It's calculated that the average motor vehicle consumes about 700 gallons of fuel each year, producing an average of 14,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. That's about one pound for each mile driven. And what if your vehicle is running poorly and even leaking? That number can double!

With today's crude oil prices, it just makes sense to get the most out of the fuels and petroleum by-products you buy.

What is Less "Fuel-ish" About Fuel Ethanol?
Fuel ethanol is a high-octane, water free alcohol produced from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch. It is traditionally used as a blending ingredient at 5%-10% concentrations in gasoline or as a raw material to produce high-octane fuel ether additives. A 10% blend requires no engine modification while making a contribution to reducing emissions. Anything more than 10% requires engine modification. Ethanol is made primarily from grains or other renewable agricultural and agroforestry feedstocks. Depending on the milling process, 1 bushel of grain can produce from 10.0 to 10.5 quarts of ethanol. This blending process of ethanol and gasoline is also good for the economy by producing jobs and farmers profit with the grain they grow which will help reduce the demand for foreign oil.

Click on the button for an Eco-Auto radio show.

Biodiesel Fuels Gaining Ground
Why should I use biodiesel?
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. Biodiesel pumps (pictured at right) will soon be accessable throughout the country.

Exactly what is a Biodiesel Fuel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel.

For more information on biodiesel fuels Click here.

Here are some Eco-Auto Tips to keep
your vehicle more Frog Friendly®.

Believe it or not, your car releases it's own weight in carbon dioxide each year. Using oxygenated or Ethanol fuel will reduce it.

High-octane fuels use more crude oil to produce. Using it in your vehicle does not necessarily increase the engines performance. So, unless your owners manual recommends using high-octane fuel use the lower octane fuel.

For every gallon of gas your car burns, a gallon of water is formed. As emissions go, there are obviously worse substances than water. But when it condenses inside your engine it contaminates your oil. Another good reason to change your oil and filter as recommended in your owner's manual.

Does your car smell like rotten eggs? Try these tips.
Add a bottle of an emissions system cleaner at your next fuel up.
Have your engine timing checked.
Avoid full throttle acceleration.
Have a technician calibrate your engine's computer.

Doctors tell their patients to open their mouths and say "Ah" looking for clues to their condition. If you are looking for clues to your car's engine health then let it cool and look inside the tail pipe. Ideally, it should be coated with a powdery, light grey-brown substance. If it's any other color, it's time for a check-up before it gets worse.

Do you have problems with back pressure? If your car seems to be loosing power as it accelerates, but runs fine at high speed you could have a plugged catalytic converter, causing too much back pressure in you exhaust system. Have it replaced for better mileage and less pollution.

The fuel filter on your car is designed to prevent dirt and other contaminants from fouling the fuel system components. Yet when neglected, a fuel filter can actually harm those components. A dirty filter can not only effect your engine's performance and efficiency but can lead to early fuel pump failure. So replacing the gas filter should be part of the regular engine tune-up.

Car Exhaust Health Effects