If improving the fuel economy of your truck or SUV is of importance to you, then you need to continue reading on. Hypermiling or "fuel efficient driving" is a term that was created by drivers who use certain driving techniques to greatly improve their gas mileage. Inside, I have composed a list of fifteen hypermiling techniques that will hopefully ease your pain at the pump. Check them out inside.
CBC announced that General Motors have made the decision to build hybrid pickup trucks at their Oshawa, Ontario plant this fall but are still on schedule to close the truck plant next year. "After careful consideration, GM has decided to launch the new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrid production operations at the Oshawa truck plant" stated GM spokesman Stew Low. Low also added during the conference "this does not impact the decision to cease operations at the plant in 2009 or sooner, depending on market conditions". The closure of the Ontario plant next year will also eliminate 2,600 jobs. No further details have been released.
The first public hydrogen refueling station in California with integrated hydrogen and gasoline refueling is now open, providing drivers in Chevrolet's Project Driveway another location to refuel their Equinox fuel cell vehicles, currently on the roads throughout Southern California. Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and Graeme Sweeney, Executive Vice President for Shell Future Fuels and CO2 were among those who participated in today's dedication ceremony. The station is the third Shell Hydrogen vehicle refueling stations in the U.S. as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen...
With gas prices about to hit a national average of $5 dollars per gallon, achieving better fuel economy numbers on your truck or SUV has never been more important to consumers in history than right now. Over the past couple of months here at Truckblog, I have posted a handful of articles relating to fuel saving information, aftermarket products, and tips to help increase your fuel economy. The following is a list of those blogs so you can check them out and start saving today.
I didn't know whether or not to make this story a "beerblog" this morning. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be debating next week about how to address the "concerns about the dangers the growing number of quiet-running hybrid vehicles and future electric cars present to visually impaired and blind pedestrians". That's right, advocates now want sound requirements for hybrid vehicles in order to prevent injuries due to their silent motors, although NO injuries have been reported to date.
As Chrysler LLC goes green, customers will save some “green.” Chrysler announced today that it is pricing its full-size 4x4 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) hybrid electric vehicles nearly $8,000 below the competition. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the new 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI® Hybrid is $45,340, including $800 for destination. The MSRP for the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid is $45,570, including $800 for destination. Additionally, customers are expected to receive an estimated tax credit of $1,800.
The question this morning is the same that was asked of Peter Gibbons by the Bob twins in "Office Space". "We're trying to get a feel for how people spend their day at work...so, if you would, would you walk us through a typical day, for you?". Peter then responds "Yeah, I just stare at my desk; but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch, too. I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work". Given you are reading this blog right now and happen to not be working at the moment, go ahead and check out our blogs from last week. Then during that hour after lunch ask yourself, how many minutes of actual work do I do?
Ford Motor Company broke new ground by delivering its first-ever flexible fuel capable plug-in hybrid SUV to the U.S. Department of Energy. The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, which runs on gasoline or E85, is part of a demonstration fleet Ford is developing in a partnership with Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute. Advanced testing on the vehicles is underway in California.
Torch Technologies are now selling their drive ByWire XGV (self-driving) Ford Escape hybrid SUV for just $89,000 to anyone who wants to expand it as a "research platform". The SUV, which won third place at the DARPA Urban Challenge, is loaded with vibration sensors, ports, cable harnesses, receiver modules and much more. Torch Technologies collaborated with Virginia Tech to research, design, and develop the self-driving SUV.
General Motors, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) announced today that they are joining forces to encourage drivers to follow their vehicle manufacturer's recommendations on oil changes, which for millions of GM vehicles could be much longer than the decades-old standard of 3,000 miles between changes. This summer, General Motors will support public outreach efforts by the Cal/EPA and the CIWMB to help motorists understand how frequently they need to change their engine oil, and the proper methods of doing so.
Have you threatened to quit your job because your desk has been relocated four times already this year? Just like Milton had experienced in "Office Space"? "I'm going to quit. And, and I told Don too, because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry..." If that is the case, we at Truckblog are truly sorry and to cheer you up, here is a list of last weeks "hot mess".
All models of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade will be able to run on either ordinary gasoline or E85 ethanol, or any combination of the two, General Motors announced Friday. And customers will have the fueling choice at no additional cost. The Escalade, Escalade EXT and Escalade ESV as well as the GMC Denali, join the previously announced 2009 Chevrolet HHR, Buick Lucerne and Hummer H2 and H2 SUT as additions to GM’s industry-leading flex-fuel lineup .
Popular gadget blog, Gizmodo, posted a very interesting concept by Origo Industries who are currently developing a CO2 recycling system that transforms (not like Optimus Prime though) your vehicle's emissions into re-usable fuel while driving.
If you find yourself living your life at work just like Peter Gibbons does in the movie "Office Space", and also have the following opinion: "We weren't meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about about mission statements", then stop what you're doing, and take a couple minutes to read through our blogs from last week.
Oh and by the way, how was Hawaiian shirt day last Friday? Did you remember to wear your shirt and jeans?
Is this not cool or what? Molson Coors Brewing Company, also known as Coors Brewing Company, will be the official E85 Ethanol Producer for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. What does that mean? Coors is converting their wasted beer that is lost in packaging or deemed "below quality standards", and are turning it into E85 ethanol gasoline to power your pickup truck, or in this case a fleet of vehicles for the convention. I think that deserves a whole round on the house! Press release inside.
Edmund's Inside Line is stating that Toyota Motor Corporation is developing a plethora of eight cylinder diesel engines that are "clean burning", for their popular full-size Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Expected to be in production by 2010, the Tundra diesel pickup truck will boast a predicted 7.0 liter diesel eight cylinder engine, as well as an upgraded 4.7 liter eight cylinder gasoline motor.
The USA Today are reporting that automakers have now developed new "low rolling resistance" tires that will aid in adding extra mileage out of your vehicle, even a few miles per gallon. Bridgestone President, Mike Martini, commented "They are putting much more emphasis on fuel economy than ever before...when it comes to picking tires". In previous years, gas-saving tires had been developed but generated little interest in the "cheap" fuel price days.
In an article by The Wallstreet Journal, Chrysler LLC may be trying to enter the United States market with their newly upgraded 2009 Dodge Ram at the wrong time, as pickup truck sales continue to fall drastically. Hoping to steal sales from their competition, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation, Dodge has completely re-designed their Ram pickup truck, but without a hybrid model coming till 2010, the light at the end of the tunnel of profitability, just got more dim.
While I am on the gasoline soap box this morning, GasBuddy.com is making it easier for consumers to find cheaper gas prices in your area by providing your zip code. GasBuddy operates off of a network of more than 181 gas price informational websites that are all in search of the cheapest price. GasBuddy claims to have "the most comprehensive listings of gas prices anywhere" as well. They even give you the option to submit your own cheap gasoline findings on their site. Click here to save a couple bucks in your neighborhood.
Did you get struck down last Friday by your boss making special requests for more work? Just like Peter Gibbons endured from his boss, Bill Lumbergh, in Office Space. "Oh, oh, and I almost forgot. Ahh, I'm also gonna need you to go ahead and come in on Sunday Monday, too...". If you're at work on this Memorial Day holiday, take a second to review last week's wrath of blogging. You're guaranteed to enjoy it.
"Oh and remember next Friday is Hawaiian shirt day. So, you know, if you want to, go ahead and wear a Hawaiian shirt and jeans."
Ford Motor Company is teaming up with the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, a division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, to help save lives while protecting the environment. Today, Ford presented the squad with the first 10 of a fleet of 45 eco-friendly Escape Hybrids with Intelligent four-wheel-drive, specially equipped for use on rescue patrol along 72 miles of Southern California coastline.
Chrysler LLC today extended to July 7 the Let’s Refuel America $2.99 gas guarantee program, which offers customers the opportunity to lock in their gasoline purchases at $2.99 a gallon for three years, up to 36,000 miles. The program was launched on May 7 for the month of May only, but extended for a second month in response to dealer and customer demand for additional time.
If you had problems around the work place last week trying to find your red Swingline stapler, just like Milton Waddams from the movie "Office Space", and you did not get the chance to check out "The Blog" until today, the following list is of our top stories from last week.
Also, make sure you are not late again, otherwise you will be summarily dismissed.
GM Powertrain Europe’s comprehensive Tech Show provides answers about how cars will be propelled in the future. As part of the global GM Powertrain organization, GM Powertrain Europe has global responsibility for small diesel engines, diesel control systems, small gasoline engines and manual transmissions. Its footprint encompasses 15 facilities in 7 European countries, employing 9,000 people and producing on average more than 17,000 engines and transmissions per day.
Daimler AG has signed a large "green" contract with United Parcel Service Inc, whom ordered 200 hybrid electric vehicles and 300 natural gas vehicles. The deal would make the value of each vehicle slightly over $100,000 USD, totaling more than $50 million. The fuel efficient and enviornmentally friendly trucks will be built by Daimler Truck of North America's Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation division.
A new powertrain lineup, with a more powerful and fuel-efficient 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission, leads the list of enhancements for the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models. Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, the popular compact SUVs, boast better fuel economy, thanks to a combination of the new engine and fuel-saving six-speed transmission. Other fuel-efficiency measures, such as refined aerodynamics and new low-rolling-resistance tires, also enhance fuel economy while contributing to a quieter, more refined cabin environment.
Mike Levine has posted an analysis of engine configurations for General Motors pickup trucks, equipped with either gasoline, diesel or hybrid setups. Choosing the right power train can be confusing, especially when it comes to fuel efficiency and gas mileage. Click here to check out his report.
According to Pickuptrucks, Ford is working on a new F-100 series mid-size pickup truck that would share the new F-150 platform and possibly replace the Ford Ranger. The new pickup is expected to arrive by 2011 and it is believed that the truck will feature Ford's new EcoBoost twin turbo gasoline direct injection V6 engine, or possible 4.4 liter V8 diesel which is expected for the 2010 F-150. Either way, it's all just speculation, as no official word has come from Ford yet.
The United States Supreme Court has approved a $4.3 million dollar law suit from Paice LLC of McLean, Virginia, against Toyota Motor Corporation for patent infringement of their hybrid technology (oops!). The violation at hand involves a micro processing unit that translates torque information from the hybrid gasoline motor to it's electric counter part. This hybrid technology, known as "Hybrid Synergy Drive", is used in the Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander, and Lexus RX400h SUV's. The justices over ruled Toyota's appeal, and Toyota may have to pay Paice royalties from future vehicle sales. Reported by Detroit News.
Just like the scene from Office Space when Dom Portwood asks Peter if he received the memo about his TPS reports, today I ask you Truckblog fans, did you get that memo from last week about Truckblog TV and our other huge stories? If you didn't, below is a list of our top blogs from last week for you to read this Monday morning. "So if you could just remember to do that from now on, that'd be great. All right!".
Today's gem of "The Internets", which happens to be a perfect heavy weight contender for our weekly Friday Beerblog, is of an extremely unhealthy individual that decided to drive their "old fart cart" through the drive-thru window of a Wendy's fast food restaurant. It is very obvious in the photograph that when you're too fat, even your hybrid car will hate you, or, you are simply fed up with the current price of gas standing at $3.61, according to the EIA. Either way, it made for a good chuckle this morning.
With rising gas prices, today’s car buyers admit fuel efficiency and diversity is not just a necessity, it’s also fashion forward. If Americans had to choose between driving a car that was beautiful on the outside vs. one that was “greener” on the inside, nearly eight in 10 Americans (79 percent) who plan to buy or lease a car within the next two years would choose the greener car. These and more compelling statistics are a result of a national survey recently conducted by Challenge X – a national collegiate engineering competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors.
Scott Burgess of the Detroit News recently test drove the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and wrote a review, stating the new hybrid SUV has great fuel mileage ratings, ratings that are "on par with '09 Camry", a hybrid sedan in a seperate vehicle class and nearly 3,000 pounds lighter. "The Tahoe Hybrid hits the same city mileage as a four-cylinder 2009 Toyota Camry. Its 21 mpg (on the two-wheel drive model) is even 2 mpg better than a Camry with a V-6". Powered by a six liter V8 with a hybrid system that includes two electric motors running on 300-volt system, the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid tips the scale at over $52,000. Is the price really worth it? Find out inside.
In response to direct customer feedback citing the prospect of rising gas prices as a top concern, Chrysler LLC today announces its own economic stimulus package: an exclusive gas price protection policy that eliminates the risk of further spikes in fuel prices. With the U.S. purchase of eligible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, customers can enroll in the “Let’s Refuel America” program and receive a gas card that immediately lowers their gas price to $2.99 a gallon, and keeps it there for three years. The offer is available at 3,511 U.S. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008, and is available on vehicles ranging from popular new compacts, crossovers and minivans to full-size diesel-powered pickup trucks.
General Motors Corp.'s revolutionary new 4.5L V-8 Duramax turbo-diesel, which makes its debut in Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty trucks in the 2010 model year, is compact, powerful and fuel-efficient. The engine also is lighter, an important consideration in the competitive light truck market, because it was designed with more than 70 fewer parts. The new dual-overhead cam, four-valve V-8 diesel engine boasts a number of innovative design approaches that have enabled its compact size and mass, including integral aluminum cylinder head exhaust manifolds, integral cam cover intake manifolds and a narrow V-angle block.
General Motors Corp. and Mascoma Corp. today announced a strategic relationship to develop cellulosic ethanol focused on Mascoma's single-step biochemical conversion of non-grain biomass into low-carbon alternative fuels to help address increasing energy demand. The relationship, which includes an undisclosed equity investment by GM, complements an earlier investment in a cellulosic ethanol startup that uses a thermo-chemical process to make ethanol from non-grain sources.
