1 Sep 2008

Salt Water as Fuel, 1500° C

In: Major Innovations
Salt Water as Fuel

A fire lit using radio waves and salt water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGg0ATfoBgo

Using focused radio waves, he can ignite salt water to a temperature of 1500° C. It can also light up a fluorescent bulb.

No mention in the video of whether or not the radio waves have to be maintained to keep the salt water lit. I’m curious about the amount of power needed to do this. The machine that pelts the salt water looks way too big to be used in a car, but given some research and a few year’s time, who knows?

1 Sep 2008

What the Numbers Mean: E10, E85

In: E Information
Flex Fuel logo

Flex Fuel logo

The number after the ‘E’ denotes the percentage of ethanol fuel to gasoline. E10 has 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, E85 has 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

Typically, gas mixed with more ethanol is less expensive, but more corrosive to an engine not designed to run on ethanol fuel.

1 Sep 2008

E10, E20 Safe for All Cars

In: E Information

According to http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/E20_and_latemodel_vehicles.html in a 13 month study put on by the University of Minnesota, all engines–regardless of their age–are capable of using E10 and E20 fuel.

The concentration of ethanol in said fuels will not damage an engine.

To use E85, which is significantly cheaper than E10, you must purchase and install an ethanol conversion kit to prevent engine corrosion. More information on that can be found here.

1 Sep 2008

Find the Nearest E-85 Station

In: E Information
MapQuest tool to find E85 stations

MapQuest tool to find E85 stations

http://gasprices.mapquest.com/

Click the arrow for the drop-down menu under ‘Find Gas Prices’ and look for E85. It can also tell you the cheapest one around.

The only states without E85 are: Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island and Alaska.

1 Sep 2008

Ethanol Conversion Kits

In: E85 Conversion

Here’s a video explaining the installation of such a kit:

You don’t need any mechanical knowledge. The company that produces this kit can be found at www.change2e85.com.

1 Sep 2008

Replacing Spark-Plugs

In: Beginner

A unique article will be posted on this topic in a few days.

When your spark plugs are misfiring, about 25% of your gas tank is wasted. Wipe them clean and check whether or not they need to be replaced every three months or 3,000 miles. A spark plug runs about $5 each. You can find them in any automotive store, but I even came across some in Wal-Mart.

If you aren’t sure how to change them out, this video explains it pretty well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML1IaeScmAE

1 Sep 2008

Wheel Skirts

In: Beginner

According to an experiment at http://www.metrompg.com/posts/grille-blocking-part-2.htm, wheel skirts increase gas mileage by about 6%.

1 Sep 2008

Carpools

In: Save Gas

Organizing a carpool with just one other person will improve your MPG by 50%. With two others, 66%. With three, 75%.

Start asking around at work.

1 Sep 2008

Buy the Cheapest Gas

In: Save Gas

Unless your car’s manual explicitly states to use the premium gasoline, use the cheapest one available.

Performance and driving are unaffected by the cheaper gas.

1 Sep 2008

Frequent Tune-Ups

In: Save Gas

If you aren’t mechanically inclined, get a tune up every three months or 3,000 miles (Car Care Council). If it’s offered, ask for energy conserving oil which yields a 2% increase in MPG.

The following reduce your fuel efficiency if you opt to skip a tune-up:

    Old Oil
    Spark Plugs (25% when misfiring)
    Dirty Air Filter
    Low Tire Pressure
    Unaligned Tires

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