Economical and Affordable Green Automotive Technology

Although hybrid cars are the rage, and there are all kinds of alternative energy sources on the horizon, hybrids are cost prohibitive, usually ranging $3000 to $7000 more than the gas only version of that model. However, instead of changing fuel sources, some automotive companies have been using a new type of transmission to improve fuel economy, lower emissions, and actually make vehicles faster without adding to the sticker price.

These companies are using a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and instead of having set gear ratios (or gears), it constantly varies the gear ratios, as well as engine performance, so that they both operate at their most efficient level in any driving scenario.

Because these key components of the power train are at their peak performance at all times, fuel economy is improved by 6-8% and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 10%.

Although these figures may not sound impressive, the gas savings increase the highway mileage of most vehicles by 4 to 6 mpg, which adds up pretty quickly at $3/gallon.

The CVTs potential for reducing emissions is also significant. As Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Company, said, achieving his goal of selling one million CVT equipped vehicles by the end of 2007 will have the same effect in terms of reducing CO2 emissions as selling 200,000 hybrid electric vehicles.

Since there is no shifting between fixed gears, there is no shift shock or jerking sensation, which makes them exceptionally smooth to drive. CVTs also do well in hilly terrain since there is no gear hunting or bogging down on a hill, followed by a loud, violent downshift, which also contributes to its superior acceleration.

You may be wondering why this isnt in every car if it is so great. Well, every year, more vehicles in the American market add CVTs as an option, though it has happened quietly, as many people are leery of new technology, especially in cars.

The CVT is actually quite old although it is new to American automobiles. The concept was developed by Leonardo DaVinci and was first patented in the late 1800s for industrial applications. The CVT has been used in Asian and European vehicles since the 1950s, but until recently CVTs could not handle the power that American drivers demand from their cars. However, CVTs have seen widespread use in snowmobiles and Formula 500 racing where they have a reputation for extending engine life and being much easier to rebuild than either a manual or automatic step transmission.

So where can you test drive a CVT-equipped vehicle? Well you can go to dealerships selling Ford, Dodge, Audi, or Mini-Cooper, to name a few, although a Nissan dealership may be the best place to go. In order to hit their goal of one million CVT sales in 2007, they have installed CVTs in nearly every sedan in their lineup, including the best selling Altima, Maxima, and economical Versa (as a side note, Nissan has also made side curtain airbags standard in these models, improving safety and reducing insurance costs).

Although you may not have the budget for a hybrid vehicle or cannot wait for that miracle fuel to hit the market, you can take it easy on the environment, as well as your checkbook, by checking out a few cars with a CVT.

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Hybrid Power Vehicles - How Do They Work

There is a lot of confusion and misconceptions when it comes to hybrid power vehicles. Many people simply do not understand how they work. They have a preconceived notions about having to plug it in, about the general operation which are very wrong.

Hybrid power vehicles work a lot like gasoline power vehicles. Most people do not know that. In fact, a lot of people do not even realize that a hybrid uses gasoline, too.

A hybrid works off both gasoline and electric power. That is why it is called a hybrid. The engine of a hybrid vehicle is a lot like that in a gasoline vehicle. A hybrid also has a battery, but it is much different then the battery of a gasoline vehicle.

The hybrid vehicles battery serves as a power source just like the engine. The battery gives the engine power instead of gasoline being burned by the engine for power in a hybrid.

Hybrids use gasoline when the vehicle needs more power, such as when accelerating. In many hybrids the engine is shut off and on as needed. It runs off the battery power when the engine is off. The car kicks the engine back on when it needs that extra power source.

Hybrid vehicles usually come with all the features that are offered on their gasoline counterparts. Consumers are not having to sacrifice features in order to get a hybrid. In fact, the majority of the time manufacturers make their hybrids from a gasoline model they already have.

One of the biggest issues with hybrids is that weight plays a hug factor in the operation of the vehicle. Electric energy just does not have the same power as gasoline energy. Heavier vehicles like hybrid SUV's or hybrid minivan's need to use more gasoline then a hybrid car or they will be less powerful then their gasoline counterparts.

A hybrid vehicle does not have to be plugged in. There are some newer models that offer this option, but in general, most do not have to ever be plugged in to get its electric power. The electric power is all generated within the motor of the vehicle, so it is self contained.

Hybrid vehicles offer a way for consumers to use less gasoline and to help out the environment because they are not as polluting as gasoline vehicles. Hybrid power vehicles are the wave of the future. Technology is quickly advancing and more and more manufacturers are introducing hybrid models of their popular vehicles.

Learn more about Hybrid Cars. Compare the various hybrid cars and understand their benefits. Know what to take note when buying such car. Visit Joseph's website at http://www.hybridcarsmoney.com for more useful information on Hybrid Power Vehicles and How Hybrid Cars Work

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SUV Gasoline Saving Tips - Convert Your SUV Into a Hydrogen Hybrid

If you drive a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), your biggest expenses now would be your weekly gasoline bill. SUV is well known for its notorious appetite to consume fuel. This is unavoidable due to its weight and large engine capacity. Some SUV owners have decided to trade in their prized vehicle for a more fuel economy sedan. For those who choose to keep their cars, this article will share some SUV gasoline saving tips.

In order to improve the fuel mileage of SUV, it can be converted into a hydrogen hybrid. A hydrogen hybrid car is a vehicle that uses both conventional gasoline and hydrogen gas (H2) as energy source. H2 is chosen for its potency and high burning rate. To modify a SUV to run on hydrogen gas, an electrolysis device would have to be installed next to the engine. The purpose of the electrolysis device is to extract H2 from water. This is possible because water is made from 2 molecules of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen thus its name H2O.

For a Sport Utility Vehicle to run on water, the hydrogen gas has to be released into the engine air intake system. When the vehicle is moving, it will suck the H2 into the combustion chambers and combined with gasoline vapor. The gas mixture in the engine will produce a much large explosion thus generating more power. When a SUV is burning the same amount of fuel and achieving a high power level, it has a potential to travel further hence improving its gas mileage. It is a proven fact that a hydrogen hybrid SUV is much cheaper to run. As and added benefit for the environment, the water for fuel system is a clean technology because the only by product is pure water vapor released into the exhaust pipe.

Would you like to know how to create your own SUV Water To Fuel Conversion Kit? The system has been proven to save up to 57% on fuel and can double the gas mileage of a vehicle. Read the reviews on top online resources to convert your car to run on water at http://www.water-car-review.info

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How to Find Great Car Accessories For Your Car

Why do you need to buy car accessories to compliment your car? Many people buy car accessories so as to make their car look great. Some of them buy it to personalize and add some style to their cars. Whatever your reason may be for buying accessories, I believe that you absolutely enjoy the process of shopping for one.

Most of the car accessories that are out in the market are expensive. If you are on a shoestring budget, you can consider starting off with buying some cheaper ones first. A cheap accessory that many people enjoy is sticker. The sticker can show a funny statement or a message for social cause. These are always funny to look at and you can seriously consider getting some to stick on your car.

Sometimes, car accessories can be necessary things like floor mats. You can either get a plain floor mat or one that has a catchy design. Another necessary car accessory is air fresheners. Without air fresheners, it is very hard to convince your friends to stay long inside your car.

The above are some examples of very affordable car accessories. Now, let us move on to the more expensive ones. Expensive car accessories are usually electronic in nature. Some examples are neon headlights, CD player, DVD player or a sound woofer. Some cars even install a mini television unit and add a PlayStation or an Xbox to it for more entertainment.

One of the most expensive car accessories is a GPS system. A GPS system is a Global Positioning System. By installing a GPS system in your car, it can help you to get to and from various locations easily. A system like this can cost you about $1000; therefore you must decide whether you really need it before you install this system into your car.

One very interesting car accessories is the radar detection system. This system helps you to know when a police officer may be nearby looking for speeding cars. If you have installed a radar detection system in your car, it will alert you so that you can slow down and avoid getting a speeding ticket.

There are tons of car accessories for you to choose from. Whether you want to buy one to compliment your car or to help you avoid getting speeding tickets, you are spoil for choices. Take your time to look for the one that best suits your car.

To find quality car accessories, visit the website below now:

Click Here --> Car Accessories at http://www.Silent.com.sg

Feel free to publish this article on your website, or send it to your friends, as long as you keep the resource box and the content of the article intact.

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Auto Accessories - Why Are Auto Accessories Necessary

Everyone who has a car, truck or SUV will need to have some type of auto accessories to help keep it running in top performance. Then there are the auto accessories that you can use inside your vehicle to help make you more comfortable and to help take care of your vehicle. There are a lot of accessories available that you can get for your vehicle.

Here are some of the more common auto accessories that a lot of people get for their vehicle.

Car Care Accessories: These are the accessories that you need to help you keep your vehicle running in top notch condition and to keep it looking good. These include tires, engine, interior and exterior accessories, body of the vehicle and other mechanical parts needed to help your vehicle run well.

The interior accessories are not necessary but they can help to protect certain things in your car or are just to make you more comfortable in your vehicle. These auto accessories include, dash covers, seat covers, mirrors, shifter knobs, steering wheel covers, fuel consumption meters, window tint, stereo system, DVD players, floor mats and even air fresheners.

Car seat covers can be purchased at any store or auto store and they come in different materials. The ones that you get will depend on your personal preference. The types that are available are leather, sheepskin, custom car seats and infant car seat covers.

The exterior auto accessories can consist of spoilers, sports mirrors, head and tail light covers, window visors, car covers, sunroof, windshield wiper blades and many others. What you get to use for the exterior of your vehicle is again dependent on your personal preference.

There are many benefits to having auto accessories. Here are a few that you may already know about.

One: Auto accessories provide your vehicle with a smart look, in other words they make them look better then it would without them.

Two: They also help protect your vehicle from wear and tear. For example, when you get car seat covers you are protecting the seats from the sun and body wear.

These are just two of the many reasons why auto accessories are a good idea for your vehicle. These are the most common reasons why people use these accessories for their vehicle. You can get whatever accessory that you need or want at a local store near you or you can shop online for them. With the internet it is not hard to find the right auto accessories for your car.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on Auto Accessories and BMW Accessories at http://www.autoaccessoriesworld.com

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The Breakthrough Lexus Hybrid Cars

Lexus hybrid cars are the outcome of more than a decade of strenuous scientific efforts and technical modifications that finally proved rewarding. The breakthrough Lexus hybrid models include the GS 450h saloon performance, the RX 400h SUV and the LS 600h saloon luxury flagship; all the three designs are a main indicators to the consumer market that low reduced toxic gases, ride efficiency, powerful engine and fuel advantages are possible in our century. The luxury Lexus hybrid is the first model of car in its class and it also sets the record as the very first rear wheel drive hybrid automobile. Such a car means less stress on the environment, but even more rewards for person who rides it.

The fuel-powered engine works in combination with by a very complex electric engine that takes care of the functioning of the car from standstill to instant motion. Though the engine be a 6.0-liter model, Lexus hybrid cars remain remarkable by the very low emission range. Besides the environmental advantages that electrical cars represent there are the main outcomes and goal achievements of hybrid and electrical cars in general, and Lexus hybrid designs also provide an immense level of comfort that is only specific to luxury cars such as the reclining ottoman or the Shiatsu massage system. The power button in a Lexus hybrid will only open the use of the electric power system, and though you'll be touching the acceleration, there are no gas emissions whatsoever.

The most important accomplishment in the creation of the Lexus hybrid vehicles is that the two power sources, electrical and fuel-based are able to work as a unitary system. This is reflected in the way the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission functions making gentle acceleration possible without the trouble of changing gears several times. This kind of transmission equipment has a crucial impact in the saving energy properties specific to Lexus hybrid cars. Furthermore, the noise level becomes minimal, you'll be driving a quiet car that doesn't bother either the passengers or the neighbors.

How long can an electrical battery work properly? This is the main concern for anyone buying a Lexus hybrid. The manufacturer claims that the battery is designed for long life usage: it is a 288V Nickel Metal-Hydride piece that is located in the back part of the car so as to make possible a good weight distribution in the economy of the vehicle. In a nutshell, Lexus hybrid vehicles are more silent and energy saving from speeding to deceleration. When slowing down and you press the break pedal, the engine turns into a generator. Motion power that is reduced and lost is captured and turned into electrical energy that is sent back to the battery recharging it.

For more information on hybrid cars, please visit http://buyautotrader.com/category/hybrid-car/

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