Make Your Own Homemade Hybrid
A hybrid car runs partly on gas, partly on electricity. A homemade hybrid runs partly on gas, partly on the driver's attention. A hybrid car automatically turns off the engine whenever the car is not moving. To turn any car into a homemade hybrid, just turn the engine off when you're not using it to go!
You say WHAT?!? That's ridiculous! Everyone knows it takes 5 minutes worth of gas to start an engine! (Or 30 seconds. Or 3 minutes. Or something.) Everyone knows it will ruin your engine if you turn it off and on a lot!
Forty years ago, when cars were built with carburetors and there was no such thing as global warming, those concerns were valid. But today, the ice caps are melting (see for yourself!) and cars are all made with fuel injection engines, which start up with little effort. Today, there is NO REASON to run your engine unless it's making your car move.
Do you know how much gas it really takes to start a car? TEN SECONDS' worth. Which means, if you're going to be idling for more than ten seconds, you'll save gas by turning off the ignition.
You won't find anyone in the U.S. advocating such rash behavior. Even the U.S. Department of Energy or the U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in their fuel econony tips goes no further than to make this obvious statement: "Avoid Excessive Idling. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon."
But in many foreign cities (in Japan, Switzerland, Canada), even idling at traffic lights is against the law. Read "Idling: Myths Versus Reality" by the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency, and you, too, will want to drive a Homemade Hybrid!
I kicked the idling habit and saved a gallon of gas per tank, which for my car is just over 10%. If everyone suddenly cut their emissions by 10%, we could slow this problem down before 2050. It's a small step anyone can take, to feel like they're part of the solution.
Visit the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency to download great printouts and freebies to start an anti-idling campaign in your community. Download a "Homemade Hybrid" window poster right here to display right on your car.
[NOTE: when this blog was first created in 2007, I had to dig far and wide for actual facts on idling. Now this information is everywhere—hooray! Is it time to retire this blog?]
12 comments:
HOORAY! The news is getting out. The Environmental Defense Fund has included the ten-second rule in their driving tips! Check it out!
Please let me know if you'd like to see a copy of the Canadian Study: Review of the Incidence, Energy Use and Costs of Passenger Vehicle Idling. It shows the ratios of starter wear to gas savings, and much more.
hey that's a cool idea, nice post , keep it up,...
1938-1939 Buick Shop Manuals
Here's the latest thing: jerry-rig your engine to use water as fuel! Apparently there are old patents lying around that the gas companies once killed off. Some guy wrote an ebook based on them, showing you how to double your mileage. It seems you use your car's electricity to separate hydrogen from the water and burn it.
I haven't tried it yet, but it's on the list!
Click here to find out more.
No matter what you say, you relinquish control of your vehicle when "hypergravity" is used.
The Conneticut State Police are very certain that your process is unsafe and illegal.
But then, what's a little risk management amongst citizens?
It is illegal in many places to turn the engine off while the car is being operated. For valid reason. Engine Maniford vacuum is typically used to power brakes and steering boosters, leading essentially to little or no brakes and steering. Not a safe combination.
This leaves you vulnerable to carjackers.
you have got to be kidding !!
turn your car off everytime you idle. that is great for you hot starter.
it takes more fuel to start your car than idleing for a few seconds ever will. 2 words wear and tear..
hybids are a joke the little amount of fuel you may save will be nothing to the real cost in $$$$
when it breaks down. the electric motor will cost as much as 3 times as the car did new, if you can get one.
the electric car has been around as long ago as early 1900s yes early 1900s. our great goverment and the oil powers put a stop to them. there is NO GLOBLE WARMING
the ice caps have been melting even brfore man put the first car on the road.
Check out what green auto-bloggers are saying about "homemade hybrid" technology....
http://green.autoblog.com/2007/03/29/care-to-try-making-your-car-a-homemade-hybrid-with-the-ten-sec
Preference, trend, and price may not just be the considerations a car shopper should make when buying a vehicle. Increase fuel efficiency will save tons of greenhouse gases leading to fewer floods, lesser death of plants and animals, and other effects of unusual climate changes.
This is exciting stuff! i like it very much! do u have some ideas regarding houston used cars
Owning and driving a hybrid car is not only smart, it’s financially wise. The average amount of money saved when switching to a hybrid is nearly $500 annually on gas!! hybrid car
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