US Economy Forecasts

Scott Siegel asked:


There is some very bad advice out there in regards to increasing your fuel economy. I recently saw an article from the Washington Post. It talked about a driving strategy called hypermiling. While some of the tips presented were useful and legitimate ways to save gas, such as being gentle on the gas pedal, others were just plain dangerous.

The post described this particular fuel saving methodology as hypermiling. It described hypermilers as people who modify their driving to improve mileage and reduce emissions. That can describe many concerned motorists interested in saving gas and the environment. The difference between hypermilers and normal concerned drivers is that hypermilers are fanatics.

It seems that any activity pushed to what one would consider fanaticism is dangerous and this is no different. Some of the techniques suggested by hypermilers can put you the driver and your passengers in great peril.

For example here is one piece of advice offered by some hypermilers: TURN OFF YOUR CAR AND COAST. This behavior is likened to hybrids that shut the gas engine off when the car is sitting still. But with hybrids, the electric motor is how the vehicle starts and runs at slow speeds so the car is not really off, just running on a different system.

When you turn a conventional car off, the first thing that happens is your steering wheel locks. You have absolutely no control of the car at that point. The second thing is there is no power to the vehicle. Not only can you not steer but you can’t power the car if you need to accelerate quickly if an emergency situation should arise.

Additionally the power assisted brake system shuts down. In order to stop the car you have to literally put your brake foot through the floor board. Again an extremely dangerous position to put you, your passengers and other motorists in.

Advice like this is irresponsible and can end up causing someone harm. Another suggestion by Some hypermilers is to over-inflate your tires. Again another dangerous suggestion. Over inflating your tires causes less tread to be in contact with the road. The control of your car is purely through the contact your tires have with the road. If you compromise that, you compromise your control and safety.

Additionally if you over inflate your tires they will wear faster. That means you will loose tread and ultimately loose more traction. Watching your tire pressure is good advice. Keeping them at the proper inflation does save gas. Over inflating is a safety hazard.

The basic premise of hypermilers is good. Relearning how to drive in a responsible manner with fuel economy in mind is the best way to save gas. While much of their advice can be called mainstream, such as slowing down, their fanaticism adds too much of a degree of danger. Common sense driving, learning the correct way to drive fuel efficiently, is the best way to save gas. After all, the best fuel saving device is you, the driver.

Arjen Bootsma asked:


With the rising cost of gas prices and no end in sight everyone wants to save as much money at the gas pump as they possibly can.

Do you remember when you could fill your tank for 10 BUCKS or less? Who do the oil companies think they’re conning?

You and I can’t control the price of gas but by following the current and up-to-date know-how of fuel economy, the tips and tricks, the truth . . .and not the old myths you can quickly and easily start saving significantly on your gas bill.

There is a lot of expert advice available which you can implement instantly so you can start saving money today. Here are some little known tips and tricks you can try out.

1. Paying for your gas the smart way

One of the ways that you can save money at the gas pump is by using a gasoline credit card. When you have a gas card you’ll be able to get 5 or 10 percent rebate back on the purchase of your gas. This can amount to as much as $75 to $300 each year. Many gasoline companies are joining up with other retailers to give you numerous savings at the gas pump.

2. Buy your gas in the morning or evening

Gasoline becomes denser in colder temperatures. Gas pumps are set to measure the volume of the fuel that you pump and not the density. This means that if you fill up your gas tank in the cooler morning temperatures, or in the colder evening hours, that you’ll be getting better gas price economy. Try to fill up your gas tank later in the evening to avoid the rush of day hours.

The next 2 tips will be surprising to you I’m sure.

3. Buy gas from a busy station

Try to buy your gas from a gas station that is consistently busy and therefore has its underground tanks filled on a regular basis. Gas stations that are slow will have gas that has been sitting in underground tanks for longer periods of time, leading to gas contamination. This contamination can mean that the gas you are purchasing is less powerful than fresh gas and will decrease your fuel economy.

4. Turn the nozzle

When you have finished filling up your gas tank try turning the nozzle of the hose a full 180 degrees. This will drain a bit more gas into your tank; in some cases up to an entire half cup that would otherwise be a bonus to the next gas customer. That half cup each time adds up to a lot over the year!

These are just some of the great ways to save on gas!

mike legg asked:


Let’s face it the way things are going it doesn’t look like the price of fuel is going to drop anytime soon. In fact it looks like things are going to get a lot worse. With this in mind many drivers are on the lookout for devices that improve fuel economy and help them get more MPG for their vehicles (whether that be cars, trucks or SUVs).

For those who can afford it, trading in their existing vehicle for a more fuel efficient model,( as most newer vehicles get more MPG than an older one would) or one of the new Hybrid cars seems to be the way to go. However the majority of us, who’s budget doesn’t stretch to a new car will have to rely on devices that improve fuel economy to get more MPG from their old bangers.

During this fuel crisis (as in any crisis) you will get people coming up with scams and schemes to relieve you of your hard earned cash. Scams claiming to have the latest gadgets that will get you the highest MPG from any car or vehicle. Sadly most of these gadgets are shams or myths, some of which have been around for years and are just now popping up again with a new lease of life thanks to the internet.

However along with the more ridiculous claims of gadgets, gizmos, and devices that improve fuel economy, there are some that just may work. Listed below are some of the more promising ones. Now I’m not claiming that these will get more MPG for your car or improve your fuel economy in any significant way, but after reading up on them, they at least seem more practical than most that I have come across.

      Devices that improve fuel economy.

1) Carburettor Mixture Enhancers. This is a device that is installed between the intake manifold and your carburettor, and is supposed to improve the process of vaporising the air/fuel mixture before being burned in the engine.

2) Liquid Mixture Enhancers. These work on a similar principle of the Carburettor Mixture Enhancers but are in liquid form and mixed with your regular fuel.

3) Killer Wires. These are used in replacement of your ordinary spark plugs and are claimed to improve the spark by creating magnetic fields and so improve combustion.

4) Fuel Additives. Such as xylene which is added to your fuel tank along with your regular fuel to give you better fuel economy and get more MPG.

5) Water to Energy Converters. These are small Hydrogen Generators for cars and use electrolysis to produce Hydrogen Oxygen Gas which is mixed with your regular fuel mixture and results in a more efficient burning fuel.

These are just 5 of the devices that improve fuel economy and help you get more MPG. There are hundreds if not thousands more out there. As I mentioned before a lot of these are just scams and not all of them are going to work, but these 5 at least sound practical, and anything that could get more MPG for your car has got to be worth a try.

Scott Siegel asked:


Winter conditions put a tremendous strain on your car and on your driving. Winter also puts a strain on your fuel economy. In order to prevent a decrease in your fuel economy you need to be aware of some specific issues with regard to your car and your driving in the winter.

One of the two main characteristics of winter, cold temperatures, create conditions that lower your fuel economy. A car that is cold uses more fuel to start up than a warm car. The colder the car the more fuel it uses when it starts.

In cold weather, the engine of your car is harder to start. The oil in your car is thicker when it is cold and thus requires more energy to get it flowing. All the parts that are lubricated by this thicker oil require more energy to move them. More energy means that it will take more fuel to move the parts. Your engine will use more fuel to run until it warms up.

Cold temperatures also effect other parts of your car. The bearings, joints, transmission, power assisted brakes, and steering mechanisms will all require more energy to move them when they are cold. These mechanisms all depend on some fluids to operate. Like the engine oil these fluids will be thicker in cold weather and will require more energy to move them. Again that translates into more gas.

Other parts of your car will be stiff and may be frozen. Moisture in the air can condense and freeze on many car parts. Water from precipitation or from the road may have frozen on to part of the car. It will take more energy to move these parts. Wheel bearings, suspension systems and wheels themselves are some of the parts effected. The same applies, more energy needed to move these parts translates into more fuel burned and lower gas mileage.

Since your engine needs to overcome some temperature issues to lubricate itself in the cold you do need to give it a little longer to idle after starting than you would in the summer. But, I have to stress this, it only needs about 30 seconds of idling, no more. That little extra idling does affect your gas mileage.

Some things you can do to mitigate the affects of cold on gas mileage are: Park your car in a heated garage if available. Even a non heated garage may be warmer than leaving your car outside. It may be time to get rid of all the boxes in your garage and make room for your car.

Make sure you are using an oil that is recommended for your car in cold temperatures. The proper oil will flow better in cold weather thus reducing the amount of energy needed to start and run a cold engine.

In extreme cold climates an engine block heater will help keep the engine and oil warm thus avoiding a complete cold start. You will need a way to plug it in and keep it plugged in until you are ready to drive.

Don’t wast fuel warming your car when you start it. You only need about 30 seconds of idling to make sure the oil is flowing sufficiently in the engine. Excessive idling beyond 30 seconds will rob you of gas mileage faster than anything else. Let the car continue to warm up as you are driving.

Although winter and the cold temperatures that it brings can greatly reduce fuel economy you can minimize it’s affect. If you follow the simple steps outlined you can keep your gas mileage up at the level it should be.

Angulo Fu asked:


World’s Cheapest Car is Unveiled

After months of rumors and tantalizing leaks, Indian automaker Tata Motors has finally unveiled the Tata Nano — its already legendary $2,500 (1-lakh) car.

The words “Tata Nano” have nothing to do with tiny music players, but the car going by that name’s price and size are still nearly small enough to dance on the head of a pin.

As expected, the car that Tata claims will change the face of not only the Indian car market, but the global auto industry will be a four door, five seat hatch, powered by a 30 HP Bosch 624 cc four stroke engine mounted out back and mated to a CVT. That makes the Nano the first time a 2-cylinder gasoline engine will be used in a car with a single balancer shaft. The Nano’s also expected to get 54 US miles per gallon.

Background

Petrol price have successfully hit record levels after oil reached the $100 a barrel mark, sending financial shockwaves through world markets. Fuel economy is at the top of the list of factors shoppers consider when looking at a new vehicle. In face of this situation, more and more manufacturers began to focus on the fuel economy vehicle.

China’s Car Manufacturers

Actually, China’s car manufacturers are paying gigantic effort on the fuel economy vehicle and have got very big accomplishment.

China’s auto giant FAW has become involved in economy car production once it has controlling shares in Tianjin Automotive Xiali Co. (TAIC), the country’s major economy car producer. TAIC, which is based in the port city of Tianjin, north China, is capable of producing 230,000 cars, 270,000 engines and 10,000 large tractors annually, while FAW manufactured and sold about 1430,000 cars last year.

In 2007, China FAW Group Corp became the country’s first automaker to operate a plant in Mexico, as increasing domestic competition causes Chinese carmakers to seek sales in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. FAW’s Mexican plant is set to open in 2010 with a capacity of 100,000 fuel economy cars a year, according to the statement. Sales of imported cars had begun last year.

Chery, China’s largest independent carmaker and is specialized in fuel economy vehicle, expects to export 110,000 vehicles this year, predominately to the Middle East and Russia, Zhang Lin, general manager of Chery International, a division of the Wuhu-based automaker, said on November 15. The company will also build cars for Chrysler LLC.

Geely, the largest private car manufacturer in China, enter into South Africa is another milestone in her history. As the first overseas joint venture South Africa of Geely International, Geely SA will import and distribute Geely cars in South Africa. The first model will be introduced into SA is Geely CK, a kind of fuel economy cars.

Auto Car Trade Shows

Here are several famous Chinese auto car trade shows as follows:

China International Automobile Manufacturing Exposition

36,000 sqm of exhibition area will be available, and you will be exposed to:

- Over 800 exhibitors;

- Businesses from over 30 countries and regions;

- Over 8,000 business decision makers from 20 countries including the US, Asia and European participants;

- More than 20 high-level summits and procurement information release conferences will be held.

Auto Guangzhou, China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition

China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition started in 2003, which was positioned at “High Quality, Internationalization and Comprehensiveness”. On the basis of major support from Guangzhou Municipal Government, China’s 1/3 car consumer market, powerful car developing industry and the one of the best exhibition hall in Asia, it has become one of China’s famous automobile exhibitions after four years’ operation.

The 8th Dalian International Auto & Parts Exhibition

Dalian International Automotive Industry Exhibition is one of the exhibitions planned, initiated and fostered by Dalian People’s Government. Through this exhibition, Dalian People’s Government intends to build a free-trade, logistics and sales center of automobiles and to attract more auto projects and to provide an extensive market for the automotive and auto parts merchants from home and abroad.

China Leading B2B Marketplace

Made-in-China.com is a leading internet-based directory of China products & China Suppliers. Its rich resources have made it the best online platform for international trade between global buyers & China Suppliers.

Every day, Millions of global buyers find the most complete, high-quality, reliable and updated resources of China products and their suppliers through Made-in-China.com.

Fuel Economy Vehicle -Double-Edged Sword?

One aspect, the fuel economy car can cut down the fuel gas contamination and restrain oil price from going up. Besides, appearance of the fuel economy car makes the possession of a car become a reality for many families.

Another aspect, the trend would aggravate the urban traffic.