We are all aware that the search for alternative fuel for use by cars these days is growing rampant and apparently we have seen a lot of them. Leading the pack are biodiesels and ethanol but as criticized before, the matter of how the car engine would react is still up in the air.

The manufacturers claim that they will not have any effect and even improve car performance. However, as far as the Philippines Petron Corporation is concerned, they are harmful and may lead to damaged car engines.

The Ethanol gasoline E10 is the alternative fuel being hit, said to be highly corrosive. The E10 fuel is still being sold locally in the Philippines and reports of damaged car engines have been relayed. The Department of Energy (DOE) has been urged of the matter and nothing has been divulged as of yet.

The E10 damages a car’s gas tank, fuel pump, carburetor and fuel injector according to Petron Corp. Chairman Ramon S. Ang. The problem, he said, was that the government did not specify that there should be a dehydrator to remove the water content, which is what makes the ethanol-blended gasoline (E10) highly corrosive.

(Source) Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tags: alternative fuel, car engine, car engines, car performance, carburetor, damaged car, dehydrator, e10 ethanol, e10 fuel, ethanol blended gasoline, ethanol gas, ethanol gasoline, fuel injector, fuel pump, gas tank, petron corp, petron corporation, philippine daily inquirer, tank fuel, water content

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With lesser need to kick up the cooling system of cars, PGW Glass has proven that it can make a difference as far as in-car temperature and fuel consumption issues are concerned. Apparently this is because a car’s air-conditioning system adds load towards a car’s performance.

However, if they are properly aided by shielding sun rays from making changes within the desired car temperature, car engines such as this one from the PHEV can perform better.

“Over repeated UDDS cycles, the Sungate EP glazing reduced the air conditioning power and resulted in an increase in fuel economy,” said John Rugh, Senior Mechanical Engineer for NREL. “The adjusted, utility factor-weighted fuel economy increased from 36.8 to 42.9 mpg for the Sungate EP thermal load case, while the adjusted, UF-weighted electrical energy consumption was roughly equivalent.”

Even in gas-fueled cars, this is the same. The only thing different here is that the PHEV runs totally on electricity. Either way, the impact of proper cooling can change the fuel-consumption or energy-consumption level of cars if the load is attended to. And it looks like Pittsburgh Glass Works has given motorists something to smile about.

(Source) Press

Tags: air conditioning system, car engines, consumption issues, consumption level, cooling system, electrical energy consumption, electricity, fuel consumption, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, glass works, mechanical engineer, motorists, phev, sun rays, sungate

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For most vehicles, the proper maintenance and car for car engines is important. Hence, we see a lot of cars and engines out there that have been around but are sure to be root causes of dangerous carbon emissions. It has been tradition that overhauls or engine rebuilding are a good way to upkeep the performance of engines, something that motorists are advised to take today especially if they are hit with financial shortcomings.

Several plans are currently being debated in the public forum in an attempt to find a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these concepts have been debated for years — setting higher mileage standards, implementing advanced technologies, and passing “cash for clunkers” legislation. The head of one of the country’s largest engine parts distribution groups says one simple, quicker and less costly idea is starting to gain more attention — professionally rebuilding worn-out and inefficient engines of the millions of older cars and trucks now on the road.

The president of Engine Parts Group, Inc., Thomas Hobson, says that the 25,000 independent shops that make up the U.S. engine rebuilding industry have been restoring auto power plants to original specs for decades and are now beginning to be recognized for their “green” contributions.

“We hear a lot of talk about various ideas to reduce emissions, but policy makers and the public are starting to realize that the rebuilding of older engines may represent one of the fastest, cheapest and least wasteful ways to reduce automobile emissions.”

The U.S. Department of Energy’s fuel efficiency Web site shows that the simple act of keeping an engine properly tuned can save up to 165 gallons of gas per year. Checking spark plugs, oxygen sensors, air filters, hoses and belts are a few examples of maintenance that can result in potential savings of more than $400. Hobson says a complete professional engine rebuild would save that, and much more by restoring engine efficiency to original specs.

(Source) Press

Tags: air filters, auto power, automobile emissions, car engines, carbon emissions, distribution groups, engine efficiency, engine parts, engine rebuilding, fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, hobson, independent shops, older cars, oxygen sensors, power plants, professional engine, proper maintenance, root causes, spark plugs

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When it comes to driving, proper scheduling of car maintenance in a need. And while most people are pre-occupied on the speed and how their car engines fare, NAPA Auto Parts reminds motorists how important it is to step on the brakes.

Given that Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year constantly using their brakes in traffic, it’s obvious proactive brake maintenance is important. However, since brake replacement timeframes vary anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 miles, recognizing brake warning signs is imperative to avoid a complete brake failure.

In an effort to keep drivers protected and save them money, NAPA’s 2009 Technician of the Year, Jack Gregory, offers advice on what those warning signs mean and why you should pay attention to them.

• Hear loud or frequent squeaks or grinding – A sound mechanism built into the brakes alerts drivers when replacements are needed. If a metal scraping sound occurs, the brakes have worn down to the rotors and need to be fixed.
• Smell an acid, burning odor – Problems with calipers sticking or hanging up, as well as problems with the brake hose can produce the scent. Heavy braking also can cause an unpleasant odor. “As soon as the driver smells the odor, I recommend bringing the vehicle to an ASE-certified technician who can diagnose the source and fix the problem before it gets worse,” said Gregory.
• Feel your brake pedal “squish” or become difficult to depress – Squishy brakes indicate air in the brake system caused by problems with the master cylinder, possibly a leak. Difficult to depress brakes are also often caused by a malfunctioning power booster.
• Feel shuddering or a continuous vibration in the steering wheel – Brake rotors or brake drums can trigger the vehicle to shake. “If you feel this shuddering for an extended period of time, it’s a warning sign to have your brakes inspected,” notes Gregory.
• See rust or metal flakes peeling off your brakes – When the vehicle brake pads are worn and hit the rotors, rust or metal flakes appear.
• See the brake system warning light turn on – A vehicle’s brake light usually warns the driver about worn brake pads. “The brake light can also indicate low fluids levels in the master cylinder, possibly caused by a leak,” added Gregory. “Either way, it’s important to have the problem addressed quickly before the brake system completely malfunctions putting you and others in danger.”

(Source) Press

Tags: brake drums, brake failure, brake hose, brake rotors, car engines, car maintenance, certified technician, continuous vibration, jack gregory, master cylinder, metal flakes, napa auto parts, power booster, squeaks, squish, steering wheel, timeframes, unpleasant odor, warning sign, warning signs

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Lifan Cars, a China-based auto manufacturing company is set to further expand its car export market and has eyed the Philippines as its next target. Already exporting cars to over 100 countries, Lifan Cars is planning to make a big splash in the Philippine market via its LF520 mid-size sedan.

LF520 has been exported to over 50 countries including Russia, Vietnam, Iran, Chile and Venezuela. Lifan Cars plans to introduce to the local market at least three car models this year.

Lifan Cars is a unit of China-based conglomerate Lifan Group with operations in the financial/banking sector, real estate, football industry and research and development.

Lifan Group has also been engaged in the production of trucks, buses, motorcycles, and car engines and subsequently ventured into automobile production.

(Source) GMA News

Tags: automobile production, car engines, car models, exporting cars, lifan group, manufacturing company, mid size, motorcycles, philippines, research and development, venezuela, vietnam

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