-inflation can have cash-swallowing consequences, but over-inflation is just as bad for your wallet.

Sharpen Your Shop Skills

The overall health of your car contributes greatly to the gas mileage you'll see throughout its life. Follow the regular maintenance schedule for oil changes, tune-ups and inspections. Don't keep driving your vehicle if something is blatantly screwed up! Get the problem fixed, and it's less likely to drain your gas tank.

About the Author:With every vehicle and every lifestyle kept in mind, Andrew Bernhardt hopes that this information will help you save some hard earned dollars at the pump. For more information about saving gas with your vehicle, please visit http://www.autoanything.com.

How To Pay Only $.89 A Gallon On Gas

How A Woman In Cleveland Paid 89 Cents For A Gallon Of Gas And How You Can Too.
By: Scott Siegel

In August of 2005 the price listed as the price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $2.29. That same day Kellie Courtney of Cleveland paid only 89 cents a gallon. Marion Charvat paid $1.09 a gallon. Marion filled her Volkswagen Jetta for only $12.45. How could they buy gas so cheap? They did it because they are smart consumers. Here's how they did it.

The reason that Kellie and Marion were able to purchase gas at such a low price is that they treated gas like it was any other item that they would go to a store to buy. They shopped around and they found a way to purchase their gas at the store that they found had the absolute lowest cost. They found a frequent shopper program that allowed them to lower their gas cost. They found it at a grocery chain called Giant Eagle.

Giant Eagle does business in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. Recently Giant Eagle added a new component to their frequent shopper program. It is called Fuelperks. It is a program that offers discounts on gas at Giant Eagle's own stations for shopping at Giant Eagle using their frequent shopper card.

For every $50.00 of purchases using the frequent shopper card the consumer will get a 10 cent reduction in the price of gas for one tank fill up. Purchase $100.00 worth; get 20 cents off a gallon. Purchase $500.00 worth and get $1.00 off a gallon. Buy enough groceries and you can get gasoline for free.

A large family that has to buy a lot of groceries every week will very quickly earn large discounts at the gas pump. The prices at Giant Eagle are in line with most of the other groceries in the area and their regular price on gas is in line with other gas stations so you really are getting a legitimate discount on gas.

You have to buy groceries somewhere; you might as well buy it a store that gives you a substantial discount on gas while you are at it. That is one way to beat the gas pump.

Treat gas like anything else that you buy. Look for the best deals. Look for frequent shopper programs in your neighborhood that allow you to build up discounts you can use towards gas. Look for gas discounts and incentives anywhere you see a gas pump. Look for stores that may be branching out into the frequent shopper area or stores that now sell gas that didn't before.

In order to compete with the new grocery gas stations many gas convenience stores are beginning to implement frequent shopper programs that will result in lower gas costs. But more and more traditional stores that never sold gas before are realizing that discount gas is a big incentive to get shoppers. Giant Eagle is one example of a traditional grocery store branching out to sell gas at a discount.

According to the Food Marketing Institute, just 18% of grocery stores built in 2003 had gas pumps; last year, more than 60% of new stores were built with gas stations. They have seen the value of offering gas to their customers as a loss leader.

The mega retailers are another place you should look for bargains. As in many areas Wal-Mart / Sam's Club are jumping into the gas business big time. The VP in charge of fuel for Wal-Mart says he is looking to extend Sam Walton's marketing strategy to gasoline by building gas stations at every Sam's Club throughout the country. In his view, putting in pumps should be "standard practice. It just fits our business model: we want to bring everything [to consumers] at the lowest price."

So how can you lower your gas costs? Treat gas like any other item you purchase. Look for deals, discounts and low prices. Comparison shop. Find the retailers that offer the best program for you. Look for gas bargains at some of the non traditional outlets like grocery stores or mega stores. Then maybe you will be able to buy that tank of gas for 89 cents a gallon like Kellie Courtney did.

About the Author:Scott Siegel is the author of "Beat The Gas Pump!" If you want to take your money out of your gas tank and put it back in your pocket go to: http://www.beatthegaspump.com and get your free reports.Read more articles by: Scott Siegel Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Choose The Best Gas Credit Card

Finding The Best Gas Credit Cards
By: Morgan Hamilton

You can find gas credit cards for just about any major - and some minor - gas companies. These gas credit cards are easily found online. One site we perused, for example, told us about several different gas credit card offers. It told us how to find gas credit cards for Marathon, Hess, Phillips 66, Citgo and Conoco. A few of the gas credit cards featured allow you to purchase any brand of gas you wish from any station.

One of the gas credit cards they talked about, a Chase PerfectCard, offers a rebate of six percent for the first 90 days you use it. This rebate is good on any purchase of gas you make at any gas station.

Once the initial ninety days is up you still will realize a one percent rebate on purchases at restaurants, dry cleaners, grocery stores and clothing retailers as well as gas stations.

Not only that, your gas credit card rebates will get credited toward any purchase you make in the future with this card.

After the introductory period, you'll earn a 3% rebate at ANY gas station on all gas purchases. Not only do you have a quick, easy payoff with this gas credit card but your APR is also fixed at zero percent on any balance you transfer to the card for up to nine months. You can earn a rate under 14 percent depending on your credit, and the first year you will be charged no annual fee.

Once your first year is up, all you will have to do to have your annual fee waived is to make nine purchases total with the gas credit card for the year.

Marathon gas credit cards offer a big ten percent rebate on Marathon Midwest and Southeast gas stations the first sixty days you use your card. After that you'll realize a five percent rebate continuously.

This gas credit card also gives you a one percent rebate off any other purchases that you can put towards Marathon gas purchases.

This MasterCard gas credit card charges no annual fee your first year and, if you make nine purchases with this gas credit card for the year, you won't have to pay the $20 annual fee the subsequent year either. For the first nine months you own the card there is no fee and zero percent APR on any balance transfers.

The rate on this gas credit card can be as low as 13.99 percent depending on your credit.

Hess gas credit cards offer you rebates for free gas and merchandise at every Hess, Hess Express and Wilco Hess location. The first ninety days you will earn a ten percent rebate. Subsequently, every Hess purchase with your gas credit card will net you a five percent rebate, while any purchase elsewhere will give you one percent back.

With Hess platinum gas credit cards your introductory APR is zero balance and can last up to six months. With this gas credit card there is no annual fee ever.

About the Author:Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Credit Cards. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.Find-Cards-Now.comRead more articles by: Morgan Hamilton Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Chemically Improve The Gas Mileage Of Your Car

Chemically Improving Your Gas Mileage In Your Car
By:
What if you could actually improve your gas mileage significantly (5-20%)? Not have to alter your driving habits? Not have to install any extra questionable parts on your car? What if it were as easy to do as 1-2-3?

Well, it is.

For years Big Oil has offered three or so different grades of gas octane 87 regular, 89-90 premium and 91-94 super.These grades are actually based upon a 100 octane scale where the cleanest burning, most ideal fuel was propane (clean burn fuel). But the scale never took into account arromatic petrol compounds and derivatives which can actually surpass the 100 octane mark, some as high as 115-130 octane.

So the object here is to get the engine running the cleanest burning fuel possible, leave less soot and deposits in the combustion chamber and on the valves, clean the injection system, or in older cars the carburetor, not hurt emmisions systems, not void our warranty, and, in the end, get increased gas mileage and increased engine life. Wow, thats a lot. It really isn't, though.

In recent tests it has been proven that arromatic petroleum distillates, alcohol (methyl alcohol), ether, acetone, and toluene can and will do all of these. That is to a point. If you make the fuel mixture too rich you can actually do the opposite. The ideal mixture found that was easiest to obtain and handle was 1-2 ounces of acetone per full tank (acetone can be found at your local hardware store or paint supply shop). This was tested on everything from 4-8 cylinder gas engines to big Cummings diesel engines. The range in increase of fuel efficincy was 5-20% and the average being 9%. It was found if you used 3 or more ounces per tank ful results were the same or worse than without the acetone - the mixture was too rich.

The effects of the acetone were then tested on the fuel line components themselves for resilience and it was found that unlike methyl alcohol (racing fuel) it did not have a caustic effect. Acetone will have a etching effect on paint, plastic headlight lenses, etc... Spills should be wiped up immediately.

So, to make the story short and get straight to the point, if you wanted to add an average of 9% fuel efficiency to your vehicle and do it for less than $.50 per fillup - its as easy as adding 1-2 ounces acetone per tankfull. Thats it - the only problems are Big Oil doesn't want you to know how to save on gas and you may still void you warranty as they now test for gas additives like acetone.

Also, one last note, acetone or any additive that makes your engine more efficient and burn cleaner is better for the environment - less emmissions.

About the Author:David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com or by visiting http://www.bestskinpeel.com.Read more articles by: David Maillie Article Source: www.iSnare.com

High Gas Prices Is A Good Thing

Let's All Stand Up And Give Soaring Gas Prices A Big Hand Of Applause!
By: Cheryl Dixon

No? You are not happy about our gas prices? Well, honestly I'm not either, but the more I thought about it, the more I came to believe that perhaps our soaring gas prices and dependence on foreign oil has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

It seems as though the most effective way to reach consumers is through our pocketbook. Once more we are outraged at high fuel prices and demanding something be done about it.

The auto industry has the technology to build fuel efficient cars, it has had much of this technology for decades, but it has not developed this technology into cost effective mass marketed vehicles. Why? Because the consumer has not demanded it. No matter what, the auto industry is and always will be consumer driven.

As long as the consumer continues to purchase what the industry is putting out, they will keep building what they are building. Granted, because of emission controls and higher mileage standards over the years we now have less harmful emissions and better mileage than we did twenty years ago. While this has been a great start we cannot let that become a stopping point.

Let's take realistic look at where we are today and how we, as consumers, can help insure a more cost efficient and healthier future for ourselves, our children and generations to come. We now have hybrid cars that provide much better fuel efficiency and less pollutants, and fuel cell vehicles that use no gasoline and produce no harmful emissions, their only by-product is vapor.

Here are some of the hybrids available now and scheduled for the near future

DaimlerChrysler - Diesel-electric Dodge Ram pickup with 15 percent mileage boost.

Early 2008: Dodge Durango SUV, no details available.

Ford - Escape Hybrid: SUV rated at 36 in city driving with two-wheel-drive model, nearly double that of the gas-only Escape. Highway driving rated at 31 mpg.

October 2005: Mercury Mariner SUV, 33 mpg in the city, 29 on the highway.

2007: Mazda Tribute SUV, no mileage data yet.

2008: Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans, no mileage data yet.

General Motors - GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pickups increase fuel economy 10-12 percent.

2006: Saturn Vue SUV, with 15 percent mpg increase.

2007: Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, up to 35 percent mpg boost. Chevrolet Malibu, 15 percent increase.

2008: Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups that get up to 35 percent mpg increase.

Honda - Insight: two-door rated at 56 mpg on highway and in city.

Civic Hybrid: four-door rated at 48 mpg on highway and in city.

Accord Hybrid: rated at 37 mpg on the highway, 29 mpg in the city.

Nissan - 2006: Hybrid version of midsize Altima, no details on estimated mileage.

Toyota - Prius: four-door rated at 60 mph in city, 51 mpg on highway.

Lexus RX 400h: SUV rated at 31 mpg in city driving, two thirds more than its gas-only RX 330 sibling.

Highlander Hybrid: SUV is rated at 33/28 mpg in city/highway driving based on two-wheel-drive model.

Spring 2006: Lexus GS 450h sports sedan, mileage in the high twenties and 300-plus horsepower.

Late 2006: Camry, no details on estimated mileage.

Both hybrid and fuel cell vehicles are currently being used in mass transit systems in many selected U.S.cities as well as in Canada and Germany that include city transit buses, taxis, and delivery vehicles such as UPS.

Military vehicles - In April, the U.S. Army took delivery of the modified fuel cell Chevrolet Silverado that is capable of generating 188 kW and 317 foot-pounds of torque, or roughly the motor torque generated by GM’s 5.3 liter V-8 engine. This is the first time the vehicle has been driven in California. It will be delivered to the Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., later this year for demonstration and evaluation.

"This vehicle has spent the last few months performing civilian-type duty at Ft. Belvoir, Va. where Army soldiers have been evaluating its performance and learning first-hand about hydrogen and fuel cells," said Dr. McClelland, director Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) of the U.S. Army.

World's First Individual Fuel Cell Vehicle Customer

California Hydrogen Highway - The Spallino family, living in the Los Angeles area, will be among the first individuals to begin utilizing the first of California's Hydrogen Highway refueling stations, a statewide infrastructure build out underway to offer hydrogen refueling station access to private individuals. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the state's commitment to a Hydrogen Highway in April of this year, creating a public and private partnership to build California's Hydrogen Highway by 2010

In the Chino project, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage SUVs, powered by fuel cells manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells, will operate throughout Southern California and refuel at the ChevronTexaco hydrogen station. Of particular importance is the on-site production of hydrogen from natural gas. Natural gas, with an existing distribution infrastructure, is critical to the eventual transition to the hydrogen economy. This station will also have the future capability to convert other renewable fuel sources, such as ethanol, into hydrogen for refueling fuel cell vehicles.

Hydrogen Fueling Station - The EPA has commissioned a hydrogen fueling station at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The station provides compressed hydrogen gas for hydrogen vehicles in Southeast Michigan.

The lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan is the first federal facility to install such a vehicle fueling station. This state-of-the art station serves as a real world example for others of the safe installation and operation of a hydrogen fueling station. In addition to supporting the Fuel Cell Delivery Vehicle Testing Program, this station will also be used for the fueling of hydrogen fueled vehicles deployed in the future in Michigan.

So perhaps our future is looking brighter with less dependence on foreign oil and a good beginning for achieving cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone. But it rests in our hands, each of us, the consumers, and what choices we make that will determine our future.

About the Author:Cheryl Dixon is an avid researcher for fuel saving and environmentally safe vehicles. The results of her continuing research and latest news can be found on her blog: http://hybridandfuelcellcars.featureblog.com and on her website: http://www.hybridandfuelcellcars.com © Copyright Hybrid and Fuel Cell Cars 2005 and beyond. Permission is granted to publish this article so long as the byline and source are kept intact, the links remain active and you do not make any changes.Read more articles by: Cheryl Dixon Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Reduce Your Gas Budget By 14%

The Secret To Saving 14% At The Gas Pump!
By: Scott Siegel

If you know the smart way to purchase your gas you can save a considerable amount of money. The following strategies could save you 4 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent or even 14 percent of your gas costs.

In this article you will learn the secret to using two strategies that together should provide you with a significant discount on your gas costs.

There are a number of alternatives that will result in savings. Among the best is the use of credit cards that offer rebates. By using the right cards you can lower your costs without having to change your driving habits or do any special maintanance on your car.

Many gas companies offer credit cards that pay rebates on gas purchases. The typical card will rebate you 10% on your gas purchases for the first two or three months and then rebate you 5% on your gas purchases thereafter.

For example currently Hess Oil has a credit card that will pay 10% for the first 60 days for Hess gas purchases and 5% for Hess gas purchases after 60 days.

Marathon Oil has the same 10% for 60 days 5% thereafter program. Speedway has an 8% for 60 days and 4% thereafter credit card program. All these cards also offer 1% rebates on other purchases and can be used anywhere Visa or MasterCard is accepted.

The examples just listed are issued by gas companies. There are also general market credit cards that will provide you with a discounts off your gas costs.

Many credit card companies offer cards that have special rebate amounts for gasoline. For example: currently Discover Card is issuing a Discover Gas Card that will give you back a rebate of 5 per cent of the gas you purchase with the opportunity to increase it to 10 per cent at selected retailers. It also gives you a 1 per cent rebate on other purchases.

Another example: Chase has a gas MasterCard that will give you a rebate of 5% for gas purchases and 2% for purchases everywhere else.

The advantage to using a general market card as opposed to a gas credit card is that you can use the general market credit card to buy gas at any station and get the high rebate. The gas company card only pays you the high rebate at the gas company's own stations.

On the other hand the gas company credit card will generally pay you a premium of 10 percent or 8 percent for the first 60 days where the general market card may not.

That is the main strategy for getting a discount of anywhere from 4 percent up to 10 percent. Certainly any rebate is welcome in light of the cost of gasoline. 4% is good and 10% is even better. But there may be a way to cut your cost of gas even more. Maybe even to 14%.

Here's how. Many gas companies offer pre paid gas cards or gas gift cards. In many cases these prepaid cards will offer a bonus or discount. For example in some cases you can purchase a $50 gas card for $48.

That means you pay $48 for the card but the card allows you to buy $50 worth of gas. That is the same as getting a 4% discount. In most cases you must buy these prepaid cards at the gas outlet.

Now here is where the extra savings comes in. If you purchase the prepaid card using the gas company credit card during the initial period when you are getting a 10% rebate you will get a 10% rebate on the prepaid card.

Then if you are buying a prepaid card that gives you a 4% discount, the $50 dollar card for $48 cost, you are compounding your savings.

You are getting a 10% savings on the rebate and you are getting a 4% savings on the prepaid card. In total you are getting a 14% savings!

About the Author:Scott Siegel is the author of "Beat The Gas Pump!" To learn more about taking your money out of your gas tank and putting it back in your pocket go to: http://www.beatthegaspump.com Read more articles by: Scott Siegel Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Drive Less And Save Money With Gas. By Staying At Home

Hate High Gas Prices? Here's How To Stay At Home!
By: Patricia Spencer


Making a living from home has been the dream of millions of Americans. Since the Internet was born, many have ventured out to make thousands of dollars on their own every month, even enough for many to quit their regular jobs. And now, with gas prices at or near all-time highs, it's a great time to show your disgust by giving up your commute and staying at home.

I know what you're thinking: "How can I possibly make enough money to quit my job? How can I take that risk?" It's true that Internet millionaires are rare, but if you're looking to supplement or even replace your current salary, it may be easier than you think.

No matter what kind of business you're looking at or what promises they make of being the "next big thing," it all comes down to one basic idea: if you have something people want, you can sell it for profit.

No matter how high-tech or advanced technology gets, the number one reason people even surf the Internet is to find information. You're doing it yourself right now. Even better, many people are willing to pay for good information, and that's where those good old ebooks come in.

You don't have to be a writer, and you hardly have to lift a finger once your business is in place. If you want to write your own ebook and sell it, great. You probably have some know-how, experience, or talent others would benefit from. However, there are many ebooks available online with full resale rights. So once you purchase your own copy, you profit 100%.

I firmly believe that anyone, regardless of income or experience, can duplicate a successful system for creating a profitable ebook business. So when you're looking for a way to profit online, don't overlook this industry. As long as your price is reasonable and your information is sound, you can make money.


About the Author:Author Patricia Spencer is creator of the popular ebook, "Blueprint to Massive Income." This step-by-step manual for setting up your own ebook business produces wonderful results in a short amount of time. Earn $500 to $1,000 per day! http://www.MakeResidual4Life.com. Reach Patricia at Support@makeresidual4life.comRead more articles by: Patricia Spencer Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How A Single Mother Can Save On Gasoline For The Car

Financial Help For Single Mother- Tips For Saving On Gas Money
By: Kellyk Kennedy

With gas prices on an all time high, and the Internet being so convenient, it’s a wonder if this could be of financial assistance for single mother. Instead of going all over town to get your errands accomplished, there is help for single mother with having the stores send the products you need right to your doorstep?

If you need to transportation day to day, here a few tips to help you save money on gas, but keep reading for more ways to cut costs of money spent at the pump.

As help for single mother here are 10 great tips to cut the amount of gas your car uses:

1. Purchase your gasoline when it's the coolest temperature outside such as early morning or at night. Gas becomes denser in cooler temperatures. Gas pumps only measure the volume of fuel, not the density so you'll get better overall gas mileage for your money.

2. Check your car's tire pressure each month with a good-quality dial-type gauge. Tires that are under inflated will reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. If your tires are under inflated it can also causes premature tire wear giving your tires a shorter life span.

3. Drive the speed limit. Cars use about 20% more fuel driving at 70 miles per hour than they do at 55 miles per hour.

4. Avoid using air conditioning unless necessary. Air conditioning reduces fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Substitute air conditioning with the air ventilation system or crack the windows.

5. Don't drive with the windows down when traveling at high speeds. Having open windows on the highway can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%.

6. Remove any car racks or items which make your car less aerodynamic when not being used. Leaving them on will only make your car less fuel efficient and cost you more money.

7. There is no need to let your car idle for a long period of time. Even on cold mornings, cars don't need to idle more than 30 seconds. Especially with newer cars, they are designed to be driven almost immediately. Letting your car idle longer is a waste of gas.

8. It's better to turn your car off and then turn it on again than to let it idle for more than 45 seconds.

9. Remove any excess weight from your car. If you use the trunk as a storage space, its just adding unneeded pounds. This unnecessary weight reduces the car's fuel efficiency about 1% for every 100 lbs.

10. Higher-octane gas is a waste of money for most cars. Regular unleaded gas, which is approximately 87 octane, is the least expensive and is what you should be purchasing. Octane is a measurement of how hard it is to ignite the gas, not the quality of the gas. Purchase mid or high-octane gas if your engine pings, knocks or rattles when using the regular unleaded fuel.

More Financial Assistance for Single Mother- In Comfort of your own Home

These financial assistance for single mother tips may not seem all that worth while but if you try them, you’ll notice a difference in how often you are refueling and the cost you pay for gas decreasing.

There is help for single mother that can help you save time and money by staying in the comfort of your own home. It’s called online shopping, and if you’re not doing it, then you’re missing out!

Have your groceries delivered to your doorstep. Talk about service and a little financial help for single mother. Not only are you saving your gas money but you aren’t tempted to pick up those items you don’t necessarily need like candy at the checkout or other impulse buys. Instead of you having to walk the aisles of the crowded food stores, simply fill out the online form for participating stores near you and they’ll deliver them for you.

Purchase stamps online.

Rent your movies and DVDs online through participating online movie DVD rental services.

Buy your clothes online. Although most people need to be in the store to try on clothes, if you’ve been to the store before that you are ordering from you should know what size fits making it easier to shop online. Just make sure shipping costs don’t outweigh driving there and back to get the items.

The products online are what seem to be endless. As help for single mother it would be best to do as much as you without leaving the comfort of your home and you’ll be sure to save on gas expenses. A little financial assistance for single mother never hurt right?! For more help for single mother please visit http://www.singlemotherresources.com

About the Author:Kelly is a contributing writer for a number of international financial journals both online and in print. Kelly has been delivering financial education to the public in a variety of areas to include budgeting, credit and debt management, and money saving tips. Recently, Kelly has been in partnership with a national educational foundation.Read more articles by: Kellyk Kennedy Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Clean And Tiny Car Can Save Gas Mileage?

Clean Car For Good Gas Mileage
By: Marilyn Pokorney

In addition to all the practical ways, such as not speeding, keeping proper tire pressure and combining several trips into one there are many more ways you can increase gas mileage by simply taking good care of your vehicle.

Keep the engine well tuned and in good running order.

Make sure the spark plugs are in good shape.

Be sure the valves are adjusted properly.

Keep the carburetor clean. A dirty carburetor can cause a car to use 5 to 9 percent more gas than a clean one.

Maintain a clean catalytic converter.

Keep air filters clean. Clogged air filters lower fuel consumption as much as 10%.

Faulty oxygen sensors lower fuel consumption by as much as 40 percent.

Make sure the automatic choke is working properly.

Change the oil regularly as recommended by your cars manual.

Remove snow tires as soon as possible in the spring and replace them with radial tires to gain a 4 percent gas efficiency.

Remove roof and ski racks if not using them regularly. The wind drag caused by these additions reduce fuel efficiency by 5 percent.

Remove unnecessary items from the car and trunk. For every 100 pounds the car eats up 0.5 percent more gas.

For pickup owners remove the tailgate or put it down if not using it. Or replace it with the net-type of gate or use a bed cover. Tailgates cause a drag effect reducing gas mileage by as much as 15 percent.

When driving in muddy conditions clean the car often. Mud under the bumpers and wheel wells add on unnecessary weight.

And lastly, one popular myth today is to pour acetone, or nail polish remover which is mostly acetone, into the gas tank. In tests performed on the gas lines, the thickness of the fuel line went from 3/8 to 1/32 in just 3 days. Acetone, if spilled, will also eat the paint and finish on your vehicle.

About the Author:For more information on keeping your car clean visit: http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/5starshine.htm Marilyn Pokorney - Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.netRead more articles by: Marilyn Pokorney Article Source: www.iSnare.com

The Best Gas Conservation Help Around

Some Of The Best Gas Saving Tips
By: Gil Stephens

If you have a car and you are sick and tired of paying too much money for your gas then you need to find some effective gas saving tips. Gas prices have gone up significantly due to the latest storm and there is no sign of relief in sight so it is that much more important for you to learn some of these gas saving tips.

One of the best gas saving tips out there is to purchase your gas in the morning or in the evening. Since gas is denser in the colder temperatures you will actually be getting more gas for your money when you do this. This is also a good ideas because there is more chance of you missing the rush.

Another of the great gas saving tips is to check out the prices at the pump before you go to the gas station. The internet is a wonderful and easy way for you to do this. This way you will not have to be driving around wasting gas and money in order to find the best price. This is one of the best gas saving tips because of the money saving aspects of it.

Gas saving tips are great to have at your fingertips and you can have tons of them right now by visiting www.amazinggassavingsecrets.com. At this site you will be able to learn all of the gas saving tips that you will ever need to know.

About the Author:Gil Stephens is the author of Amazing Gas Saving Secrets (http://www.amazinggassavingsecrets.com). Gil drives a 1 ton SUV, but spends less on gas than can some people in a Hyundai. He proclaims to save anyone at least $400 per year with his 57 amazing gas conserving tips and suggestions...if not, he'll buy you gas for a year!Read more articles by: Gil Stephens Article Source: www.iSnare.com

What Is A Gas Bank? How You Can Save Money With A Gas Bank Of Your Own

Is It Time To Make A Withdrawal From The Gas Bank?
By: Diane Nassy


Wouldn’t it be great if you could have predicted the ridiculous prices that gasoline would hit, and bought a bunch of it before prices went through the roof?

Actually, many people did just that and, no, they didn’t have big underground storage tanks in their back yards. These people joined a Gas Bank. “Eh, what’s that?” you ask. Gas Bank, Gas Tank, what’s the difference? You don’t deposit gas into a gas bank, you deposit money. Here’s how it all works….

Joining a Gas Bank is a lot liking trading on the commodities market. When you join, you pre-purchase a supply of gas at the then current price. You receive a stored-value card, which is somewhat like a debit card, that you use to turn the gas pumps on at the bank’s filling station.

Regardless of which way the price of gas goes, and it’s been only going up lately, you’re getting it for the prearranged price.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say that you bought 100 gallons of gas when the price was $1.999. You gave the gas bank $199.99, and they reserved 100 gallons of gas for you at the $1.999 price. Every time you go to the bank’s filling station, you simply insert your card into the pump’s card reader and put gas into your tank. The gas bank deducts $1.999 for your account for each gallon. If the actual price of gas today is $3.009, you’re getting it at the locked-in price of $1.999. Once you have used 100 gallons of gas, the amount that you originally purchased, you can purchase more gas “credits” and whatever price gas is selling for on the day that you make your new deposit.

Now, before you run out the door screaming “Halleluiah”, you should know that there aren’t too many Gas Banks around. In fact, the only one that has any real visibility is located in Minnesota.

First Fuel Banks of St. Cloud, MN has over 8,000 members who are glad that they were smart enough to catch on to a good thing. Many of the members are fleet owners who operate several vehicles for their business. Although Mom and Pop drivers are saving a bundle as well, these commercial drivers are getting dizzy over how great the savings are.

One business owner locked in 8,000 gallons when the price way at $2.069, and he’s saving $.49 per gallon now that the price is hovering around $2.559 in his neck of the woods. While that may not seem like a fortune, he’ll save nearly $4,000 by the time he burns through his 8,000 gallons. Of course, most regular drivers don’t use anywhere near that amount of gas in a reasonable amount of time. But they’re still saving big by locking in a couple of hundred gallons at a time.

First Fuels Banks owners Denis Feneis, and his sons Jim and Dan, claim that the operation is profitable and predict that it will remain so. If there isn’t a Gas Bank near you, maybe you should start one.

About the Author:Diane Nassy is the founder of http://www.save-on-gas-prices.com. Visit her website for great tips on ways to save on rising gas prices. Email : deeljeabiz@gmail.comRead more articles by: Diane Nassy Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How Credit Cards Can Cut Gas Prices

Use Credit Cards To Cut Gas Prices
By: Diane Nassy

With gasoline prices soaring out of control, wouldn’t it be nice if you could shave even a few pennies off of every gallon?

The Key to Lowering Your Gasoline Costs is to “Charge It”

Yep, charge it, but not just on any credit card. If you want to start paying less at the pump then it’s out with the old and in with the new. You may need to replace your current charge card with a gasoline “cash back” card.

Cash Back is Nothing New

The Discover Card has been offering it for years, but there’s a new breed of cash-back cards, ones that offer rebates on gasoline purchases, and those are the cards that we’re talking about.

As gas prices continue to escalate, many oil companies are offering gasoline price incentives to get you to apply for their affinity card. Some offer a straight cents-off rebate for every gallon you buy, while others offer percent of purchase rebate. With those rebates running as much as 5%, or higher, it doesn’t take a calculator to figure out that a $3.00 per gallon can become $2.85 per gallon just by choosing the right credit card when you pay at the pump.

Many of these credit cards have annual rebate limits and those limits vary. So check the Terms and Conditions before you apply.

Most gasoline rebate deals are offered through joint ventures between major banks and the oil companies. In order to get in on the savings, you have to apply for a Visa or MasterCard that bears some oil company’s logo.

For example, Hess Oil has teamed up with Chase Bank to offer the Hess Visa Platinum Card. Besides no annual fee, it offers a 10% rebate on all Hess gasoline purchases for the first 90 days, a 5% rebate after that, and a 1% rebate on any purchases made anywhere else for practically anything else.

Even though that 10% doesn’t last forever, a $3.00 per-gallon price becomes $2.70, and if you’re planning a road trip anytime soon, it just might make sense to apply for a card.

If Hess isn’t a familiar name where you live, Marathon is offering the exact same deal for their Chase/Marathon MasterCard.

Gasoline discounter Speedway also has a deal with Chase and MasterCard, but they’re only offering 8% for the first 60 days, 4% after that, and 1% on any other purchases.

Don’t forget to check the credit cards that are already in your wallet. American Express Blue cards offer 5% back for all gasoline and grocery store purchases, and Discover is offering “up to 10% off” at gas stations.

And if you’re a student, the CitiBank Student MasterCard gives 5% cash back on gasoline and grocery store purchases as well.

A penny saved is a penny earned and that penny does more good in your pocket than in the oil company’s. Check your wallet to see if there are hidden gasoline savings inside. If not, grab a credit card that pays you to pump gas.

About the Author:Diane Nassy is the founder of http://www.save-on-gas-prices.com. Visit her website for great tips on ways to save on rising gas prices. Email : deeljeabiz@gmail.comRead more articles by: Diane Nassy Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Save Money At The Gas Pump

10 More Tips For Saving Cash On Your Gas
By: Pete Lance


Learn some of the best tips to get optimum gas mileage. Here we’ve compiled 10 more tips to help you stretch your dollar at the gas station!

If you have not seen our previous article (10 Tips For Saving Cash On Your Gas), you might want to do a search for it on our website (http://www.usgastracker.org) or on http://www.isnare.com

Alright, on to the tips!

Tip 1: Watch Your Gas
You should be aware of the amount of fuel you use. Notice your car's performance, such as the mileage per gallon. When fuel efficiency decreases, your car may need servicing.

Tip 2: Buy Gas from a Busy Station
A gas station that is consistently busy has to refill its underground tanks regularly. Slower stations that don't refill as often may have stale contaminated gas in its underground tanks, and this contamination will affect your fuel economy.

Tip 3: Turn the Nozzle
After you have finished filling up your tank, you should twist the gas pump nozzle a full 180 degrees. This will drain a bit more gas into your tank, sometimes up to an entire half cup. If you don't do this, the extra gas would just be a bonus to the next gas customer.

Tip 4: Tighten the Gas Cap
Tighten your gas cap until it clicks. This will help prevent the gasoline from evaporating and escaping.

Tip 5: Check Your Car’s Tire Pressure
You should check your car's tire pressure regularly. Under inflated tires reduce your car's fuel efficiency, and also causes premature tire wear, affecting the life-span of your tires.

Tip 6: Remove Excess Weight from Your Car
You should remove excess weight from your car. Some people use the car trunk as a storage space, adding unnecessary weight to the car. This will reduce your car's fuel efficiency.

Tip 7: Keep Your Car Tuned-Up
Always keep your car tuned up to ensure optimum performance. Car's that have not been serviced for a long time often have poorer fuel efficiency.

Tip 8: Use Your Car Less
You can try to arrange car pools with co-workers to reduce the cost of getting to work. To save even more, you can drive less and walk, bike or run to your intended destination, especially if the place is nearby.

Tip 9: Change Your Work Start Time
If it is possible, change your work start and end time to avoid traffic congestions. Stopping and going affects your gas mileage.

Tip 10: Don’t Fill Up When the Price is High
Lastly, when the price is high, don't fill up. You should wait for the prices to go down before you fill up, especially if your gas tank is more than half full. Filling up when the price is high tells the gas companies that people are willing to pay ridiculous prices for gasoline.

About the Author:

Pete Lance is the founder of http://www.USGasTracker.org, a premier company which helps the consumer save money on gasoline. Thousands of gas stations across the nation are tracked daily to guarantee the lowest prices on gasoline anywhere in the United States. Sign up for a free daily email with the lowest gas prices for your zip code. http://www.usgastracker.org

Read more articles by: Pete Lance

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Hints On How To Save Your Cash On Gas

10 Tips For Saving Cash On Your Gas
By: Pete Lance

Gas prices are getting more and more ridiculous. And it’s going to keep increasing with no limit in sight! For the new car owners out there, do you know that a gallon of unleaded gasoline used to cost only $1.25?

Therefore, it is becoming more and more important to maximize your money and save at the gas station.

So here we have compiled 10 best tips to help you get the most out of your dollar!

Tip 1: Shop Around
This is the advice that you can apply anytime you buy anything. Always shop around. You can get a cheaper price for your favorite brand, and probably a yet cheaper price for a different brand.

Tip 2: Use a Gasoline Credit Card
Gasoline credit cards are great! They can save you 5% – 10% off your gasoline purchase.

Tip 3: Buy Gasoline When the Weather is Cool
Gasoline is denser in cooler temperatures, such as in the morning or at night. Gas stations measure volume, not density, so you'll be getting more solid fuel than vapors, thus improving your overall gas mileage.

Tip 4: Avoid Gas Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks
When underground tanks are refilled, particles at the bottom of the tank get stirred up, and when these particles get into your gasoline tank, they affect the fuel efficiency of your car.

Tip 5: Don’t Top Off
The gas pump needs time to draw out the full amount of gas, so When you purchase a bit of gas the station, you get short bursts of fuel that you'll probably pay extra for. You should refill your tank when you have less than half a talk left or when you find a price that is so low you cannot afford to miss it.

Tip 6: Don’t Use High Octane Gas
Most cars nowadays are built to run on regular unleaded gas. Purchasing higher octane gas is simply a waste of money. Octane measures how hard it is to ignite gas, not the quality of the gas, so getting higher octane gas will not improve fuel efficiency. You should only get these more expensive gases when your engine pings, knocks or rattles.

Tip 7: Pump Your Own Gas
It's cheaper to pump your own gas at the self-serve stations rather than using the full-serve pumps. Full-serve gasoline naturally costs more.

Tip 8: Lessen the Use of Air-Conditioning
This tip is simple enough. Air-conditioning uses electricity, and they can reduce fuel economy by up to 20%. It's advisable to use the air ventilation system instead.

Tip 9: Plan Your Trip
You can avoid unnecessary driving by planning your trip before hand, and of course that saves you money on gas consumption.

Tip 10: Purchase Vehicles That Get Good Mileage
This is probably one of the best tips anybody can give on saving money at the gas pump. It's always better to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage. Check with your car dealer about cars that have better fuel economy.

Pete Lance is the founder of http://www.USGasTracker.org, a premier company which helps the consumer save money on gasoline. Thousands of gas stations across the nation are tracked daily to guarantee the lowest prices on gasoline anywhere in the United States. Sign up for a free daily email with the lowest gas prices for your zip code. http://www.usgastracker.orgRead more articles by: Pete Lance Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Gas Mileage

Tips To Maximizing Fuel Economy In Today's Climate Of High Gas Prices
By: William Bolton

High costs at the pump have you troubled? Find yourself at the pump yet again dishing out another $50 - $100? Well, you're not alone. The rising price of gas is on most of our minds and pocketbooks these days leaving us wondering if and when there will be a reprieve.

Until gas prices do normalize, there are some things that you can do to stretch that next tank of gas. Here are 10 tips that should save you a few extra bucks at the pump:

1. Instead of running multiple errands, consolidate your trips into one thus eliminating significant and unnecessary travel.

2. In congested, urban areas, avoid rush hour traffic. Gridlock and its start and stop travel is one of the quickest ways to drain that gas tank.

3. Resist the temptation to drive alone. Carpool with your co-workers. Carpooling with three of your colleagues means you only drive every fourth week saving you a bundle in fuel costs over the course of a year.

4. In cold weather climates, have an engine block heater installed. This will reduce the amount of fuel needed to warm the car on those cold winter mornings.

5. Resist turning on the AC at the first sign of warm weather. Air conditioning burns up allot of fuel. If you're driving in the city, a better alternative is to roll down the windows and open all vents. Highway driving is a different story though. The drag from open windows can also result in your burning more fuel. If you have to, roll up the windows and place the AC on the lowest setting.

6. Remove roof racks and overhead carriers when not in use. The drag created by these will result in less fuel economy.

7. Remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle that will cause the engine to work harder and use more fuel.

8. Ensure your vehicle is tuned up on a regular basis. A properly tuned vehicle operates more efficiently resulting in the consumption of less fuel.

9. Alter your driving style. Do you accelerate quickly from a starting position? Gradually accelerating until you've reached your optimum speed will result in a significant gas savings over the long haul.

10. Routinely have your brakes and tire pressure checked. Poorly working brakes can result in your vehicle working harder and using more fuel. The same for your tires, under or over inflated tires will result in the consumption of more fuel.

Following even just a few of these tips should save you some money.


About the Author:William Bolton is owner-operator of Leasedwheels.com, a website specializing in assisting people exit their auto leases early by connecting them with people looking to takeover a lease. If you're stuck in a lease you need out of or wish to take over an existing lease on a short-term basis with no money down, visit: http://www.leasedwheels.comRead more articles by: William Bolton Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How Gas Prices Impact Inflation

Gas Prices And The Impact Of Inflation
By: Jonathan Citrin

Year---Item-------------------Price---Rate of Inflation
03/80--Gasoline (per gallon)--1.252
03/05--Gasoline (per gallon)--2.065---2.02%

03/80--Bread, white, per lb---0.502
03/05--Bread, white, per lb---1.002---2.80%

03/80--Consumer Price Index---80.10
03/05--Consumer Price Index---193.30---3.59%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)

What is Inflation?
Inflation is an indication of the rising cost of goods and services in the economy. For example, a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was 1.252 in March of 1980. Comparatively, that same gallon was priced at 2.065 in March of 2005. Therefore, over the last 25 years, the cost of a gallon of gas has increased at an average annual rate of inflation of 2.02%. As another example, during the same 25 year period, the price of white bread increased at an annual rate of 2.80%.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is widely accepted as the measurement of general inflation in the United States. The CPI is calculated monthly by the U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is an index based on the cost of items in more than 200 categories. They include: breakfast cereal, milk, wine, bedroom furniture, men's shirts and sweaters, jewelry, physicians' services, televisions, sports equipment, college tuition, postage, and haircuts.

Simply stated, the CPI tells us the average change over time in the cost of goods and services. From March 1980 to March 2005, the inflation of general goods and services averaged 3.59% annually.

How is Inflation Relevant?
Inflation has an impact on our plans for the future. When saving for retirement, college, a house, or simply budgeting for the next 12 months, the cost of goods and services have a direct impact on your goals. Due to inflation, your goals may cost more in the future than today. A meal that costs $10 today may cost $10.36 in one year. A car that costs $10,000 today may cost $10,359 in one year, and almost $12,000 in only 5 years. So, when planning for the future, you must consider inflation and the effect it may have on your goals.

Ways to Combat Inflation
One way to overcome prices that may rise due to inflation is to make your money grow at a rate higher than inflation. For example, if inflation is 3.59% annually, you will need to make your money grow at 3.60% or higher. Otherwise, though you may be saving and investing toward your goals, you may never actually achieve them.

Many investments provide a vehicle for "outpacing" inflation. Generally, stocks and bonds have historically earned an annual rate above inflation. Through careful planning and investing, it is possible to overcome inflation and its impact on prices.

In summary, a plan that does not account for inflation is in danger of failing. Therefore, it is important to remember inflation and invest in assets that will enable you to achieve your goals despite the effects inflation may have on the cost of goods and services.

About the Author:Jonathan Citrin provides financial goal planning services. Go to http://articles.citringroup.com/ for hundreds of educational articles about Personal Finance, Retirement Planning,Investment Planning, and College Savings. Read more articles by: Jonathan Citrin Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Tips On How To Save Money Due To Gas Prices

Debt Consolidation – Ways To Save On High Gas Prices
By: Charles Essmeier

Memorial Day has come and gone, and the great American travel season is here. During the summer, most Americans take at least one extended vacation, and four fifths take that trip by automobile. Unfortunately, this year, the price of gas is near record highs, and no one likes to spend their vacation money on gasoline. While there is little to be done about the price of gas itself, there are some things the average vacationer can do to help ease the costs of auto travel.

# Tune up the car. Making sure that your car is running at its best will help you achieve better gas mileage. In addition to tuning up your car, you should also check to make sure that your tires are inflated to their proper pressure.

# Other small things that can help with gas mileage are keeping your car washed and waxed and keeping your luggage inside of your vehicle. Bicycles, luggage, and canoes tied on top create additional air resistance, which increases gas consumption.

# Make sure that your air conditioner works properly. While the use of your air conditioner increases gas consumption, it’s better than driving with your windows open.

# If you have a credit card that offers a cashback bonus, such as the Discover card, use that for gas purchases instead of an oil company credit card. Discover even offers a credit card now that is made especially for gas purchases. It offers a larger cashback bonus for than the regular Discover card.

# Some gas stations offer a lower price if you pay cash. If that’s the case, then pay cash.

# Shop around. The gas stations closest to the Interstate may not have the lowest prices. You might save a bit by purchasing your gas a bit further from the highway.

# Drive at or near the speed limit. Most cars get better gas mileage at 55 miles per hour than they do at 70.

# Shop around before you travel. There are several Websites, such as GasPriceWatch.com, that can show you gas prices throughout your travel route.

Each of the items listed above will offer a slight savings in the price of gasoline or in gas consumption. The effect of each one may be small, but the cumulative effect should be noticeable. And every penny you save on gas is a penny you can spend on a memorable souvenir, instead.

About the Author:©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and http://www.homeequityhelp.net a site devoted to information regarding home equity loans.Read more articles by: Charles Essmeier Article Source: www.iSnare.com

What You Need To Know About The Ford Escape Hybrid

Ford Escape Hybrid: First Gas-electric-powered Suv And Ford Replacement Parts For Its Exceptional Performance
By: Jenny McLane


The Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel-saving, gas-electric hybrid-power version of small, four-door sport-utility vehicle, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4x4). Its power train has 2.3-liter, four-cylinder gas engine rated 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 129 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm; synchronous AC electric motor rated 94 hp from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm; 330-volt battery pack under rear cargo floor; electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission. Maximum power output is 155 hp because gas and electric do not make their maximum power simultaneously.

It has a 2.3-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 70-kilowatt permanent-magnet traction electric motor, regenerative braking and a 330-volt battery pack. The combination provides performance on par with a V-6. The hybrid never has to be plugged in because the engine recharges the batteries, by the electric motor and by heat recovered as energy during braking.

"The Escape hybrid really "wants" to be an electric vehicle, but the gasoline engine adds power for acceleration, charges the batteries and powers the air conditioning," said Mary Ann Wright, Ford's director of Sustainable Mobility Programs

Unlike electric cars, hybrids never need to be plugged into a recharger. Regenerative braking recharges the Ford Escape Hybrid, which converts electric motor into a generator to help refill the battery pack during stops; and by a recharging system powered by the gas engine.

Designed to last for the life of the vehicle and can be found under the Escape's cargo floor, the battery pack, which contains 250 small batteries roughly the size of D cells mounted in series doesn't infringe on cargo space.

The software and computerized controllers that make everything work effectively is the key to a hybrid. Small badges identify the Ford Escape as a hybrid. The instrument panel is a little different because it contains a gauge that shows when the electric motor is the source of power and when the gasoline engine is running. An optional LCD display in the center stack gives instant and average fuel economy as well as a pictorial representation of how the power is flowing at any instant.

The Escape's hybrid engine shuts down at rest to conserve fuel. When driving resumes, the SUV's 70-kilowatt traction motor generator can launch the vehicle on electric power. When it's needed, the generator starts the gas engine without the increased emissions produced when a conventional engine is started. The Escape Hybrid also produces as little as half the amount of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) as a conventional gas engine. It produces 97 percent less hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions than vehicles meeting today’s required emission standards. That qualifies it for the Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards designation.

Being the leader in the development of low emission vehicles, Ford continually develops projects that will someday result in practical hydrogen-powered vehicles with no greenhouse gas emissions.
As zealous as Ford in continually upgrading its products to suit every client needs, Partstrain is always looking for superior and quality workmanship for its product lines. Only the finest Ford auto body parts comprise its stock.

Find, compare and buy Ford Automotive Parts, Accessories, and other Car products at Its online store http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/FORD We supply discount ford parts for the Ford Courier, Ford Explorer, Ford Escape, Ford Econoline Van, Ford Expedition, Ford Taurus, Ford Maverick, Ford Falcon, Ford Thunderbird, Ford Fairlane, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford F-series pickup and many other Ford models.

About the Author:Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.Read more articles by: Jenny McLane Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How To Improve Gas Mileage Without Major Changes To Your Car

Improve Gas Mileage Without Damaging Your Car
By: Marilyn Pokorney

Many of the gas saving devices being advertised do not work
and can actually damage your vehicle.

After evaluating and testing more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices, the Environmental Protection Agency hasfound only a few that improve mileage and none that do sosignificantly.

The gas-saving products on the market seem to fall intoclearly defined categories. These include, but are notlimited to: air-bleed devices, vapor-bleed devices, liquidinjection devices, ignition devices, fuel line devices,mixture enhancers, internal engine modification devices,fuels and fuel additives, oils and oil additives, anddriving habit modifiers.

The EPA evaluates or tests products to determine whethertheir use will result in any measurable improvement to fueleconomy. However, the EPA cannot say what effect gas-savingproducts will have on a vehicle over a long period of time.It is possible that some products may harm the car oradversely affect its performance.

For example, if an "air bleed" device actually addssignificant amounts of air to the air-and-fuel mixture, itmay cause an engine to misfire, a condition which greatlyincreases the potential engine damage or mechanical failure.This is especially likely to happen on cars manufacturedbetween 1974 and 1982, because their carburetors are pre-setfor a maximum amount of air to be burned with the fuel."Air-bleed" devices will not work at all on many carsmanufactured after 1982, because these cars have "feedback"carburetors that automatically adjust the air-and-fuelmixture rendering the device useless.

Many ads feature glowing testimonials by satisfiedcustomers. There are too many variables that affect fuelconsumption, such as traffic, road and weather conditions,the car's condition and overall maintenance, and the drivinghabits of the owner.

In one case a consumer sent a letter to a company praisingits gas-saving product. But what was not mentioned in theadvertisement was the fact that the consumers vehicle alsohad an engine tune-up at the time the device was installed.

Some advertisers claim that the gas-saving device isapproved by the Federal government. No government agencyendorses gas-saving products for cars. The seller can onlystate that the item has been tested by the EPA. If theadvertiser claims that the product has been tested by theEPA ask to see the results or contact the EPA directly.

If you have already purchased a gas-saving product and youare not satisfied, contact the manufacturer and ask for arefund. An honest company offers a money-back guarantee.If you are not satisfied with the company's response,contact your local or state consumer protection agency orthe Better Business Bureau.

Keeping your car in tip top condition is the best way to getthe best gas mileage your vehicle has to offer. Everyvehicle come with an owners manual. Read and follow whatthe manufacturer recommends.

Three simple steps that will help improve gas mileage in allvehicles:

Getting a tune-up.
Checking tire pressure.
Removing any excess weight from the car's trunk.

For over 20 more tips and one secret hint go to http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/gasmiles.htm

About the Author:

Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

Read more articles by: Marilyn Pokorney

Article Source: www.iSnare.com