Joey Lee asked:


Many people are now getting frustrated with their usual gas-guzzling conventional car because of the constant increase in fuel prices and are they are actively looking for alternative modes of travel. Some people are now leaving their cars in the garage, preferring to car-pool, cycle or even walk to work to conserve fuel. More are turning to public transportation at the subways, bus stations braving even the worst of weather, simply to save on the ever-increasing fuel costs. However, there are some who simply need their car due to job nature or family obligations.

Hybrid Cars - Your Alternative to Gasoline Guzzlers. The alternatives to cheaper fuel costs and lower gasoline consumption, are to start trading off their old conventional gas-guzzling cars and purchase a different breed of car that can easily cut fuel consumption by half. These new line of cars are called hybrid cars and yes, your fuel consumption could effectively achieve about 50 mpg or miles per gallon with hybrid cars. Hybrid cars produce fewer pollutants than conventional cars. This means that not only will you cut fuel consumption by more than half, you will also decrease the level of pollution that is poisoning the environment and people. With hybrid cars, everyone can benefit from it.

How Hybrid Cars Work. The concept of the hybrid car is quite simple. Hybrid cars combine electricity, which is the cleanest energy source available, and internal combustion gasoline engine to run the car. In simple words, hybrid cars utilize both electricity and gasoline energy to power the car. Firstly when your hybrid car is started and in idle mode or not running, the gasoline engine is automatically shut off. You car is then purely running on electricity. That explains the reason behind why hybrid cars are very quiet. This is also the reason why it can effectively conserve fuel consumption. Once you step on the accelerator, the internal combustion engine will automatically start up again.

There are also hybrid cars that can run purely on electric mode. This is very useful if you are only using the car for local travels. You virtually don’t even need to put gasoline in the car. Most hybrid cars developed today no longer need to be plugged in like the electric car. The used kinetic energy when you are braking will be the one to recharge the battery. This is how simple a hybrid car works. It will be comprised of a battery for energy storage, a generator, an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank, and an electric motor.

However, for long distance travel, especially along the highway, you will need more power to drive your engines. The gasoline or fuel combustion will kick in when you need stronger power on the road. It is also used for back up power in case the battery is discharged.

So get out there and do your research on the various Hybrid cars in the market. It is time to start getting rid of the gasoline guzzlers and more so, your gasoline woes. Start saving on fuel consumption, contribute to the environment in generating lower toxic fumes and you even get to claim tax rebates from the government!

Do check out my site for more information on Environmentally Friendly Cars.



MARYANNE

Carssure asked:


Environmentally friendly cars are supposed to be the vehicles of future  generations. Nevertheless such cars exist now and are becoming more popular in the modern car market than conventional vehicles which work on fossil fuels. The advantages of such cars are not only in their lower harmfulness for the environment and people’s health but also in the lower fuel costs. However their production is rather expensive, so it is a moot point both for the customers and the automobile manufacturers. So they are more expensive to buy but they pay for themselves in a period of about 5 years because they consume less expensive fuels.

Here are the common types of environmentally friendly cars:

- Electric cars;

- Fuel-cell-powered cars (hydrogen and oxygen cars);

- Hybrid cars;

- Solar cars.

Electric cars operate on rechargeable batteries which are the most expensive parts of this type of vehicles. Most electric cars look like conventional vehicles and one usually cannot tell them apart. Electric cars are very quiet and produce no exhaust fumes at all. The interior of the cars is stuffed with wiring harness.

Fuel-cell-powered cars operate on chemical reactions between different fuel cells (like hydrogen and oxygen) which merge to turn into a new matter. As a matter of fact fuel-cell-powered cars are similar to electric cars because they work on electricity which comes as a result of such chemical reactions. They are also as quiet and ecological as electric ones, plus fuel-cell-powered cars almost don’t need any maintenance or repairs because there is almost no friction between the car parts of such vehicles. All in all this kind of environmentally friendly cars is supposed to be very economical and ecological and could be the champion among green cars but for one essential aspect – hydrogen is a very flammable gas and when it comes with oxygen a car accident can be very destructive.

Hybrid cars are something in between electric cars, fuel-cell-powered cars or gasoline cars. They are very ecological and produce almost no exhaust fumes. Hybrid cars are more widespread than other environmentally friendly cars.

Solar cars operate on the solar energy which they accumulate with the help of built-in solar panels. Solar cars have a very peculiar shape which most likely resembles spaceships from Star Wars. They are more uncommon and are not produced on regular basis. They can be driven at high speeds for a long time powered only by the energy of the sun.

Environmentally friendly cars have become the choice of many people who decided to reduce the influence of burning fossil fuels on the nature.



GILBERT

Kenny Jones asked:


These days, more and more people are getting concerned about the environment, and the harmful affects that their vehicle can pose. Unfortunately, not everyone can run out and buy a new hybrid or other environmentally friendly car. But, with proper maintenance of your vehicle, you too can have a car or truck that is much more friendly to the environment.

Having your vehicle properly maintained by a certified mechanic can go a long way in helping to ensure that your vehicle remains as environmentally friendly as possible. A certified mechanic can perform regular tune ups which will not only keep your vehicle running in tip top shape, but will also help to keep it at peak performance which can make it a more environmentally sound car.

A vehicle that is well tuned will use less gasoline and emit less toxic pollutions, which of course goes a long way in helping the environment. With gas prices being what they are these days, everyone is looking to get the most mileage they can from a tank of gas, and having your vehicle running at it’s optimum performance will help to increase your gas mileage. Additionally, when your vehicle is running properly, is reduces the amount of emissions that your vehicle puts out, which helps to reduce the level of harmful pollutants in the air.

While some people will try and save a few dollars by doing their own tune ups on their vehicles, it is certainly best to take your vehicle to a certified mechanic instead to have the work performed. A certified mechanic can better understand the workings of your vehicle, and may take care of tuning up certain things that the average person may miss when working on your car. With many of the modern advances that have been made in the automotive industry, there are many machines that a certified mechanic can hook your vehicle up to that will help to catch any problems your car may have that you would otherwise not know about.

Furthermore, a mechanic will have the means to properly discard of car parts and car fluids that can be harmful to the environment, that the average citizen does not have access to. Items such as engine parts and tires can be disposed of in the best possible way so that they may be recycled and not end up in a landfill. Fluids from your car such as anti-freeze or used motor oil can be disposed of to the correct facilities, so that they do not end up being dumped on the ground to pollute ground water or harm wildlife.

If you want to make your car more environmentally friendly, make an appointment with your local certified mechanic today to receive a full tune up on your car. This is the best option for ensuring that your car remains running at it’s peak performance, so that it poses less of a threat to the environment.



ALTA

Joey Lee asked:


Car fuel prices are fluctuating and escalating through the roof. Research shows the average age of vehicles to be 9 years. So is keeping your old car and stretching your work horse even further being environmentally friendly? How can we do that without having to spend more on maintenance?

It is a natural course with your car engine wear and tear affecting performance and car fuel consumption gets rises. Check out the following good practice car maintenance to enhance the longevity of your vehicle:

Cars are like humans, you need to keep them in tuned with the seasons. Remember to change to winter tires and add anti-freeze. Plug in your electric cord to warm up the engine half an hour before you start your journey.

And in summer, check your fluids too. The sun heats up and dries the fluids more quickly. Check your oil level, coolant fluids etc. Keep your car in a covered garage.

Sign Up For A Comprehensive Regular Tune-Up Package. The mechanics will do your oil change, change your air filters, check your spark plugs, radiator and fuel injector, test your brake pads, tire pressure, rotate your tires (if required) as well as tune your wheel alignment. Have the computerized system checked by your specialist mechanics. Life saving devices such as the air bags, antilock breaks etc must be checked for safety too.

Change Your Oil Every 3 Months Or 3,000 Miles. Here is a simple example to help you visualize. Imagine re-using the same pot of oil for deep-frying your French fries everyday for 3 weeks… the oil has become a thick crude of glob and your fries tastes weird doesn’t it? Same theory goes for your car. Revitalize your car engine with a fixed scheduled oil change routine.

Listen & Feel the Strange Warning Signs. Be conscious of squeaky noise, gasoline smell, and oil leaks on your garage floor. Check where the noise comes from. Early detection of car faults could save you a ton of money.

Befriend A Good Mechanic. Not only will you save money, you save yourself some anguish from unscrupulous mechanics some of whom change your good parts for bad or recommend unnecessary jobs. And now, get ready to enjoy the ride!



ABRAHAM

Joey Lee asked:


You are an environmentally friendly person and have all the correct reasons to want to buy a Hybrid car. But buying hybrid cars can be a little more complicated than that. The complication is not whether to buy Hybrid cars but more on which to choose from, given the maze of hybrid cars currently in the market.

And just like in any purchasing process, there are certain considerations to be made before you could narrow down with your choices.

The Hybrid Car - A More Intelligent Vehicle. The nature of hybrid cars, or hybrid electric vehicle, HEV has two energy sources for its engines, namely electric and combustion. In an ordinary scenario, like cruising along the highway, the Hybrid car generally runs on one or the other of the sources, until the driver needs more power such as greater acceleration. When this happened, the two engines will operate in unison. Hybrid HEV cars are low emission, fuel efficient, and this is one of the key considerations when buying hybrid cars.

Another beauty of hybrid cars are is that they recharge their batteries while being driven. This literally removes the necessity of plugging the car for electricity. Unlike pure electric cars, which need to be plugged into wall sockets to be recharged.

Speak The Lingo. Prospective buyers should attempt to achieve some level of understanding with terms related in buying hybrid cars. For instance, according to the California Air Resources Board, Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle is a car with 50 percent cleaner emission and a Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle emits 90 % cleaner. There are zero-emission cars however, are purely electric vehicles, not hybrid cars. But pure electric cars are currently still rather cost ineffective and impractical for full scale production.

Your Lifestyle and Travel Needs. When buying hybrid cars, you should consider your work and home locations. Most Hybrid cars are made for urban or suburban travel. Short trips are most suitable for fuel savings, when hybrid cars are using electric engines at low RPMs. Conversely, driving on a highway or interstate travel won’t see much of the expected fuel reduction.

When is the Price Right. The other consideration for consumer before finally buying hybrid cars is the cost. Hybrid cars, are priced higher than gas-powered counterparts due to the fact that production of hybrid cars are still in low numbers and has more mechanically complex to build. But bear in mind that the upfront higher cost of your hybrid will be eventually offset over the long term by fuel saving due to higher fuel efficiency.

Tax Incentives Helps. Buying hybrid cars at present is encouraged by the Federal State, due to the long term benefits of limiting fuel usage. There several tax deduction for new buyers of hybrid cars. Several cities are offering free parking as an additional incentive for low-emissions vehicles. This list of considerations above is by no mean exhaustive. We have examined the factors from broad perspectives.

There is however, one key criterion you need to seriously consider when making your buying decision, namely how a Hybrid car fit into your lifestyle and travelling habits, whether you as an urbanite or a trans-state person is critical in buying that hybrid car..

While it is a fact that Environmentally friendly hybrid cars will be the new future vehicles of today’s roads, the greater question is, are you game for it yet?



LADONNA