What IS Ethanol anyway?

What is Ethanol Fuel?

Wikipedia:
Ethanol

1. systematic chemical name for ethyl alcohol

2. An alternative fuel derived from corn, grains or agricultural waste or chemically extracted from ethylene.

     Raise your hand if you don't really understand what ethanol is or where it comes from. Ok, no worries.
Let's start at the beginning.  First of all, ethanol fuel is ethyl alcohol, the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is most often used as motor fuel, mainly as a biofuel additive for gasoline. Ethanol fuel has a "gasoline gallon equivalency" value of 1.4 US gallons which means 1.5 gallons of ethanol produce the energy of one gallon of gasoline. A gallon of E85, a common blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, contains about 71 percent as much energy as a gallon of unblended gasoline.  So drivers can expect about 15 percent less fuel economy than they would with conventional gasoline.

     Most cars on the road today in the U.S. can run on blends of up to 10% of ethanol and ethanol represented 10% of the U.S. gasoline fuel supply derived from domestic sources in 2011.

    Bioethanol is a form of quasi-renewable energy that is produced from common crops such as corn, sugar cane, potato, and manioc. E10 (also called "gasohol") is a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline sold in many parts of the country.  E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15 percent gasoline can be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) which are specially designed to run on gasoline, E85, or any mixture of the two.  FFVs are offered by several vehicle manufacturers.

     There has been considerable debate about how useful bioethanol will be in replacing gasoline.  Concerns about its production and use relate to increased food prices due to large amounts or arable land required for crops, as well as the energy and pollution balance of the whole cycle of ethanol production, especially from corn.  Recent development of cellulosic ethanol production and commercialization are thought to possibly these concerns.

Cost: Cost of ethanol varies regionally. It is cheaper than gasoline in some ares, such as the Midwest, and more expensive in others.

Availabilty:  More than two thousand filling stations in the U.S. sell E85, and that number is increasing rapidly.

Performance:  No noticeable difference in vehicle performance when E85 is used.

MPG: FFVs operating on E85 usually experience a 25-30 percent drop in miles per gallon.

   I feel it is important to understand what ethanol is before you can subjectively debate it's pros and cons.
For more information visit the websights below.

http://http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/ethanol-http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/biofuels/biofuels-text








   

     

9 STEPS TO GET YOUR CAR READY FOR WINTER

Like it or not, winter will come in Minnesota,  and with that the snow and frigid cold that we all conveniently forget about until it is upon us every year. Winterizing your car is essential to surviving a Minnesota winter.
Make sure you can rely on your car to transport you and your family safely in all weather conditions. Why take the risk? Be proactive. Make sure your car is mechanically sound before Old Man Winter comes.

1. Clean your vehicle inside and out. Have the body of your car washed and waxed. This preventive measure will protect the paint surfaces from snow and salt erosion and will also make the ice and snow easier to brush off.

Since you will be in your car with the windows up and the heat on for the next 6 months, do yourself a  favor and give your car a thorough cleaning ASAP. Remove any garbage that has collected over the summer and vacuum the seats and the floors. Dust the dash, wash the windows and clean the upholstery. To prevent that stale air/wet dog smell consider replacing the cabin air filter and then hang an organic air freshener. An organic dryer bag of lavender from Trader Joe's under the seat is my favorite. You may also want  to remove your carpeted floor mats and replace them with a set a water resistant vinyl or rubber mats for the winter.

2. Make sure you can see!  A winter storm is the worst time to run out of windshield washer fluid or to discover your blades aren't wiping the windshield properly. Wiper blades generally last about 6 months.  Since visibility is a key ingredient to safety, be sure to invest in some new ones if needed. Make sure the washer fluid is good to -20 (Windex is not an option) Never use plain water. It will freeze all over your windshield and make a terrible mess.

3.  Ensuring your heating system is working properly should be a #1 priority. While a functioning heater and defroster are important because they keep your windshield nice and clear,, they also offer you shelter from the cold. Trust me, you do not want to be trapped in a cold car in the months to come! Also, check to ensure your rear window defroster is working properly.

4. Give your battery some TLC.  A battery give little notice before it dies, and very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicles battery power by up to 50 percent.  If you have not replaced your battery in the last 3 years,  have the battery tested when you take your car in to get winterized.  Have them check that the battery posts and connections are free of corrosion. No one wants to be stranded with a dead battery in the winter cold!!

5. Belts and hoses. While they are testing the battery, make sure they inspect the belts and hoses for wear and tear - Even if you're driving a newer car. The belts and hoses and hoses in modern cars lead longer lives, but that doesn't mean they don't die.  Cold weather is hard on everything, so make sure to give them some attention, too.

6.  Tires.  Do you need to be reminded that the tires are the only parts of your car that touch the ground? Having good winter tires on your car is the most important thing you can do to insure the next 6 months of winter driving are worry free. The condition of your tires is critical during the winter.  Braking, acceleration and handling are all impacted while driving on slippery roads. Give yourself an edge with great winter tires!

Tire pressure is also important in the winter.  Since traction is compromised due to wet or snowy conditions, it is critical to have properly inflated tires. In lower temperatures the air pressure is cold tires will drop. Why? Because air is a gas, and gas contracts when it gets cold and expands with heat. As an added bonus,  having full and balanced tires can save you 2-3 miles per gallon of gas!

7.  Antifreeze. Make sure to get the mixture just right.  The ideal cocktail of coolant to water inside your vehicle radiator is 50/50.  This will prevent the antifreeze from freezing in ridiculously cold temperatures that occur every winter in Minnesota.  Antifreeze is very important to your engine. It cools the engine, protects it from freezing and is the key agent to providing toasty heat in your car

8.  Prepare an emergency kit.  Even the most meticulously maintained vehicle can develop problems on the road, especially in the winter.  That's when it pays to be prepared for an emergency and keep in mind it is essential if you are taking a road trip!

9.  Your Winter Survival Kit Should Include:

• A spare tire with air in it
• Extra windshield washer fluid and paper  towels
• Tire changing equipment
• A bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter to provide traction if your car gets stuck in the snow.
• A flashlight
• A first aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Blanket and extra warm clothes including gloves, hats and boots
• A snow brush with a scraper and a shovel
• High protein, non perishable foods such as protein bars, nuts, raisins and water
• Emergency flares

What Causes Car Fires?

   

 

 Just yesterday, I was driving to the airport and noticed that the westbound traffic was at a standstill. Up ahead, past a sea of oncoming cars, and flashing emergency lights, I saw a cloud of billowing ugly black smoke.
The huge car fire that I soon passed seemed to be the result of an SUV rear ending a small sports car. It was simply terrifying to witness.

So what causes car fires?

 AAA and the National Fire Protection Association states that there are over 200,000 car fires every year or on average 31 highway vehicle fires per hour! "The risk of a car or vehicle fire is even greater than the risk of an apartment fire. More people die in vehicle fires than in apartment fires each year in the United States, " said AAA President Robert Darblenet.

Surprisingly, 75 percent of car fires are not caused by accidents, but by poor maintenance. One horrific example was a mechanical problem which caused a limousine to ignite killing 5 nurses in California.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/19/20093744-horrific-limo-fire-that-killed-5-california-nurses-was-accidental-say-investigators?lite

There are at least six flammable fluids under the hood of your car that can leak onto hot surfaces and start a fire. So fuel lines, hoses, caps and filters should be checked and maintained to prevent leaks.

If a car catches on fire, experts say, most injuries and deaths can be avoided by moving 100 feet away. Firefighters advise NEVER opening the hood to fight the inferno yourself because it only feeds oxygen to the flames, making a car fire even more dangerous.

To reduce the risk of a vehicle fire, AAA makes these recommendations:

*Have your vehicles inspected at least annually by a trained, professional technician. At Leighton's Garage, these inspections are free of charge with any routine maintenance.

*Watch for fluid leaks under vehicles, cracked or blistered hoses or wires that are loose. Have any of these conditions inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

*Be alert to changes in the way your vehicles sounds when running, or to a visible plume of exhaust coming from the tailpipe. Louder than usual exhaust tone, smoke coming from the tailpipe or a backfiring exhaust could mean problems or damage to the exhaust and emission control system on the vehicle. Have your vehicle inspected and repaired as soon as possible if you suspect a problem.

*Drive according to posted speed limits ad traffic rules. Remain alert to changing road conditions at all times.



www.leightonsgarage.com
http://abcnew.go.come/Business/Autos

Running Out Of Gas While On The Road- What A Nightmare

What To Do When You Run Out Of Gas

     I've been lucky because I am one of those people who push their car as far as I can after the fuel indicator light comes on. Most of the time we do this because we're in a hurry to get somewhere and believe we can make it without stopping for gas. Unfortunately, the majority of vehicles that run out of gas, do so at the MOST inconvenient time and location.

     As a general rule, you should keep a quarter tank of gas in your car at all times. If your vehicle is equipped with a low fuel gauge, make sure you heed the warning, because it is not merely a reminder that you need to fill up soon, but an indicator that you need to stop at the nearest gas station ASAP.

     If you run out of gas in the middle of the road, the first thing to do is get over to the side. If you feel the car losing power, put your flashers on and get over. If there is absolutely no gas left and your car has stopped, the vehicle will need to be pushed to the side. Be careful. Many accidents happen in instances just like this.

     While it's true that running out of gas does not typically cause problems with your vehicle, it is possible that your fuel pump could fail as a result of running out of fuel. Without fuel running to the pump it can seize up. Just one more reason to keep fuel in your tank and avoid replacing your expensive electronic fuel pump!

     You should make sure that when you travel, your cell phone is charged and in your car in case of this and any other kind of emergency. After your car is safely off the road call for a towing service.

 www.leightonsgarage.com