Consider the Alternatives:

Written by Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.


Considerrepparttar Alternatives: By Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.

Alternative Fueled Vehicles and Alternative Vehicle Fuels

Driving a car fueled by something other than gasoline or diesel fuel is no longerrepparttar 145266 stuff of science fiction. In addition to conventional gasoline and diesel fuel, reformulated - cleaner - gasoline and alternative fuels now are sold in many parts ofrepparttar 145267 country. Alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electricity produce fewer tail pipe pollutants than conventional gasoline and diesel fuel. Using them could improve our air quality.

In 1992, Congress passedrepparttar 145268 Energy Policy Act to promoterepparttar 145269 use of alternative fuels. For example,repparttar 145270 law requires owners of fleet vehicles to purchase a certain number of alternative fueled vehicles. Congress also directedrepparttar 145271 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue labeling requirements for alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles. Two FTC Rules -repparttar 145272 Alternative Fuels and Vehicles (AFV) Rule andrepparttar 145273 Fuel Rating Rule - require fuel dispensers and alternative fueled vehicles to be labeled with information to help consumers make knowledgeable decisions when it comes to filling up or buying a vehicle. The AFV Rule applies to new and used alternative fueled vehicles that are sold to consumers or leased to consumers for a minimum of 120 days. This Article explainsrepparttar 145274 labels you'll see on alternative fueled vehicles and alternative fuel dispensers, and suggests several important factors to consider as you investigaterepparttar 145275 options.

Alternative Fueled Vehicles:

AFVs are vehicles that operate on alternative fuels, such as methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, and others designated byrepparttar 145276 U.S. Department of Energy. Some AFVs can run on conventional fuels, such as gasoline, and alternative fuels. They are called dual-fueled vehicles.

The required labels must be placed in plain view onrepparttar 145277 surface of all new and used AFVs. The labels on new AFVs must includerepparttar 145278 vehicle's cruising range as estimated byrepparttar 145279 manufacturer and its environmental impact, as well as general descriptive information. It's important to know how many miles your new AFV will travel on a supply of fuel because, gallon for gallon, some AFVs don't travel as far as gasoline-powered vehicles. The label's description ofrepparttar 145280 Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) emission standard forrepparttar 145281 vehicle tells you to what extentrepparttar 145282 vehicle produces emissions. If a vehicle meets an EPA emissions standard, a box onrepparttar 145283 label will be marked and a caret (^) will be placed aboverepparttar 145284 particular vehicle's certification standard. The label showsrepparttar 145285 levels of emissions standards in a series of boxes that range from a "Tier l" vehicle - one with more emissions - to a "ZEV" - a zero emissions vehicle. The labels on new and used AFVs also advise consumers to considerrepparttar 145286 following items before buying or leasing an AFV.

Fuel type. Ask what kind of fuel powersrepparttar 145287 vehicle.

Operating costs. Fuel and maintenance costs for AFVs may differ from gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles.

Performance/convenience. Vehicles powered by different fuels vary in their ability to start when they are cold; their acceleration rates;repparttar 145288 time it takes to completely refillrepparttar 145289 vehicle's tank; and how they are refueled.

Fuel availability. Find out whether refueling or recharging facilities are available in your area forrepparttar 145290 fuelrepparttar 145291 vehicle uses.

Energy security/renewability. Consider where and howrepparttar 145292 fuel poweringrepparttar 145293 vehicle is produced so you can anticipate long-term fuel availability at a reasonable price.

These labels also must include additional sources of information fromrepparttar 145294 federal government: The Department of Energy maintains a toll-free National Alternative Fuels Hotline to answer questions about alternative fuels, give information aboutrepparttar 145295 availability of alternative fuels in a particular area, and suggest more sources of information about alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's toll-free hotline offers information about safety related automobile issues.

Water contamination - the enemy of your automotive air tools

Written by Jason Miller


Water contamination isrepparttar great enemy to your prized impact wrench and other expensive air tools. The common misconception is that if you just drainrepparttar 145265 air supply tank in your air compressor of excess water, you are protecting your air tool from water damage. While draining your air supply tank is good, you are only preventing rust damage inrepparttar 145266 tank. The air outlet is generally atrepparttar 145267 top ofrepparttar 145268 tank andrepparttar 145269 water inrepparttar 145270 bottom doesn't make it up there to damage your impact wrench. How then does water get into your air lines and then to your air tool? The answer is condensation.

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