Saving Gas

Saving gas is on the minds of a lot of folks. And it's no wonder. With gas prices
at record levels, the gas saving claims are coming out of the woodwork. Can you save gas with low tech solutions? Absolutely! But does the latest flood of inbox-filling gas-saving spouting luncheon meat carry any weight? Hardly. There's little doubt that you can save gas without buying a new car. In fact, the US government has a whole list of ways that you can (and can't) save gas.

UPDATE (7/05): Check out this list of cars that average more than 30 MPG combined in EPA testing

While the gas savings spouted by this latest round of unsolicited commercial mailbox-filler are dubious at best, techies are gleefully taking the gas sucking beast by the horns. Through a combination of smart techniques and home brewed technology, they're saving fossil fuel by diving into the biodiesel waters.

Want to learn about those unconventional and conventional ways to save gas?

A savvy group of environmentally conscious drivers aren't content to bolt on a "Fuel Buddy," instead, they're converting their cars to run on waste vegetable oil ... The stuff that fills the fryers everywhere from fast food joints through Chinese restaurants.

A Massachusetts company by the name of Greasecar manufactures a kit to convert common diesel engines to run on vegetable oil. This innovative biodiesel approach allows the restaurants to get rid of their waste oil for free, rather than paying a company to come and haul it off for a fee. Greasecar drivers pick up the waste oil, perform a straining operation, and promptly tank up their veggie vehicles.

A Greasecar-modified vehicle must start on diesel fuel before switching over to vegetable oil. It must also switch back over to diesel fuel before shutting the engine down.  In between, it's all about saving fuel as the engine runs on pure vegetable oil.

When I first read about Greasecar, I immediately set off to look (online, of course) for diesel-powered vehicles, like the nifty VW Jetta TDI. After all, who couldn't love a high-MPG turbo-diesel these days? (Why is diesel fuel so much less expensive, anyway?)

Cool Geek Daddy Father's Day Gift from Eastwood!

40 AT THE PUMPS 7X10 "40 at the Pump" This is a giclee fine art print. This print is availible in 7x10,limited edition 500 and 12x18,limited edition 200. Signed and numbered by artist Dan McCrary.