Vege Car

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 139 Posts Stoked

Not only are hybrids not very green, but the majority of people driving them do not even understand the basis of how these cars work. Around town (up to a certain speed) they run on batteries only, but as soon as you turn on the headlights the gasoline engine comes into play, greatly reducing the fuel economy of these vehicles. People supposedly buy them for environmental reasons, then defeat this by running headlights in the daytime and needllessly burning petro.

It seems that the majority of people do not realize that headlights reduce fuel economy 2-12%. The smaller an engines displacement, the more of a fuel economy loss is experienced by headlight use. Lighting studies have never shown a significant improvement in "Safety" on bright sunny days, yet it seems 30-40% of floks drive with them on no matter what.

The cost is estimated to be 406 millions of gasoline each year in the US and 8 billion lbs of CO2 for daytime vehicle lighting!

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

the civic hybrid only uses the electric as a assist. The only time the 1.4 liter is off is at a full stop at a light. It is about emmisions in town which barely gets better milage than a regular civic. the toyota uses the electric only at low speed. The a/c shuts off when in eco mode when idling. headlights do not turn on automatically.

My geo metro I once drove had the headlights on when ever the car was on and that thong with its glorious 1.0 liter 3 cylinder got 50 ans as high as 58 mpg average per tank.

cars are not green.......cars are a money pit.....

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

I'm going to run my 92 Toyota Corolla wagon until it runs no more - 40 mpg on the highway, and the best personal kite/surf mobile I've ever had. I can fit all of my kite gear behind the back seat (unless I pack the surfboard) and for surfing if its a short trip across town, I can actually fit my 9-foot longboard and a 7-foot shortboard inside the car with all the doors closed!

Maybe by the tiime I've run the Corolla into the ground we'll have figured out the alternative fuel thing - but I figure why spend money now when as long as this car keeps going I'm saving $$ not having to buy something new and getting good gas mileage as well.

If you can find one of these used, they're a great option.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

How do you guys manage wet and sandy gear without a box on top? I'd love to take mine off for Fuel mileage sake, but its just so nice to be able to toss wet sandy gear up there and not stink up my ride.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

I have a rocket on top of the vw thats why it only gets 50 mpg. Laughing

wet stuff goes in a actionpacker though only boards in the box. rest goes in the bed, its a truck.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Here's a good thread I found on Diesel:

http://mydrive.roadfly.com/blog/ExJxZ3/

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

That 2008 Jetta wagon would be a sweet kite car Thumb's Up

robkov · Since 03 Jul 2006 90 Posts 97031

if you run any veggie oil or even bio diesel you void your warranty and you will probably be blowing seals in a year...

Ask the city of Portland, they are dealing with this now.

colby · Since 23 Apr 2005 613 Posts Celebrity Photographer

a friend of mine has Jetta diesel wagon that he says gets over 55mph now!...here's something from a quick search on it:

http://www.epinions.com/content_112557198980
http://www.epinions.com/content_251020742276

synergy12 · Since 31 May 2007 139 Posts Stoked

I have been running biodiesel since the very first tank, December of 2004. No blown seals, no hose problems.......no problems at all.

There are many people out there who have been using vegetable oil as a fuel for a very long time, and have experienced zero issues related to this fuel.

The company I had convert the Sprinter Van has been converting Japanese Government Vehicles for the past couple of years (Golden Fuel Systems). That says a lot to me.

Yes, even running 6% biodiesel voids warranties on VW's and Mercedes vehicles, which is crap as they warranty them for 100% biodiesel and Vegtable oil in Germany. My dealer says: " If you have a fuel related problem, just lie and tell us it has 5% Biodiesel in the tank. We would never have it tested to tell the actual percentage.

Certainly running veg voids the warranty, but only on the fuel system. I did the math before the conversion, and to get me past my warranty period running petro diesel would have cost in excess of $20,000 in fuel costs. In my opinion, it was just not worth it.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Yeah, everything I have read online basically says that running vegetable oil in the car seems to make it run even cleaner and last longer. I would most likely be picking up a used vehicle anyway, without a warranty.

It would be pretty sweet to pick up an old Hummer H1, convert that and run it on WVO.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

This thing woulod be cool as hell as a pimped out kite car. Over 30 mpg and runs on WVO.