Archive for September, 2008
Houstonians are collectively lucky – Hurricane Ike could have wrought worse. That’s not to say the present situation is comfortable. For nearly a week, greater Houston has been starved of power and water. People who evacuated have been discouraged from returning. Those who stayed face severe fuel shortages. Empty gasoline reservoirs dash many families’ hopes of escape.
Except for those whose vehicles run on Ethanol.
University of Houston mechanical engineering senior Chris Reudelhuber left his Inner Loop apartment for a friend’s home in Sugar Land in search of cool air and a hot meal. “I noticed a Kroger fuel station on the side of the road,” Reudelhuber said. “They were completely out of gasoline, but they still had E85.”
Reudelhuber’s 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pickup is capable of running on either the earth-friendly but oft-ignored biofuel – or regular gasoline. Current hybrids run solely on conventional gasoline, decreasing their effectiveness during fuel shortages.
“I filled up my tank, and now I’m heading to College Station to escape the heat,” Reudelhuber said.
E85 usually sells for about $1 per gallon less than conventional gasoline, but vehicles usually deliver moderately decreased mileage when using the biofuel.
Many vehicles already on the road are capable of running on E85. Drivers should look for a label on the inside of their fuel filler lid or on the outside of their gas cap to ensure compatibility. A comprehensive list of E85-capable vehicles can be found on the Department of Energy’s website. A list of E85 fuel stations can be found at http://www.e85refueling.com.
ExpoTV member winfreyson reviewed his mom’s E85-compatible Chevrolet Suburban. We also checked out the Ethanol-friendly Saab 9X BioHybrid and Dodge Ram pickup at this year’s New York International Auto Show.
By the way, if you’re interested in helping relief efforts, visit the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Volunteer Houston, or the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.
Many happy miles,
Adam
September 18th, 2008
Well, who are we to question what’s possible?
Coskata says their proprietary bacteria can gobble any carbon-based matter — wood chips, old tires, even municipal waste — and emit pure ethanol. Check out their website to see an animated explanation of the process.
This futuristic tech might sound impossible, but Coskata has already begun constructing a demonstration plant in Pennsylvania that will produce 40,000 gallons per year. The small output will be used in fleet testing to research the viability of the fuel.
The future belongs to the dreamers!
Many happy miles,
Adam
September 9th, 2008
The highmileage.org racecar has finally eaten too many cones for my comfort. She needs a little TLC, and that’s going to come in the form of an el-cheapo paintjob. Now, it’s probably not a good idea to paint your daily driver by yourself — certainly not with Rust-oleum paint. But handy weekend racers love Rust-oleum paint jobs for their track cars, because the process is cheap and easy. The finished product might be called… ch-easy. (I’ll get my coat.)
Instructables.com guide DrSimons created a graphical step-by-step guide that takes the guesswork out of the process. I was so impressed with DrSimon’s thoroughness that I had to browse the rest of the site. This site is a treasure-trove of user-created project guides that can help anyone discover their crafty side. It’s the perfect complement to a user-powered site such as ExpoTV — I bet a few of our Videopinion creators would make excellent Instructables guides!
Many happy miles,
Adam
September 5th, 2008
Diligent new car shoppers will spend days braving pushy salespeople, headache-inducing mathematics and rush-hour traffic to ensure that their final decision is as informed as possible. What many new car shoppers don’t realize is that some manufacturers host no-pressure test drive events that pit cars against their direct competition. Audi, General Motors, Mazda, and Subaru have hosted these “experiential marketing campaigns” in the past, but no manufacturer has a predictable schedule. Only Scion hosts events yearly. Events are often advertised in car magazines and convention center calendars. This summer, there are three must-drive events — and all three are free of charge!
Luxury shoppers have the chance to compare the new Hyundai Genesis against the Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class at one of several free Drive Genesis events across the country. Shoppers and enthusiasts can benchmark the cars’ interior quality, driving dynamics, design elements and specifications against each other — with speed that a day of dealership hopping can’t match.
Full-size truck buyers face a market saturated with excellent products — there’s no such thing as an easy decision in the segment. Dodge thinks their 2009 Ram has the equipment and capability to win over hedging buyers, and hosts the Ram Challenge Tour to prove their point. We learned about the ‘09 Ram’s eco-friendly E85-capable powertrain and innovative RamBox in-bed cargo storage at the New York International Auto Show. Tour participants will have the chance to experience those features up close, and compare the Ram head-to-head with its competition.
BMW’s Ultimate Driving Experience allows shoppers to truly test cars’ capabilities on a closed course. Professional driving instructors offer tips that will make drivers safer and more alert — on any road, and in any car. Internet registration is unavailable; shoppers must contact a dealer to receive an invitation.
Though these events are hosted by auto manufacturers, most are staffed by third-party marketing firms whose personnel have no direct incentive to sell a vehicle. Event staff is eager to share knowledge, but never pushy. This comfortable climate could be the best way to decide on your next car.
Many happy miles,
Adam
September 2nd, 2008
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