Archive for December, 2009
12 Months Average For Regular Unleaded And Combine Trips
There are some things you don’t give importance but are very vital in maintaining your car and getting the best of it with minimal cost. Try these given tips and save more on your fuel money. They can be really useful next time you travel.
Using only the car does not pay all the time. There are other ways to save the fuel consumption on your car. You can try them next time you commute for your work or office. Saving extras can help you spend them in other things in life.Keep track of the cost of regular unleaded fuel for your records.
Try to combine as many purposes into one trip as you can for the following reasons
You’ll save time and money by combining the number of errands and stops that you make in one trip. When you make several smaller trips especially in cold weather you will use up to twice as much fuel than if you were taking a multipurpose trip. Cold starts for your car use up more gas and are harder on vehicle maintenance than driving for a longer period of time keeping the engine of your car warm. Planning your trip makes your driving more efficient and you spend less time driving aimlessly from location to location.There are ways that you can get to work that will help you save on gas consumption for your car. When driving to work avoid the peak times for rush hours. This way you’ll use up less fuel and you’ll spend less of you precious time sitting around in heavy traffic. Try telecommuting from work if you’re in a position to do so. If you are the owner of more than one vehicle you should try to drive the car that has the best gas mileage more often than the one with higher gas mileage. Save the vehicle with the lower gas mileage for those trips when you don’t want your new vehicle damaged or don’t want to put the miles on the odometer. Find out about ridesharing programs and carpools that are available in your local area. By commuting to work with others you’ll be cutting your monthly fuel costs by as much as half. You’ll also be saving on the wear and tear of your car. Many large cities have what is known as the HOV lane high occupancy vehicle to encourage drivers to commute to work. Use the public transit service if it’s convenient for you and available where you live. You may be able to drive your vehicle to the bus depot and commute from there. Even though you’re still driving your car part way to work you’ll still notice a substantial savings when it comes to the cost of your commute to and from work.
You will definitely save on gas if you leave your car at home. Try walking to close destinations or take your bike. Today’s society seems to think that we need to drive everywhere that go. If more people walked rode their bikes or took public transit there would be less pollution. As well you personally will notice a difference in the amount of money that you spend each month on your gas costs.
The ways to save money on your fuel of your car is to know and practice what you know about the maintenance of your car. The faster you try practicing the more you are going to save. Starts from now you never know how much you can save from today.
The less you use your car the less you are going to spend on the gas purchase. The more wisely you use the other commuting means the more you are going to save on the maintenance and the gas expenditure of your car. Think again what to drive and how to go to work.
Avoid fast getaways at the stoplight And Avoid an idling vehicle
Sometimes when we are in a hurry we push on the accelerator very fast to move ahead of others. Met with accidents and pushing the other vehicles these are some of the things that happen when running fast from the stoplight. Cold winters could play very crucial role on how you maintain your car and cut the cists of your gas. Keeping the car idle for sometime before driving could costs you more on the fuel consumption.
Your car is for you to travel and not for storing thing that you sometimes might not be aware of. Drive you car as light as possible. This can do a lot of goods to your car.
Accelerate slowly when the light turns green. The faster that you accelerate the more gas that you are going to consume.
Make sure you start at the stoplight slow and steady so that you conserve as much fuel as possible while you are going from a stopped position into a driving mode.
It may be tempting for younger people to accelerate and race away from the stoplight. Don’t fall into this trap and you can save up to 20 percent in fuel costs just by being a safe driver.
Try to avoid letting your car idle even on those cold mornings when you try to heat up the car before driving to work. Studies show that there is no need to let your car idle for more than 30 seconds even in cold weather and that idling will reduce your fuel consumption.
New cars are specifically designed for you to be able to start and drive away immediately without any idle time. Make sure that you get up early enough to scrape the snow and ice off your car in the winter months. There is no need to start your car while you are cleaning off your windows. Finish cleaning off your windows and then start your car when you are ready to leave.
If you are not specifically hauling around some heavy material make sure that you remove it from your car. This means not using your car as a storage box for unwanted items that you don’t know where to put. The more weight that you carry in your car other than passengers the more fuel that you are going to consume as you drive. Studies show that it’s more fuel efficient to turn off your car than it is to let it idle for much longer than about 45 seconds.
If you are in a long line up at the ferry waiting for someone outside the store or waiting for an accident up ahead to clear you can turn off your car engine and save yourself some money and fuel.
Plan your trips so that you can avoid those long idle moments that will waste your gas and add dollars onto the price of a gallon. It only takes a second to start your car again if you have turned it off while waiting in a traffic jam that doesn’t seem to be moving.
When you first get into your hot vehicle try to drive with the windows open to let out the hot air and let in a fresh breeze.
If this fails to lower the temperature in your car you can put on the air conditioning. The air conditioner will work more efficiently and faster if you open up the windows first.
If you need to use the air conditioning in your car you should keep in mind that your fuel economy will be reduced by 10 to 20 percent.
One of the ways to use your air conditioner is to use it for minimal amounts of times. Keep the windows closed when you are using the air conditioning.
Once the car has reached a cooler temperature you can turn off the air conditioning but it is important to note that you should still keep the windows closed since opening them will only allow in the hot air once again.
So better be safe than sorry and drive slow and steadily when starting from stoplight. This can save you both unnecessary accidents and 20 percentage or more on your fuel costs. Drive safely and reach your destiny safely.
So next time you clean your car in the winter and start the engine before driving make sure you follow this small instruction to avoid any kind of problems that could arise.
Traveling on your car should be smooth and light. So check out whether you have nay unnecessary heavy things inside your car other than the passengers to avoid high fuel consumptions and even an engine break down.
Another way of saving your fuel and money on your car is to avoid the traffic snarls and always turn off your car when it is not moving or stuck in some roadblocks.
About the writer: This article is written by Anna josephs writer of the website Automobile Dealer . This article is published only for the educational and information purpose.
Economical New Cars That Achieve Over Fifty Miles Per Gallon In The UK
Using the words of Bob Dylan Times they are a changing and this is certainly true when we look at the habits of the new car buyer. Successive governments have failed to curb our excessive fuel demands indeed for many years cars just seemed to get bigger and bigger with fuel consumption figures dropping sometimes barely hitting double figures. Then came the troubles in the oil producing regions of the world swiftly followed by the credit crunch and all of a sudden attitudes have changed. Market forces have influenced the new car buyer and as a result the car manufacturers have moved swiftly to fill the chasm that is opening in the marketplace the need for comfortable but fuel efficient new cars. Listed below are ten economical new cars not in any particular order or indeed not even market leaders what they do have in common though is their ability to travel over fifty miles per gallon on the combined cycle. They may not be the answer to all our problems buy they are certainly a step in the right direction.
MINI Cooper 1.6 D
The 1.6 diesel MINI Cooper has had the EfficientDynamics treatment by BMW low rolling resistance tyres electric power steering an intelligent alternator control / brake energy regeneration system an automatic stopstart function and a high precision Direct Injection system are amongst the advances that have been applied to the new diesel Cooper and as a result it achieves a staggering 72.4 miles per gallon on the combined cycle.
Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion
Powered by a 1.4 litre three cylinder diesel engine that is fitted with a with a variablegeometry turbocharger that gives maximum assistance at low speeds the Polo Bluemotion is one of the leaders in its class. Volkswagen have used a few tricks to get the Polo Bluemotion to perform as frugally as it does the obligatory lowrollingresistance tyres lightweight alloy wheels and improved aerodynamics all contribute to the Bluemotion achieving 74.3 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. Exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter give the Polo another advantage over most cars in the UK market Co2 emissions of only 99g/km resulting in zero road tax. Low cost motoring at its best.
Audi A3 1.9 TDIe
Audi may not be the first manufacturer that comes to mind when it comes to economical cars but this just goes to show how serious manufacturers are now taking the situation we find ourselves in. The A3 1.9 TDIe is powered by a reworked diesel unit and this combined with aerodynamic tweaks lowresistance tyres and a recommended gear display mean the Audi will travel 62.8 miles for every gallon on the combined cycle. So if you youre looking for a car with green credentials but dont want to compromise on quality the A3 1.9 TDIe may tick all the boxes you require.
Citroen C1 1.0i Vibe 3 door
The Citroen C1 could just as easily be substituted with the Peugeot 107 or the Toyota Aygo as they all share the same platforms and the same engines that said the C1 was chosen for one thing and one thing alone price. Designed in collaboration between the three manufacturers all are extremely capable city cars with low road fund bandings and good mpg figures slight cosmetic differences are really the only things that set the models apart that and the fact that Citroen run slightly better offers making them the lowest priced model. Powered by a one litre petrol engine the C1 will return 61.8 miles per gallon on the combined cycle and has Co2 emissions of 108 g/km.
New BMW 1 Series 118d EfficientDynamics
Voted World green car of the year in 2008 by 47 journalists from 24 different countries the BMW 118d EfficientDynamics makes use of energy capture systems brake energy regeneration auto stopstart optimum gearshift change indicators electric power steering and lightweight body panels to achieve a quite remarkable 62.8 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. With BMW expecting sales of 700000 cars a year in Europe that have EfficientDynamics incorporated the fuel savings are estimated to be in the region of 33 million gallons quite a substantial saving by anyones book
Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
When it comes to economical new cars the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic has to be up there with the best of them. Powered by a specially tuned 1.6 litre diesel engine the Fiesta ECOnetic is the most economical Ford and possibly the most economical car around at the moment. Longer gear ratios a gear change indicator aerodynamic wheel trims low rolling resistance tyres lowered suspension and the fact that it weighs about 40 kgs less than the outgoing Fiesta mean that the ECOnetic will let you drive 76.3 miles on the combined cycle for every gallon of diesel you put in. Ford may be struggling in the US but with figures like these the Fiesta ECOnetic it sure to prove a big hit in Europe.
Volkswagen Touran 1.9 TDI DPF BlueMotion S 105 5dr
Unfortunately not everybody can utilise a small city car or hatchback after all some people do have families and this obviously restricts their choice when it comes to buying a new car. For those in that position Volkswagen has come to the rescue in the form of the Touran Bluemotion. The Extremely popular MPV sports a new front grille and air intake optimised aerodynamics lower suspension and higher gearing along with low rolling resistance tyres combined these improvements mean that the Touran Bluemotion will return 52.3 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. Proving you dont necessarily have to downsize to do your little bit.
New Toyota Prius 1.5 VVTi
When launched the Toyota Prius was seen by many as just a gimmick as a result both Lexus and its parent company Toyota have stolen a bit of a march over their competitors. Exemption from the London congestion charge has certainly helped to raise the profile of the Prius and as a result it has become a common sight on the roads throughout the UK. Powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine and a high output electric motor the Prius switches between the two the electric motor takes charge at low speeds up to 28 mph with the petrol engine taking the strain at higher speeds. The result a combined cycle of 65.7 miles per gallon making the Toyota Prius an ideal car not only for the city but also for those who choose to commute.
Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI PD 80 GreenLine
Another offering from the Volkswagen stable to take a trip down to the wind tunnel is the Skoda Fabia Greenline it may not quite match up to the Polo Bluemotion or the Seat Ibiza Ecomotive it is however quite a bit more frugal than the rest of the Fabia range. Achieving 68.9 miles per gallon on the combined cycle the Greenline should theoretically drive 689 miles on a full tank put into perspective thats seventy miles more than a standard Fabia 1.4 TDI. The Greenline may cost a little more than its siblings but with petrol and diesel prices as they are it wont take very long before youve recouped the cash.
New Mazda 2 1.3 TS
Generally as we get older we add weight something that also seems to happen to cars. Redesigns and facelifts always seem to add a few pounds here and there and as a result larger more powerful engines are required just to achieve the same performance. Not so with the new Mazda 2. When Mazda launched the new 2 model it weighed in an incredible 100 kgs lighter than the model it replaced. Its safer five stars from EuroNCAP for adult occupants has more equipment as standard yet still manages 52.3 miles per gallon on the combined cycle quite an achievement really.
About the writer: If you are in the market for a new car make sure you look at economical cars that get more than fifty miles per gallon and green cars.
Harley Builds 3-wheel Motorcycles – Harley Magazine Review Of The 2009 Tri-glide
The rumor mill never seems to slow down when it comes to HarleyDavidson and its future bikes. I guess that kind of passion and curiosity is what drives the MoCo. The rumor of a factory HarleyDavidson trike making a comeback after more than three decades is true. The new Tri Glide Ultra Classic will be available at your local Harley dealer in limited numbers as a 2009 model.
Lets start with what the machine is and isnt. It is a genuine HarleyDavidson covered by a full factory 2 year warrantee. It is manufactured by Harley in association with Lehman Trikes of South Dakota. It lists for 29999 in the US and is available in the 48 contiguous US states and Canada. It is well engineered looks good and is a blast to ride. It isnt a warmed over Lehman trike. I dont know why this project was internally nicknamed Boomer but it was and now you know.
Whats involved in riding a trike verses a bike? Well lets just say that they are exactly the same only different. Quite different. Same throttle clutch shifter and brakes. But the handling is more like a car because trikes dont lean they steer around turns. So get used to pulling on one side of the handlebars and pushing on the other through the turns. And thanks to all the extra weight out back youll have to slip the clutch a bit more and give it a bit more throttle coming off a stop than with a bike. Plus you can keep your feet on the floorboards all the time even at a full stop. And always remember that your machine is a lot wider than a bike even a bagger when going through narrow spaces. And just because you missed the pothole in the road with your front tire doesnt mean youll miss it with your rear ones. And. . . well you get the idea. Trikes and bikes are simply different.
Out on the road the Tri Glide is impressive. I have ridden several old and new trikes over the years and feel this is the best of the breed. Superior handling a healthy power train and top notch fit and finish and this was on a preproduction model! The low and high speed handling is more neutral than I expect from a trike. I suspect the purposebuild frame and specific fork geometry and rear suspension has a lot to do with that. Once you get used to slipping the clutch slightly from a dead stop and push/pull steering on the handlebars riding the Tri Glide is a blast. I predict these machines will sell out quickly with a waiting line once word is out on how much fun they are. Anyone who has ridden a twowheel motorcycle will quickly take to the Tri Glide and will be confidently cruising the highways and slicing through zig zag turns on back roads in no time.
In our discussions with Harleys marketing and engineering staff we heard how the main goal for the Tri Glide was to extend riding access which we took to mean extending the riding season trikes handle better in snow ice and rain than bikes do as well as making people more comfortable riding a stable threewheeler than a less stable twowheeler. The Harley staffers told us their target customers tend to be more experienced riders. One of the senior people confided in us A lot of people who try a Tri Glide for the first time are pleased and surprised with the ride. After we put some miles on one we have to agree
Unlike any other current model HarleyDavidson that I am aware of the host portion of the new Tri Glides are built on a new assembly line in the York factory. It is then shipped to the Lehman factory in South Dakota to be finished. From there the complete machines are shipped to Milwaukee where they are forwarded on to the dealer network. When we asked about the relationship between Lehman Trikes and HarleyDavidson we were told that Lehman is actively involved in the process but the Harley Tri Glides are quite different than Lehmans own Ultrabased trikes. While the Lehman version uses a modified stock Harley FL frame and onepiece rear body section the Tri Glides use unique purposebuilt frames and separate rear body sections and fenders. Harley assured us the current association with Lehman is not based on a buyout or a joint venture. Harley views Lehman as a supplier.
OK so what else is unique or unusual about the Tri Glide? We have already touched on the specifictothismodel frame with increased fork angle and less trail for better steering effort. It has an electronic hand control to activate the optional electric reverse motor. The front forks are longer than those on the twowheel Ultras and have an external steering stabilizer for a more consistent ride.
The front wheel is a 16 inch hoop the rears are 15 inchers. The wheels and brake rotors all match. Machines with this much weight need good brakes and the front dual Brembos are up to the task. The 103 cubic inch engine mated with a heavy duty policestyle clutch offers sufficient power to get down the road quite smartly. The Tri Glide has a unique transmission case and rear mounts are also different from the stock Harley Ultra twowheel version. There is a standard oil cooler to help keep engine temperatures down and the new for 2009 mufflers compliment the modified header pipes.
The Tour Pak is rated for up to 30 pounds of cargo and the trunk featuring hidden hinges and a lockable latch can handle an additional 50 pounds in 4.3 cubic feet. We like the rear fenders are separate from the trunk and attached to it. Typically the trunk and rear fenders on most trikes are built as one unit making repairs or replacement quite expensive.
Apparently Harley management had been considering the possibility of adding a trike to the lineup for some time but there were many issues to deal with. These included safety concerns marketing options and manufacturing challenges. When we asked about the stability of a Tri Glide in various real world riding conditions one of the Harley engineers responded by saying they designed it with several goals in mind. We wanted it to slip he said before it would tip.
2 critical measures the trike had to pass were the lane change maneuver at highway speeds and the steady state turn in tight circles at increasing speeds. The trike accomplished both with room to spare. Harley management okd the project when they realized the Ultrabased Tri Glide can go faster and corner harder than a stock Harley Ultra motorcycle so we felt a comfort zone there.
All the 2009 Tri Glides will be based on Ultra Classics. But Harley isnt saying whether this might change in the future to expand across other models using VRods Dynas or Sportsters as the base. However given the fact that Harley considers the Tri Glide a new separate model platform Id bet there are more variations in the works. Personally Id like to see a watercooled VRod powered trike.
Harley is planning on building only 2500 Tri Glides for 2009 in three color options Vivid Black Dark Blue Pearl or Red Hot Sunglo and plans are for them to be available in Harley dealerships in August 2008. MSRP is 29999 which is significantly less than a similar Lehman Harley Ultra and the Tri Glide comes with a 2year factory warrantee. Want one? Better get your name and deposit to your dealer ASAP. They are going to go fast.
Interested in learning more about Harley motorcycles from Sportsters to Softails and touring FL motorcycles? Check out motorcycle bulletin board and Harley forumwww.aimag.comrun by American Iron Magazine where this article was first published.
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