The author had an opportunity to ask from the people who make a business survey the in Italy and found that the market of gas for vehicles was a quite interesting because many people do not know that in some countries, the engines of the cars they drive in everyday life have been modified in order to be able to burn other kinds of gas that cost more lower than diesel or benzene.

Italy is a country that uses gas as their fuel, which are Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The number from LPG Euro cars users association and the number from the manufacturer that produces modification kits for cars for other kinds of fuel indicated that there are 1.3-1.4 million cars that use LPG (or GPL in Italian), while 0.3-0.4 million cars use CGN (or Metano in Italian). Italy is a country that uses these two kinds of fuel the most in Europe, as well as the production of modification kits for cars.

On April 28th, 2006, the price of LPG in Italy was Euro 0.63/liter (USD 0.75), while Benzene was Euro 1.50/liter (USD 1.76), which was 2.35 times difference. It is the normal system that the price of LPG is lower than 2.3-2.5 times of Benzene’s, while CNG’s is around Euro 0.50/Kilogram (USD 0.60). This means that CNG’s price depends on weight, not on volume.

Although LPG’s and CNG’s prices are much lower than diesel and benzene, the growth rate of them in Europe is slightly slow and starts to reach their peak point. We can see from many countries in Europe such as England, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and France, or some countries in Asia such as Japan and South Korea, small-sized cars with low-rate fuel burning engines are more likely to be the majority rather than large-sized cars with high-rate fuel burning engines. Modification of cars for CNG or LPG is more suitable for large-sized cars rather than small ones because it needs some space in the cars to install it, and the installation fees and price for the equipment are high around Euro 1500.00 so that the break-event point will be around 2-3 years or more.

The general property of gas is no color and smell, but what we can smell from it is from the chemical mixed in so that we could notice the gas leak. Gas for cars is the fully burning fuel, and this helps reduce the green house effect which causes the global warming. However, there is also a disadvantage from it. It is a fuel that can harm engines in the long-term because it is gas itself. There is no lubricity property, and it also creates high temperature in burning process.

Even though the gas for cars has nothing to do with our everyday lives, in many countries, it is widely used because of the different price of fuel in each country. If the price is too high, the alternative choice is always considered in users’ calculation, especially with the public cars which run for very long distance each day. The cheaper one means the cheaper cost. Therefore, gas for cars would be a topic that must be talked about whenever the price of gas so high that many people cannot afford to use.

In a world where people rely heavily on diesel-powered engines to perform many functions for both agriculture and other known industries, it no longer comes as a surprise if there is a limited supply of derivatives of diesel fuels with traces of petroleum.

Besides the (over)exhaustion of reserves of petroleum fuels, improbability in petroleum sources and supply because of certain economic and political reasons inspired many to look for alternative resources for petroleum-based fuel sources like diesel.

You’ve heard of vegetable oil, animal fat, and recycled cooking oil being used as fuel nowadays. These are what you call Biodiesel.

>From the word itself, biodiesel is an alternative to diesel fuel made from renewable or organic sources such as the ones already mentioned above. Biodiesel is produced by means of a reaction between an animal fat or vegetable oil and ethanol or methanol with a certain catalyst. Biodiesel appears as and used as either in its pure form or can be mixed with diesel to be utilized by diesel engines - a petroleum-based biodiesel. Both have yields of glycerin and biodiesel, which are chemically known as asters of methanol and ethanol.

The following presents the major advantages of using biodiesel:

1. It is non-hazardous and biodegradable. 2. It can readily be used in modern types of diesel engines. 3. It is a much more efficient as compared to fuel cells. 4. Thus, it can eliminate the huge allocation of reconstructing major fuel distribution factories and companies.

On the note of producing biodiesel extracts on a macro scale basis, two steps are usually considered:

1. Growing of alternative feed stocks.

Oilseed crops (and animal lipids) are well known sources of biodiesel because of their oil content.

Interestingly, recent programs have been funded to research on the feasibility of using algal species as feedstocks for biodiesel extracts. In fact, there are noted species of algae from which you can extract larger amounts of oil. The same species also grow at very fast rates so production would definitely be efficient. Moreover, most of these species use less water for cultivation, unlike oilseed crops.

Another advantage of using algae as a source of biodiesel is that the species also grow best in salty water, so farms could be built near the ocean without desalinating seawater.

With recent development regarding algae research, that concern is completely obliterated since it was noted that algae could survive in either a hot desert or within areas near waste streams.

Processing the feedstock into biodiesel. This step would be best accomplished by present oil refineries around the world, which are being converted to biodiesel refineries and by new companies building state-of-the-art plants.

Environmentally speaking, the use of biodiesel is basically not alarming. However, further researches regarding on biodiesel producing alternatives should be ventured upon to facilitate a more feasible large-scale biodiesel production.

A tachometer is a measuring device with the purpose of measuring the speed of a circular plate or disk, or sometimes of a shaft. The word comes from the Greek words meaning speed (tachos) and measure (metron).

A tachometer is typically used in measurement of engine speed in an automotive engine, but was originally used to describe centrifugal force. The German engineer Dietrich Uhlhorn is believed to be the inventor of the tachometer. His interest was in measuring the speed of machines. The use of the tachometer in measuring the speed of locomotives has been common since about 1940, and it is also used in measurements of light rail axle speeds.

The early tachometers were entirely mechanical, but it is interesting to note that the modern day version relies entirely on electronic measurements to register as part of a computerized system. Find more info at http://www.tachometerworld.info

For instance, the tachometer, although described in revolutions per minute (RPM’s) is actually derived in older vehicles from impulses recorded from the low tension side of the ignition coil. Engines which have no ignition system, such as diesel engines, measure the alternator output voltage. In neither case is the engine actually “revolving”, although the pistons perform a somewhat circular dance, when in operation.

Originally, tachometers were used to register and display the range where the engine could be safely operated. To “red line” an engine meant to run the engine at a dangerously high speed. The theory was that over racing the engine would lead to excessive wear and damage to the equipment. Even knowing the possibility of engine damage was never enough to prevent the sound of “revving up” the engine as an invitation to drag race, or perhaps just to let others know that your engine was “hot”

In modern engines, a rev limiter prevents damage due to engine speed over safe levels.

DIESELS are still gaining popularity in Europe, thanks to low gas mileage and good performance. The latest diesel cars can take on gasoline engined cars and come out on top!

All turbocharged diesels generate much more torque than gasoline engines, so you get better mid-range acceleration. In other words, from, say, 40-80 mph, a good diesel will see off a good gasoline engine car of the same apparent performance.

Jaguar has introduced a special version of a V-6 2.7 liter diesel that has been developed in Europe jointly by Ford and Peugeot. This is the most advanced diesel around at present, with the brand-new piezo-electric injector operation, the latest common rail injection system and twin turbochargers.

PIEZO-ELECTRIC INJECTORS

What are piezo-electric injectors? Cunning little ceramic devices, and when an electric current is applied they produce a pressure, and so can be used to force fuel into the cylinders. The thing is that they can be operated four times faster than other electro-mechanical injectors so the injector can be opened and closed incredibly quickly. Also, the amount of movement is very small, and you get less noise that you get from mechanical injectors.

Like I said, very cunning, and they all go with high pressure injection to give high power, low noise, emissions and gas mileage. It’s developments like these that mean we’ll have some diesels in Fast-Autos soon - but not a lot!

As a result, the fuel is injected at horrendously high pressures with incredible accuracy. The result? Masses of power, and almost no smoke, the weakness of old-fashioned oil burners, like the dreadful engines GM introduced about 20 years ago.

This new Jaguar S-Type diesel, develops 206 bhp so it lives up to the Jaguar tradition of high performance. Maximum torque is 320 lb ft (430 Nm) which is more than the 4.2 liter gasoline engine can manage without a turbocharger. Although performance is not sensational, it is definitely not what you’d expect from a diesel.

The Jag diesel will push the S-Type automatic up to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, and top speed is 140 mph. You’ll get the idea that Jag regards this as a sporty engine from the fact that it has a six-speed manual or automatic box - both are supplied by ZF. Of course, the most powerful S-Type is the S-Type R.

BMW HAS AN EVEN MORE POWERFUL DIESEL

BMW is also ready with a very powerful 3.0 liter diesel engine which turns out 272 bhp, which would be considered very nice thank you from most makers of 3.0 liter gasoline engines - Ford’s top version of its nice 3.0 liter V-6 develops 225 bhp. BMW uses twin-stage turbocharging to get this much power. In this system, one small turbocharger provides power at low speeds, and a bigger turbo is matched to high speed requirement. It is switched in when the speed and load increase sufficiently, and so can generate as much power as a gasoline engine of the same size.

If that is not enough power consider the latest news. Audi is racing diesel-powered cars at the Le Mans 24-hour race! These V-12 engines develop more than 600 bhp, and will challenge the best gasoline engined sports-racing cars.

If you know about engines then you’re probably familiar with the name Kohler, a manufacturer of some of the world’s best engines ever invented.

The Kohler Company got its start in the 1920s when it created the Kohler Automatic Power Light 1500-watt Model “A” generator…whew, what a mouthful! The name doesn’t quite make it clear what the invention was, but if you haven’t already guessed it, it was an engine. This engine was designed to be put to use in rural areas and was powered by a four-cylinder water-cooled engine and could be hooked up to a 120v DC current, a great asset to farmers who lived away from the hustle and bustle of the booming cities.

While this first engine was a mild success, it wasn’t until 1939 when Kohler really began to thrive by developing liquid-cooled diesel engines. These engines ranged from single cylinder to four-cylinder, and from 5hp to 20hp. Kohler products were a big part of the war effort against Germany and Japan, which led to huge profits from government contracts.

By 1948, Kohler was beginning to manufacture “stand alone” engines for industrial applications in their first ever engine factory. Three years later Kohler had manufactured the K90 cast iron single cylinder air-cooled engine. By the end of the 1950s Kohler had an entire line of engines, as well as interchangeable parts. There have been no limits for this company ever in its 80 year history.

The list of the engineering accomplishments of this company are many and could be turned into a novel, but suffice it to say that to this day Kohler is still engineering what they believe to be the strongest and most dependable engines in the business, and they also have many satisfied customers who will provide evidence of this fact. And as if this wasn’t enough, Kohler also backs its engines with a full lifetime warranty and full after sale service, a practice they have used since their inception into the engineering world.

Kohler still manufacturers a wide variety of engine sizes for all type of uses today. You can find their products in lawn mowers and at construction sites powering generators and other equipment. The horsepower of their engines has not changed much in the company’s history, ranging from 4hp to 30hp today. The engines also come in either air or liquid cooled designs and can meet the application needs of all customers.

Kohler is a company that forms lifelong bonds with its customers, and periodically updates its customers on what’s new in the engineering world and what new products Kohler has come out with. Kohler understands that many people put their confidence and trust into their products, which in turn drives them to strive for excellence.

With gas prices on the rise and no relief in site, many people are starting to consider the advantage of owning a hybrid vehicle. But what exactly is a hybrid and how can it benefit you? First you should know that hybrids are actually much more common that you might think. For example, many commuter trains and city buses are electric-diesel hybrids. Many types of industrial heavy vehicles are also hybrids such as mining trucks and even submarines.

So the definition then of a hybrid is any vehicle that runs on not just one, but a combination of two power sources. So why should you buy one? Let’s consider the advantages.

Hybrid cars are energy efficient. They are affordable and they are a workable way to deal with our energy situation and are therefore worth supporting. They have small efficient gas engines that work in combination with an electric motor. The two work together, the electric motor recharges while the car is in motion. Efficiency is then maintained by aerodynamic styling, lightweight material, and intermittent engine shut off.

Intermittent engine shut off comes into play when the car is stopped for short periods such as a stop light. The engine then shuts off and kicks back on when the gas pedal is depressed.

Lightweight building materials are used to make the hybrid more energy efficient and emphasis is placed on aerodynamic styling to reduce wind drag. Hybrid cars use low rolling resistance tires which are unique in that they are narrower and stiffer and have a lot less drag which adds to the energy efficiency.

Hybrids are also better for our environment. They emit 97% less emissions than regular cars and have roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide. They get far greater gas mileage and are equally as safe to drive as non hybrid cars.

Hybrids also drive the same as regular cars so it is treated in the same manner; nothing new to learn specific to the handling of a hybrid. Owners of hybrids may also be entitled to incentives. These vary from state to state so check in your area to find out what is available. One blanket incentive is a reduction in federal taxes for hybrid owners.

In today’s society, Researchers in the United States and around the world are searching for ways to develop alternate forms of fuel. With the ever-rising fuel costs, developing alternate energy is a priority.

Bio diesel was developed to combat the high gas and oil prices. It is especially made for use in bio diesel cars and trucks.

Bio-diesel is made from all natural foods that produce oil. Oils such as vegetable, canola, peanut, rapeseed, palm and olive oil can be used as bio diesel fuel.

Virtually all oils that you use in your kitchen everyday can fuel one of these cars. It does not matter if the oil has been used, it can be strained and filtered and then used in the fuel tank.

Biodiesel fuel is a better for the environment because it burns cleaner and does not pollute the atmosphere. It is non-toxic and biodegradable, making it the perfect fuel.

Biodiesel fuel has been road tested and will get up to twenty-five miles to the gallon. That is better than some conventional mileage ratings.

Many car manufacturers are realizing that the bio diesel automobile is becoming more popular, and are jumping on the bandwagon and developing their own version of a biodiesel vehicle. They realize that the need for these vehicles will increase, and predict that they will be ready for the onslaught.

If you are interested in purchasing a bio diesel and do not know where to start looking, call local dealerships and ask if they offer this type of vehicle. Chances are that they either have bio diesel cars or can place a special order for you. You can also do a Google search to find a dealer that is close by.

The least expensive biodiesel car’s price starts at approximately $20,000 dollars. Depending on the style of car, it can range up to $60,000 dollars. The only reported differences in driving a biodiesel car is that in some cases, the mileage per gallon is greater than a conventional car.

If you want the convenience of a bio diesel car, and do not have the funds to buy one, there is always the option to buy a conversion kit. These kits allow you to convert your current vehicle into a bio diesel vehicle.

The kits are relatively inexpensive compared to a new bio diesel car. They start at $600.00. Although it is recommended that you have a professional mechanic do all the necessary work, full instructions and a help line are included for the do-it-yourselfer.

A car with a diesel engine does not need to be converted into bio-diesel. However it is recommended that the hoses be replaces on any diesel car that was made before 1990. When the diesel engine was created in 1892, it was designed to run on peanut oil before diesel fuel, making it the changes unnecessary.

It is however recommended that the engines of vehicles to be converted do not have rubber seals in them, as over time the oil will deteriorate the seals.

A biodiesel car is very easy to maintain. The only major problem that has been reported is that when the weather turns cold, the oil turns cloudy and in temperatures below 35 degrees, the oil can crystallize. The potential problem with this is that the crystals can plug the engine and not allow the fuel to flow properly.

Special heating units are sold to keep the oil at a constant temperature.

The general public is being encouraged to purchase bio diesel vehicles. As an incentive, the government is offering special tax write offs for those who purchase bio diesel automobiles.

In Hollywood, celebrities and activists who are earth conscience have made the commitment to drive biodiesel vehicles. At the moment, California has more biodiesel cars on the road than all other states combined.

Daimler Chrysler will introduce its version of the biodiesel vehicle in the 2007. The Jeep Grand Cherokee CDR will be the first biodiesel SUV to hit the market.

It will run on soybean and vegetable oil, as well as grease from fast food restaurants. It is a little humorous to think that you will be able to order dinner and fill your fuel tank in the same place, but that may possible in the not too distant future.

With the growth of the biodiesel automobile, biodiesel fuel manufacturers are needed. Currently in the United States, there are sixty-five biodiesel producing plants and about eight hundred and fifty biodiesel service stations. Experts predict that a lot more will be opening over the next few years.

With gas prices increasing and growing environmental awareness, the need to consider alternate energy and fuel sources are becoming a necessity. One alternative is the use of Biodiesel fuel, which is becoming more and more popular today.

Because Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel, made from 100% natural, 100% renewable vegetable sources, its uses in today’s society may surprise you. Below are nine ways Biodiesel is being used. Some of which you may never have realized.

1) Biodiesel Car Rental - Yes that’s right. A Maui and Los Angeles car rental rents cars that run on Biodiesel. These cars get between 400 and 800 miles per tank! Not bad when consider the price of gas these days.

2) Home heating fuel - More people are taking a look at Biodiesel as an alternative for heating their home. Most oil-fired or boiler furnaces can use Biodiesel (B20), which is a fuel made of 80 percent traditional heating oil and 20 percent Biodiesel. Some people are getting their furnaces adapted to be able to burn B100, a fuel made entirely of vegetable oils, which burns much cleaner than traditional heating oil.

3) Electricity Generation - Diesel generators that produce electricity are now running on Biodiesel fuel. A superior alternative to the typical coal burning electricity generating plants currently being used in the United States. Running on Biodiesel is an inexpensive, clean and renewable way of creating electricity.

4) Trucking Industry - More and more truckers are switching from diesel fuel to Biodiesel fuel. The benefits are numerous not to mention the advantage of helping the environment and reducing our dependency on foreign oil, while saving money.

5) Agriculture - Not only a producer of Biodiesel, but also a consumer. Tractors, reapers, tillers, pickers, conveyors, generators, pumps, and irrigation systems which normally uses diesel fuel, now use Biodiesel to fuel their work, bringing agriculture full circle from producer to consumer.

6) Marine Vehicles - Commercial fleets such as ferries, recreational yachts, sailboats, and motor boats are all candidates for Biodiesel. For example Pacific Whale Foundation, located in Hawaii, use Biodiesel in their boats.

7) Tax Incentive - The IRS is offering tax incentives to anyone that produce and use Biodiesel fuel. The US Government is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by giving producers of Biodiesel fuel government funds. The tax incentive works to help tax paying customers by lowering the cost of the fuel bill.

Lubrication Additive - Because Biodiesel is a better lubricant than current low-sulfur petroleum, fuel injectors and other types of fuel pumps can rely on Biodiesel fuel for lubrication. With the right additives, engine performance can also be enhanced, making engines last longer. Other numerous applications can also make use of it’s lubricate properties, such as concrete forms and asphalt trucks. Its solvent properties also make it a safe parts cleaner, reducing skin and eye irritation associated with other cleaners.

9) Cleaner Environment - Biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide exhaust emissions by up to 80%. Because of this, Biodiesel has the potential to reduce air toxics and cancer causing compounds. Something we all can live with! If spilled, it will quickly degrade into natural organic residues, without polluting the environment.

FEV Engine Technology is developing a number of fuel-saving technologies that balance fuel economy improvement, increase performance and drivability, and produce excellent noise, vibration and harshness characteristics.

Emerging concepts that lead to improved fuel economy include gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engines, advanced valve deactivation and variable-valve timing, says Gary Rogers, president and chief executive officer of FEV.

Rogers commented on FEV’s opportunities at the 11th annual Ward’s 10 Best Engines awards luncheon, where the winning technologies were introduced. FEV is a gold sponsor of the event.

Variable-valve lift systems, camless electro-mechanical valve trains, and various hybrid configurations also offer options for automakers, he notes.

Other FEV initiatives include reducing friction and lubrication power losses in engines; optimizing cooling system controls; developing new vehicle-calibration equipment, and creating new transmissions.

“Although this award is called ‘Ward’s Top 10 Engines,’ it really reflects something quite different and perhaps, more important,” Rogers says. “While all of the engines receiving awards this year are technically superior engines, the evaluation process is one that is heavily weighted toward judging the quality of the powertrain integration and calibration.

“Market-specific attributes such as drivability, vehicle acceleration, passing power, the ‘corporate sound’ and the perceived enjoyment of the driving experience, tend to be unique to the local market in which the vehicle is sold, as opposed to pure performance attributes such as power or torque.

“This year’s award winners are the manufacturers that ‘hit a home run’ with vehicle homologations that are targeted for the North American market – and that’s much more challenging than simply hitting power and torque targets,” according to Rogers.

Many of the engines that competed in the contest feature advanced fuel-saving devices. For example, GDI engines have become the state-of-the-art production technology that can both improve fuel economy and vehicle performance.

“Last year, we saw a GDI engine – the Audi 3.2-liter FSI – recognized in the Ward’s best engine list,” Rogers notes. “Since then, more manufacturers have introduced GDI engines with great success.”

Some markets have special requirements, he says. “Due to the historically higher fuel prices in Europe and Japan, some of these technologies have been developed for those markets. Consumer demand is now shifting the priorities in North America and those technologies are coming here in the next few years.”

Diesel engines shouldn’t be overlooked either as they have gained wide acceptance in Europe. Recent sales successes of diesel-powered passenger vehicles in the United States indicate that greater acceptance is anticipated.

“The diesel engine’s strong low-end torque makes it ideal for the vehicle sizes and driving conditions in North America,” Rogers says.

Environmental objections to diesel engines will be greatly reduced with the pending introduction of particulate filters, low-sulfur fuel, and nitrous oxide (NOx) aftertreatment systems, Rogers notes. The greatest challenge is that advanced diesel engines cost more than advanced gasoline engines. They are much less expensive, however, than hybrid electric systems.

tagTRAX: gary rogers | fev | rogers | fuel economy improvement | vehicle calibration

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Today, as fuel prices continue to escalate, more car buyers are contemplating on getting small passenger cars instead of bigger vehicles such as those top-selling trucks and SUVs from Ford.

Ford Parts Online believes your Ford vehicle—a truck, a sport utility or a car can be fuel efficient and can have better gas mileage by upgrading its original Ford parts and by improving your driving habits.

Here are some fuel saving tips from Ford Parts Online—things you can do with your Ford truck or Ford SUV so you won’t have to trade it for a smaller and less useful car:

1. Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Driving fast doesn’t mean driving more efficiently. You should speed up smoothly and gradually to save fuel, especially when you are driving your Ford truck on an elevated area.

2. Reduce weight of your vehicle. You can do this by unloading some unnecessary cargoes. If you have to replace some of your body parts, say your Ford hood, Ford tailgate and Ford fenders, replace them with those made of carbon fiber material that is light yet very durable.
3. Your engine is a major contributing factor to your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and over-all performance. You can make it more fuel efficient by turbo charging the engine or replacing some of the worn out Ford engine parts. Turbo diesel engines under 1.4 L are the most fuel efficient engines in terms of power per unit displacement.
4. Moreover, make sure that the engine is well tuned.
5. Make sure your Ford wheels are properly aligned and your tires are well inflated.
6. If your Ford is equipped with a manual transmission, use the highest gear possible.
7. When driving at high speeds, make sure that your windows are closed to avoid aerodynamic drag. At low speeds, you can put off the AC system and open the windows instead to save fuel. Likewise, it is important to check that all AC system parts especially the Ford AC condenser is at perfect working condition.
8. Avoid idling, especially for more than 10 seconds.

[Full Press Release at PRWEB Nov 17, 2005]