Clipmarks | Fuel efficiency Clips

Panic! at the Citgo: Running Out of Oil, and Why 450 is the New 350.

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:16:58 GMT

clipped by: brightlight4

Panic! at the Citgo: Running Out of Oil, and Why 450 is the New 350.

Oil supplies in flux

According to a report in the Guardian, the Agency may have deliberately overstated world oil supplies, in order to avoid a worldwide buying panic. An unnamed (and therefore unverified) sources claim that the US has played an influential role in encouraging the organization to "underplay the rate of decline from existing oil fields while overplaying the chances of finding new reserves." Another (also unnamed) source was quoted as saying "We have [already] entered the 'peak oil' zone. I think that the situation is really bad."

So whether for the planet or the pocketbook, it's time to wake up. Things simply will not stay the way they are. We can either start spending on clean energy and efficiency now, or pay even more for the privilege of using up more fossil fuel and polluting the planet, with dire consequences. Why does this seem like a difficult choice?

Fly at 45MPG and forget about your Prius...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:27:46 GMT

clipped by: adosuzano
clipper's remarks: Why use a Prius when you can move at 200MPH @ 45MPG?

Clip Source: www.treehugger.com

Hypermiling Plane Gets 45 MPG at 207 MPH, Capable of 100 MPG (That's Better Than Most Cars!)

With 2 People on Board (Unlike Photo Above)
Klaus Savier likes to have his cake and eat it too. Usually with airplanes, speed and efficiency are a tradeoff. You go slower and burn less fuel, or you go faster and burn more fuel (all else being equal). This is why it is impressive that Mr. Savier won this year's Fuelventure 400 in his modified VariEze (originally designed by the famous Burt Rutan) by getting 45 MPG at 207 MPH, and this with two people on board (and for those wondering, there were no massive tailwinds or anything of the sort).

Savier has altered his Vari-EZ and its Continental 0-200 engine by adding computerized fuel injection and ignition systems of his own design. He typically flies at 190 KTAS while getting a Prius-like 50 miles per gallon. If he slows to extend range, Savier's mileage approaches 100 miles per gallon.

Tags: prius, economy, gas, gasoline, airplane, transportation

A perfect storm's brewing to cool petroleum demand

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:12:14 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie
clipper's remarks: There's not so much incentive to invest in exploration, lots of incentive to keep the price of existing supplies as high a possible. The key on price is not really supply, but must be based on what people can afford to pay.

Clip Source: www.marketwatch.com

A perfect storm of influences is having a lasting effect on the world's petroleum markets and there's nothing on the horizon to sway its path.

With high oil and fuel prices, a weak global economy and worldwide government and consumer efforts to increase conservation and efficiency, some analysts doubt a return to the peak energy consumption levels seen just a few years ago.

"Bad economies breed efficiency," said James Williams, an economist at WTRG Economics. Consumers are forced to cut down on costs, including energy consumption, and in doing that, "they may find a more permanent solution for their energy needs."

Petroleum for transportation has been the single driving force behind OECD oil demand

Now we are seeing the tempering of the last significant driver of oil demand in developed countries

Statistics appear to agree. The U.S. is now 52% dependent on imported petroleum instead of 62% dependent because of lower consumption, according to Williams.

Tags: 1-demand, 1-recession, 2-consequences, 2-decrease, 3-forecast, 4-intl

Yeah, They Fixed It All Right!

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:42:27 GMT

clipped by: TwilaMarie

Clip Source: thereifixedit.com

For Electrocution, Please Pull Switch

Please Don't Give My Boss Ideas

What's That Car? Kill You?

Progressive Amish

Heated Van You Say?

In Ur Office, Haxin Ur A/C

Two Phobias Combined

Clip Source: thereifixedit.com

Wonder Why They Had To Label It?

Latent Artistic Talent

Found My Weekend Project

Simultaneously Repulsed And Covetous

Morbidly Curious About The Inside

Wonder What It Looks Like From The Inside?

Clip Source: thereifixedit.com

That Should Hold 'Er

This Looks Legit. Have Fun Kids!

Fuel Efficiency Is Getting Silly

If It Works, It Works

The Racing Stripe Adds Pizazz

More Bathroom Shenanigans

You know, a shower that’s so rusted over that it needs pliers to turn on the water is bad (see post immediately below this one). But let’s look at the bright side…

1. It’s in the right room.

2. Someone with extremely specific OCD hasn’t taken to it with shag and a nail gun.

3. No one is trying to live their entire life without leaving the confines of its warm embrace.

Tags: diy, fix, do it yourself, pic, funny, humor, home, repair, remodel, invent

The Best After Market Devices for Increasing Diesel Mileage

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:21:33 GMT

clipped by: The AnswerMan
clipper's remarks: Diesel fuel prices are going up again

Clip Source: super-gas-saver.com

Even though, on average, diesel engines get better fuel mileage than gasoline engines, there have been many after market devices introduced for increasing diesel mileage. Do any of them even work? If so, what is the best device for increasing diesel mileage? That is a question many drivers want answered, and even more will be clamoring for an answer to that question if fuel prices continue climbing.

It all comes down to one thing; boost pressure. Modern diesels are turbocharged, which does wonders for their power and efficiency. A side effect of turbocharging however, is that when you dip into the throttle, the boost pressure goes up, causing a massive power surge. Unfortunately for the mileage minded among us, it also tells the ECU to increase the injector’s duty cycle, so the engine gets the extra fuel it needs to keep up with the air forced into the engine by the turbo. Extra fuel in means worse mileage out for your diesel.

Austal 10 Trimaran

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:47:32 GMT

clipped by: dylin17

Clip Source: www.gizmag.com

Is this the world’s best ship design? The Austal 102 trimaran

Capable of speeds of 39 nautical miles per hour, the Austal 102 will provide smooth sailing in even the heaviest seas

Shipbuilder Austal first came to Gizmag’s attention in 2005 with the launch of the world’s largest aluminum vessel, the 127 meter Benchijigua Express. The company then started building Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the US Navy, based on the same trimaran design. And, now, Austal is launching an even more refined version that improves sea-keeping, passenger comfort and fuel efficiency. This week, Tony Armstrong, Austal’s head of R&D, spoke exclusively to Gizmag about potentially building 20% of the US Navy fleet, how they reduced fuel consumption by a quarter, what sick bags can tell you, and much more.

Who Killed Detroit?

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:18:16 GMT

clipped by: jay8h
clipper's remarks: "Are we better off now that these things are made by foreigners? Are we better off now that we have ceased to be self-sufficient? Are we better off now that the real wages of our workers and median income of our families no longer grow as they once did? Are we better off now that manufacturing, for the first time in U.S. history, employs fewer workers than government?

We no longer build commercial ships. We have but one airplane company, and it outsources. China produces our computers. And if GM goes Chapter 11, America will soon be out of the auto business.

Our politicians and pundits may not understand what is going on. Historians will have no problem explaining the decline and fall of the Americans."

Clip Source: www.chroniclesmagazine.org

Who Killed Detroit?

I dissent. What killed Detroit was Washington, the government of the United States, politicians, journalists

How did Big Government do in the U.S. auto industry?

Washington imposed a minimum wage higher than the average wage in war-devastated Germany and Japan. The Feds ordered that U.S. plants be made the healthiest and safest worksites in the world, creating OSHA to see to it. It enacted civil rights laws to ensure the labor force reflected our diversity. Environmental laws came next, to ensure U.S. factories became the most pollution-free on earth.

It then clamped fuel efficiency standards on the entire U.S. car fleet.

Next, Washington imposed a corporate tax rate of 35 percent, raking off another 15 percent of autoworkers’ wages in Social Security payroll taxes

The United Auto Workers struck repeatedly to win the highest wages and most generous benefits on earth—vacations, holidays, work breaks, health care, pensions—for workers and their families, and retirees.

Thereifixedit.com

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:05:47 GMT

clipped by: lollipop10

Clip Source: thereifixedit.com

Fuel Efficiency Is Getting Silly

August 29th, 2009

26 comments

If It Works, It Works

August 28th, 2009

31 comments

The Racing Stripe Adds Pizazz

148

August 28th, 2009

44 comments

Salvaged Laptop

184

August 27th, 2009

45 comments

More Bathroom Shenanigans

August 26th, 2009

17 comments

You know, a shower that’s so rusted over that it needs pliers to turn on the water is bad (see post immediately below this one). But let’s look at the bright side…

1. It’s in the right room.

2. Someone with extremely specific OCD hasn’t taken to it with shag and a nail gun.

3. No one is trying to live their entire life without leaving the confines of its warm embrace.

Silver linings, folks. Silver linings. Thanks to Sara over at LovelyListing.com for the images!

Unsanitary Sanitation

143

August 26th, 2009

38 comments

Now With Splinter Option

127

August 26th, 2009

28 comments

Clip Source: thereifixedit.com

Structural Supports

145

August 24th, 2009

23 comments

Thanks! - Mngmt.

247

August 23rd, 2009

36 comments

Tags: thereifixedit, thereifixedit.com

FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR LED HEADLIGHTS

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:52:30 GMT

clipped by: odiedog
clipper's remarks: Headlights made from light-emitting diodes will surpass xenon high-intensity discharge applications by 2014 and eventually will supplant traditional halogen bulbs as the system of choice in new vehicles.

Clip Source: www.ppc1904.com

FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR LED HEADLIGHTS

Headlights made from light-emitting diodes will surpass xenon high-intensity discharge applications by 2014 and eventually will supplant traditional halogen bulbs as the system
of choice in new vehicles, predicts Wolfgang Huhn, general manager of lighting technology for Volkswagen AG’s Audi arm. He made the assertion during a panel discussion this week at the Convergence 2008 automotive electronics conference in Detroit.

LEDs, which are rapidly gaining ground in rear lighting systems and select front functions, are just now being adopted for full headlight systems. The first two applications were introduced this year as options on the Audi R8 supercar and Cadillac Escalade SUV.

Huhn says the higher efficiency can translate into 2% greater fuel economy for the vehicle—and make them essential for next-generation electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Tags: headlights, light-emitting diodes, xenon, high-intensity, discharge, applications, halogen bulbs,

Feds Skewed Clunkers Results

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:44:55 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Trucks were also subject to lower fuel efficiency standards under the program, and analysts were initially surprised not to find more gas-guzzlers on the top 10 list. Seems the government stacked the deck to make its program look more environmentally sound than it is.

(H/T j.leader for the tip)

Is Cash for Clunkers green?
You may be surprised by the facts.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?blogid=49&entry_id=44867

Clip Source: www.sfgate.com

An analysis of purchasing data conducted by Edmunds.com found that the top models purchased under the Cash for Clunkers program were not small foreign cars as government data suggested, but SUVs.

This SUV was the biggest beneficiary of the Cash for Clunkers program

The government data separates models by engine and transmission type; Edmunds does not. Using this method the top 10 models purchased were:

Ford Escape
Ford Focus
Jeep Patriot
Dodge Caliber
Ford F-150
Honda Civic
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Cobalt
Toyota Corolla
Ford Fusion

In other words, half of the top 10 vehicles purchased were trucks or SUVs. Because the Ford Escape, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ford Fusion purchases include hybrid electric versions, the Edmunds rankings may slightly obscure hybrid sales. The government method, however, tends to underrate truck and SUV sales because most models come in both 2WD and 4WD versions and, as a result, their sales numbers were split.

Tags: cars and driving, fossil fuels, hybrids, obama administration

230 MPG? Are you kidding?

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:57:07 GMT

clipped by: aklimento
clipper's remarks: How they will get 230 MPG later next year if now they cannot reach a figure 10 times less? They must have smtin in their sleeve..

If it's true and not next in a long row BS, who would choose to pay $50 per tank if he can pay 10 and no strings attached?

Clip Source: www.abcnews.go.com

Will the Chevy Volt's 'Shaky' 230 MPG Save GM ?

General Motors Pinning Future on the Volt's Mega-Mileage Claims

Vice President Joe Biden looks over a Volt concept vehicle after addressing an audience in Detroit...

While analysts, Congress and Detroit all appear to be sold on hybrids, consumers have yet to pile on in large numbers.

The key may be gas prices.

"Short of that, people are going to buy what suits their pocketbook and suits their needs,"

Clip Source: www.abcnews.go.com

The most-dramatic and hyped of these is the Chevrolet Volt, which General Motors now says could get up to 230 mile per gallon, the first mass-produced American vehicle to ever achieve triple-digit fuel economy.

After years of building big trucks and SUVs, the Big Three Detroit automakers for the last year have been pegging their hopes on fuel-efficient hybrid cars.

Right now, electric bills are relatively affordable.

"A car that gets triple digit fuel efficiency will be a game changer for us,"

Tags: 230 mpg, fuel efficiency, electric car, hybrid, gm, general motors

2010 GMC Terrain

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:55:03 GMT

clipped by: rupalisanyaal
clipper's remarks: The new 2010 GMC Terrain is all set for a debut at the New York Auto Show, and the five-passenger crossover SUV does have some impressive figures to root for.

Clip Source: www.comogy.com

2010 GMC Terrain

The new 2010 GMC Terrain is all set for a debut at the New York Auto Show, and the five-passenger crossover SUV does have some impressive figures to root for. There are two engine options, a 2.4-l four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-l DOHC direct injection V6. The main attraction for the 2.4-l engine is its segment-topping fuel efficiency of 30mpg. On a press of the “ECO” mode console-mounted button, the vehicle goes into fuel saving gear, lowering the torque converter lockup speed to 1,125 rpm and providing better fuel efficiency. Power rating for this engine is at 182hp.

Tags: terrain, debut, new york, passengers, engine, vehicle, amazing

US vehicle efficiency hardly changed since Model T

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:20:41 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: www.newscientist.com

Home |Tech |Environment | News

US vehicle efficiency hardly changed since Model T

13:23 23 July 2009 by Max Glaskin
For similar stories, visit the Energy and Fuels , Cars and Motoring and US national issues Topic Guides

The average fuel efficiency of the US vehicle fleet has risen by just 3 miles per gallon since the days of the Ford Model T, and has barely shifted at all since 1991.

Those are the conclusions reached by Michael Sivak and Omer Tsimhoni at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor. They analysed the fuel efficiency of the entire US vehicle fleet of cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses from 1923 to 2006.

They found that from 1923 to 1935 fuel efficiency hovered around 14 mpg (5.95 km/l), but then fell gradually to a nadir of only 11.9 mpg (5.08 km/l) in 1973. By 1991, however, the efficiency of the total fleet had risen by 42 per cent on 1973 levels to 16.9 mpg (7.18 km/l), a compound annual rate of 2 per cent.

Tags: cars

Cash for Clunkers

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:10:26 GMT

clipped by: mklosinski
clipper's remarks: You can even purchase a Hummer under this program.

Clip Source: www.edmunds.com

To qualify for the "Cash for Clunkers" rebate, you must have an eligible used vehicle that you are willing to trade in for a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle. For a list of eligible used vehicles, please click here.

Once you've established that your used vehicle is likely to be eligible, we suggest you review the list below for eligible new vehicles — because not all new vehicles qualify for the program. New vehicles eligible for rebate must meet minimum fuel efficiency requirements (combined city/highway MPG) established by the EPA, and have a base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (excluding options/accessories/taxes/destination fees) of $45,000 or less.

2009 HUMMER H3T

3.7L 5cyl 5M 4WD

Category 2 Truck

Tags: cars, cash for clunkers

'Cash for clunkers' gets stalled

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:53:07 GMT

clipped by: jatfla
clipper's remarks: As a Drudge headline read: "Car dealer: 'If they can't administer a program like this, I'd be concerned about health insurance'...'"

Clip Source: www.chicagotribune.com

'Cash for clunkers' gets stalled

The government's cash for clunkers program has burned through its $1 billion budget in less than a week as car buyers swarmed dealerships, and federal officials are scrambling to find more money to keep it going, according to government sources.

The program, designed to jump-start car sales and improve the fuel efficiency of the nation's auto fleet, unleashed a wave of pent-up demand that threatened to exhaust funds before dealers could be fully reimbursed for rebates under the plan.

"It's a mad rush right now with people bringing in their clunkers," he said. "The whole place is full."

So far the program has paid about $150 million to car dealers and reserved as much as $850 million more for pending applications. That brought the total dangerously close to the plan's funding limit.