Monthly Archives: June 2009

Know The Different Types of Alternative Fuels

Author : Hilal Abdelwali

There are many different types of alternative fuels that are being developed these days which is an exciting innovation in the vehicle industry Alternative fuels are the wave of the future as scientists look for cleaner burning fuels that will not damage the environment while providing great advantages to the vehicle owner They have come up with several

Probably the most well known type of alternative fuel is ethanol Ethanol is often called grain alcohol as it is made from corn and or soybeans Right now on the market is E85 which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline Even though it still has gasoline in it, ethanol burns much cleaner than regular gas and saves on gas mileage for those who use it Ethanol can also be made from organic materials including agricultural crops and waste, plant material left from logging, and trash including paper

Another type of alternative fuel is methanol, a cousin of ethanol as they are both alcohol based products Methanol is sometimes called wood alcohol and can be made from various biomass resources like wood, as well as from coal However, today nearly all methanol is made from natural gas, or methane, because it is cheaper

Propane, or compressed natural gas has long been used to provide energy to homes, but it is rising in popularity as a type of alternative fuel for vehicles Like oil, this common fuel comes from underground However, natural gas, as the name implies, is a gas much like air, rather than a liquid like petroleum It has been found to be one of the most environmentally friendly fuels, and its popularity is growing

You can find another type of alternative fuel in the form of good old fashioned electricity In fact, electric vehicles have been around for a long time, and they are coming back in popularity due to environmental concerns Electric vehicles do not burn gasoline in an engine They use electricity stored on the car in batteries Sometimes, 12 or 24 batteries, or more, are needed to power the car

One of the most interesting and promising type of alternative transportation fuels is hydrogen While mostly only experimental vehicles are operating on this fuel now, the potential for this unique energy source is excellent Hydrogen is the lightest of all elements and is easy to produce which is why it is sending excitement waves throughout the alternative fuel industry as they next big type of alternative fuel that can be used in vehicles

These are only a few types of alternative fuels and more are being developed all the time With a growing concern over global warming, the use of alternative fuels will grow in popularity over time and you will likely begin to see many other types of alternative fuels make their appearance

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How To Install A High Quality Car Stereo In Your Vehicle Yourself

Author : Gregg Hall

So you want a new car stereo system, do you? Maybe the thing that has been holding you back is the expense of having it installed Well, you know you don’t have to be a teenager to be able to install it yourself! It really isn’t all that difficult if you have the right parts and instruction In addition to saving money you get the satisfaction that you did it yourself and it is a great learning experience

The first caveat I must give you is to slow down Do not get in a hurry and try to shove something in where it doesn’t go The majority of car stereo systems are simple to install and usually have matching male-female connectors that only work one way to make it easy Take your time so you don’t ruin the hardware you have bought and paid for

First off before you decide whether or not to install it yourself you need to consider what kind of system you are going to install in your car If this is your first install you want to stay away from anything that is too complicated If you are planning a system with TVs, LCD panels, and other more sophisticated items you would be better off leaving that to the pros

If you are going with just a normal stereo with a head unit and speakers you can definitely do it yourself Head units are really simple and thank God most of them follow the DIN size standards You will recognize that in many cases that after you have removed the factory installed radio an aftermarket system will easily go in the same place with little or no adjustment

If you have an import vehicle from Japan you will likely be using ISO mounting during the install process which is when the radio is screwed to the already existing factory radio brackets Another way of mounting is called ring mounting which is the mounting kit that comes with an aftermarket radio to mount into the hole left by the factory radio Sometimes trim and dash rings have to be filled in around the radio or they made need to be trimmed to make the stereo fit properly Most places have kits that make this simple and you should go ahead and get a head removal tool as well to make that process painless

The speakers are usually very simple to install In most cases you will just use a set of speakers that fit into the same place as did the factory speakers just be sure that there are no unsightly holes or gaps afterwards In many cases the simple act of building a fiberglass or wood baffle can eliminate this problem and give you a much better sound

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about car stereos as well as car parts at http://www.automotivepartsdirect.com

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amp 65279 How to Measure a Carbon Footprint

Author : Net Callidus

Businesses can now assess the carbon footprint of their goods and services and play a greater part in fighting climate change thanks to a new standard launched jointly by BSI British Standards (the UK s National Standards Body), the Carbon Trust and Defra (the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The publicly available standard – called PAS 2050 – provides a consistent way to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions embedded in goods and services throughout their entire life cycle, from sourcing raw materials through to manufacture, distribution, use and disposal

BSI says the aim of the new standard is to help businesses move beyond managing the emissions their own processes create and to look at the opportunities for reducing emissions in the design, making and supplying of products This will then help businesses make goods or services that are less carbon intensive and, ultimately, develop new products with lower carbon footprints

The Carbon Trust has already piloted PAS 2050 with 75 product ranges across a wide range of companies including: PepsiCo, Boots, Innocent, Marshalls, Tesco, Cadbury, Halifax, Coca Cola, Kimberly Clark, The Co operative Group, Scottish &amp Newcastle, Coors Brewers, Muller, British Sugar, ABAgri, Sainsbury s, Danone, Continental Clothing Company, Colors Fruit, Morphy Richards, Mey Selections and Aggregate Industries

As an example of the results obtained, Boots, for its Botanics shampoo, has redesigned its logistics network so that products could be delivered direct to stores, thereby reducing road miles and packaging This has reduced the carbon footprint of making the shampoo by 10 per cent In another example, Innocent worked with one of its suppliers to identify an opportunity for the supplier to set up a group of employees to look at how they could increase the amount of waste materials being recycled throughout the factory In the first month, waste to landfill was reduced by 15 per cent, and within six months the reduction reached 54 per cent

Defra has also carried out research testing of the PAS on up to 100 food products through their production, manufacture and distribution and is studying the greenhouse gas impacts of food preparation and consumption in the home Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: Companies have said they want to be able to count their carbon emissions in a better way, so we have responded By looking at where the emissions are being created and reducing them, businesses can also save themselves money

You cannot see or count emissions when you buy a product But consumers want to know that emissions are being cut by businesses and this standard will help businesses to do that

In addition to measuring and reducing the carbon footprint of their products, from clothing to cosmetics and cottage pies, businesses will be able to offer advice to the public about the most environmentally friendly ways to choose, use and dispose of their products

Carbon Trust Chief Executive Tom Delay added: For the first time, businesses have a robust, consistent standard for measuring the carbon footprint of their goods and services This exciting development will help businesses to really understand the carbon impact of their products and to follow this up with tangible ways to cut carbon emissions across the supply chain

The Carbon Trust has been part of this work from the outset and we are delighted that PAS 2050 is now publicly available for any company to use

Mike Low, director of BSI British Standards, said: PAS 2050 has been developed using BSI s rigorous consultation process, involving almost a thousand industry experts from within the UK and internationally The result is a robust framework within which businesses and public sector bodies will be able to assess the greenhouse gas emissions of their goods and services in a consistent manner

Our hope is that it will be used widely by organisations of all sizes and sectors PAS 2050 is the latest addition to BSI s rapidly expanding stable of standards and tools in the area of sustainability and the environment, which enable organizations to manage their operations in a more sustainable manner

PAS 2050 will pave the way for business to provide transparent and reliable information on the carbon content of their products It can be downloaded free of charge, plus there is a downloadable guide to implementing PAS 2050

Engineer Live brings you all the latest process engineer news and updates from around the globe. http://www.engineerlive.com/Process-Engineer/

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Water Gas Power is the Fuel of the Future

Author : Chelsea Aubin

The planet is in “peril” as many experts agree due to the large amount of toxic emissions generated by thousands of cars running on fossil fuels as well as other factors Automotive manufacturers are doing their part to combat the problem by developing engines that are fueled by water gas power They already have test models on the road and are trying to improve their efficiency as well as promote them to the public It is in our best interests to pay attention and explore the possibility of owning such a vehicle in the future to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, nitrous gases, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons being released into the air we breathe on a daily basis We could eliminate the large amounts of smog and acid rain resulting from dangerous emissions and make the planet healthier as a whole

Technology has lead to the development of hydrogen fuel cells that could power cars, heating systems, and other equipment as we search for ways to efficiently and economically live day to day At this point in time, there are some problems to be worked out with hydrogen cells but experts agree that it shouldn’t be too far off in the future that these cells will be the solution to many of our environmental issues Automotive manufacturers are exploring all the avenues available to them to make cars that run using water as their fuel source an affordable alternative to those running on fossil fuels

As the population grows and the demand for vehicles rises, the amount of pollution in our atmosphere increases at a rapid pace The cost of production of fossil fuels has swelled and some predict availability may be limited in the future Cars using water gas power can save people thousands in fuel and maintenance costs as water is in ample supply and the steam produced by them will keep engines virtually self cleaning For those who believe the planet will suffer from a water shortage, take into consideration that the steam emitted into the air by these cars will be condensed back into water vapor that will replenish our waterways Oxygen released by condensation will also be released into the atmosphere and increase the oxygen levels that are being affected by greenhouse gases

The idea of using steam engines is not new; however, the innovations that are being introduced have led us into a new field of technology Hydrogen fuel cells incorporated into the automotive industry’s development of more efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles puts a new spin on how we can save the planet and improve the health of everyone on it Many people are showing an interest in the concept of driving water powered vehicles and if popularity continues to grow, the cost of owning one of these cars or trucks will soon fall into line with vehicles we use today

Are you tired of paying outrageous prices at the pumps? Discover how you can save money by running your car on water gas power, and discover what scientists are doing to eliminate gas altogether, so that vehicles run solely on the power of hydrogen fuel cells. Get detailed information at http://www.watergaspower.com

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The Efficiency of Hybrid Cars

Author : Mike Kay

Hybrid cars are fast gaining popularity these days And that s because these cars seem to be the smartest option for car owners Hybrid cars, as its name suggests, can run on both electricity and regular fuel Hybrid cars can either be diesel based or gasoline based, depending upon how the manufacturer had created them

Simply stated, hybrid cars can run both on fuel and on batteries Just charge the car for sometime before going out on a trip and you ll have reserve fuel just in case you ran out of gas on an abandoned town For shorter trips, the electricity mode is the best option Hybrid cars are still in the development stages And there are lots of countries that are yet to see these types of cars arriving at their shores

Hybrid cars are created primarily with the aim of reducing the demands for petroleum With the sky rocketing value of fuel prices, it seems not practical to own a car any longer But thanks to hybrid cars, there s a light at the end of the tunnel It could just be the solution to the rising fuel costs

But more than fuel efficiency, hybrid cars are environmental friendly too These cars don t emit gases that may cause greenhouse effect on the environment This especially true if the car is running on electricity mode alone Therefore, these cars contribute to the wellness of the Earth, which had actually suffered much from carbon monoxide emission in the last three centuries

Car makers all over the world are currently busy at work making prototypes and models of new hybrid cars to hit the market The cost of these cars can be really expensive, given the fact that there are not that mass produced just yet However, it is expected that one hybrid SUV should sell at only $23,000 very soon That is the ideal price of these cars, which can be considered affordable given the country s financial situation

American car manufacturer General Motors is expected to release new models of hybrid cars in the near future They are looking to make cars better than their foreign competitors, which are currently enjoying good market sales as far as this car line is concerned

However, there are still a lot of things to address when it comes to hybrid cars, more particularly consumer related issues Even if these cars are jumping in their popularity, not all people appreciate these cars just yet There seems to be a need for intensive promotion in the market to let consumers know about their options For some people, hybrid cars look intimidating and a little too futuristic Others stick to traditional cars because they already know their way around them, as far as repair and maintenance are concerned

But other than these concerns, hybrid cars are expected to stay for a while in the automotive market There will always be a need for these cars and it would come a time when people would start looking for them and prefer them over the cars they knew so well about Manufacturers are eagerly waiting for that time

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The Simple Explanation Of How Hybrid Vehicles Work

Author : Gregg Hall

Let’s start this article off with a little discussion of why you may want to look into using a hybrid car Let’s assume you are looking at buying a hybrid car compared with your current gasoline powered vehicle Let’s also assume that you drive 12,000 miles a year in your Chevrolet Malibu and that your vehicle gets 20 miles to the gallon It would take you 600 gallons of gas a year to get you to where you need to go You could be very frustrated because gas is very high these days Now if you look at buying a hybrid car, and it received 60 miles to the gallon, it would only take you 200 gallons of gas a year to get you everywhere you needed to go If you are able to save yourself from having to buy 400 gallons of gas a year, why would you not do this? That is the reason you need to look into buying a hybrid car

The remainder of this article will give you a quick look at how a hybrid car works so that you can see how this will benefit you The first key is that hybrid cars are built with all the same amenities you will find in any car you currently have If you want to have great fuel savings, you do not need to sacrifice upon anything you’re used to having in your car

Hybrid cars all have an electrical portion of the engine as well as a gasoline powered part of the car When getting you around town, the car will often use electricity when the car is sitting idle or if you’re stopped or in a traffic jam and use the gasoline portion when the car actually needs to accelerate or be put into motion This is how it often works with most hybrid cars but there are also cars which work only on electricity This could be very effective if you find you drive only locally You would have to put gas in the car if you were to take a long trip though

Hybrid cars also use the energy created when you brake to help recharge the electric portion of the motor This allows the car to be as efficient as possible so that the least amount of gas is used This also helps cut down on the amount of emissions which your car will emit if you are driving a hybrid car

A hybrid car is a very clever advancement in the automobile industry and you should think about purchasing one the next time you find yourself looking for a new vehicle It has benefits for both you as well as the environment

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about cars as well as car care at http://www.5starshine.com

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Three Ways to Extend the Life of Your Sports Car

Author : Gregg Hall

Sports cars are important and expensive investments and drivers often develop a deep appreciation for their car As such, they seek to maintain their cars well and prolong their useful life as long as possible

There are many things one can to do extend their sports car’s life Some involve great expense and technical expertise Others are as simple as placing a drop cloth or car cover over a garaged vehicle All activities of this sort, however, can be placed in one of three general categories These are the three ways by which one can extend the life of a sports car:

Exterior Maintenance

Of course, the guts and inner workings of any sports car are the driving force behind its performance Engines, suspensions and transmissions are have a far greater impact on sports car performance than does appearance Although aerodynamic sports cars may receive some performance boost from their design, exterior aspects are primarily aesthetic matter not directly tied to the quality of a drive

However, neglect of a sports car’s external shell can destroy the vehicle’s attraction and render it nearly as useless as a car with a blown motor Exterior rust and decay is more likely to destroy the visual impact of the car than to have a real impact on its drivability, but maintenance for the car’s body can keep the car fresh, pleasing and more fun to drive

Regular attention must be paid to the exterior This includes regular washings with appropriate detergents and careful application of was or other protectants Small scratches and or chips should be repaired immediately These seemingly insignificant blemishes provide an opportunity for oxidation and subsequent visible rust

The car should be protected from the elements when possible There is no reason to leave a sports car in the sun, unprotected The sun’s rays will fade paint and can cause rubber and plastic moldings to crack or wear unevenly One should also strive to store their sports car appropriately and to protect it from sun and inclement weather

Regular Maintenance

If a car has a significant mechanical problem it must, of course, be carefully and correctly rectified before the automobile is used Repairs are obvious and no sports car owner can look past them

Regular maintenance, however, is just as important to a sports car and is often overlooked Regular oil-changes, tune-ups, hose and belt replacement and other maintenance chores must be conducted in order to effectively protect the vehicle against excessive wear and tear One cannot stop time, but they can slow its impact through quality maintenance

Often, one may take the attitude of those who say “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it ” This seemingly common-sense approach however may keep sports car owners from thinking proactively about maintaining their car When you spot older model sports cars that still look great and run as beautifully as the day they rolled off the assembly line it is usually because they are owned by sports car buffs who take maintenance seriously

Appropriate Driving

Sports cars are strong machines, but are finely tuned instruments at the same time They respond to use in unique ways, yet can still be victimized by poor driving habits just like any other car

It is incumbent upon a sports car driver to be a good overall driver and not to force the automobile beyond its limitations or to use it incorrectly Many major automotive problems stem not from mechanical deficiencies, but instead from poor driving

One would not give a child a Stradivarius with which to take introductory fiddle classes Likewise, one should not embark on using a high-performance sports car until they are prepared to drive it optimally and with great skill

Sometimes the most basic themes hold the keys to success That is certainly the case with sports car preservation There are many details that need to be managed, but following the basic principles of conducting correct maintenance and driving appropriately will extend the life of your sports car more effectively than any single product or quick fix

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For the best car care products to care for your car go to http://www.carcarewizards.com

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How to Apply For Car Financing

Author : Mike Kay

If you want a new car but don t have the money to buy it, there are certain things that you can do to possibly take home that car and just pay for it on a monthly basis This is called car financing and you can virtually apply for one at any bank However, not all banks would approve your application There are things that they have to look into before they would decide in favor of financing your new car

In car financing, the bank would buy the car you like from the dealer The bank becomes the owner of the car until after you have completed paying for it This means that you just have to pay the bank together with the agreed interest to gain full possession of the car

Right now, there are many banks and financial institutions that are providing car financing to those who need it However, they need to prove their capability to pay first Banks get in trouble when people fail to pay the monthly payment settled upon Banks are losing money everyday if somebody defaults or worse, choose to just surrender the car they have bought and not to pay for it any longer

This is the reason why banks and financial institutions do an intensive credit check before they hand the car over to you You would be subject to a series of questions about your lifestyle, your income, and the stability of your job They want good buyers and responsible payers They are staying clear of people who can t answer to their current financial obligations

In the U S , such background checks are easily performed Each person with a Social Security Number has a credit history That credit history would show everything about that person, his previous employees, his annual income, the current debts he has, and everything else that are relevant to his personal finances The credit history would also show any bankruptcy cases filed by the person

To get approved for financing for a car, your credit history has to impeccable and your credit score should be high Those will give the edge, if ever you intend to ask a bank to finance you a car Today, credit checks can be conducted in a matter of a few hours As such, you will know the status of your car loan the next day

With the easy accessibility of credit history, banks can easily approve car financing application or deny it altogether It is but your responsibility to keep your financial status on the good side There are many credit repair companies that can help you improve your credit score They can help some, especially if you re in a dire need of a loan approval

But other than going to them for help, planning would do you good If you want to get a new car in the next six months, you have to be very conscious of what you buy and what you pay for As much as possible, don t use your credit car within that period because that would affect your credit score and eventually your rate of approval for a new car Your credit standing determines your capability to pay Do your best to look good in front of your creditors

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