? Toyota Auris HSD Driving Performance

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Driving the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: how to maximize mileage

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan. Fusion Hybrid is certified at 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Learn how to make the most of your hybrid.

Driving in New York….

A short clip of me driving a big American (hire car) in heavy, slow moving North Manhattan traffic whilst listening to a local radio show. I was over for work and decided to drive across to Queens from Newark – madness. At the end is a small sighting of a Honda Insight hybrid car amongst the gas guzzlers.

Prius Driving Lessons by DR. Romanazzi

How to obtain the maximum gas mileage out of your Prius, Demonstrated by DR. Romanazzi.

Electric car conversion by ACPropulsion — everyday driving of a real EV

The red GOLF was was converted to then-state-of-the-art spiral wound Optima batteries by ACPropulsion. Conversion was a team effort, with Paul Carosa doing much of the design and construction. Alan Cocconi was the chief designer of the the Gen I drive system and Battery Optimizer modules. Dave Sivertsen did the battery optimizer controller. This is probably the most sophisticated lead-acid battery management system ever devised, with individual module-level monitoring of sealed spiral-wound lead-acid batteries that are still available today. Of course, the best module-level Battery Management System is not quite as good as the cell-level monitoring of the (successor) T-zero and then eBox, a system now used on the banked Lithium cells in the Tesla Roadster. While the Tesla might be considered the third-generation EV1, the Red Car could be considered the second-generation, perhaps a test article among that pack, and thus has a place in automotive history. On the video, the Red Car is compared with two Toyota RAV4-EV, which have over 100 miles range using NiMH nickel batteries produced prior to the Chevron lawsuit’s shutting down production (Nov., 2002). But, really, lead-acid is the best choice for the daily commute; the lead-acid EV1, upgraded to PSB 1260 batteries, had a range over 100 miles, more than enough for the daily grind even if you didn’t plug-in while working. The weight of the battery pack, 1300 lbs., in contrasted with the Tesla’s 1000 lb. pack, and it’s not …

The Benefits Of Owning And Driving A Truck Or SUV And Get Good Fuel Efficiency With The New Hybrids

Depending on how old you are, you may remember the good old days, when you pulled into a gas station and someone came outside to help you. There you sat, comfortably behind the wheel, while the gas attendant filled your car with gas, (requested by gallons and not dollars), checked your oil, cleaned your windshield and thanked you for your patronage. You never worried about what type of weather it was, because you didn’t have to get out of the car to pump your gas. The attendant did it for you, so your clothes would stay as fresh as they were when you left the house. You could fill up your tank, hand over a ten dollar bill and actually get change back.

Unfortunately for everyone, those days are over. Now you sit in line behind other harried customers at the gas station and have to get out of the car, go inside to pay for the gas if you don’t want to use your credit card, then come back out and pump the gas yourself. Now people no longer say they want ten gallons of gas. That’s been changed to ten dollars worth of gas, if you please, and you clean your own windshields and check your own oil. Hopefully you won’t drip gas on your clothes or stain your hands when checking the oil level in your car.

When SUVs came on the market, it seemed like everyone just had to have one. Thanks to the cool commercials showing drivers zipping through Arctic weather or driving over treacherous terrain, they seemed just too cool to pass up. It became a status symbol to drive one, even though many of those who bought them lived in the suburbs where there was no danger of rough terrains and unpaved roads.

Now that the cost of gas has skyrocketed, many of those same people that drove their SUVs home from the dealership with a huge grin on their face, are now sobbing when its time to go to the gas station. These gas guzzlers now put a huge dent in their paychecks and no longer seem as attractive as they once did.

SUV and truck manufacturers recognized the need to produce vehicles that did not consume so much of the owner’s salary just to fuel it. They have come out with a line of Hybrid SUVs and trucks that are just as attractive as the other models but much more fuel efficient. Ford has presented the Escape Hybrid, Lexus is competing with its RX400 and Toyota has come out with its Highlander Models.

If you still want to drive an SUV, but not worry about the potential of filing for bankruptcy due to expensive fueling, then consider one of the Hybrid SUVs and trucks on the market. Your wallet will thank you.

Driving a hybrid!

Driving a Toyota Camry hybrid car Saturday, October 18th, 2008.

Eco Friendly Driving

Driving your car can be costly for both your wallet and the environment but there are things you can do to reduce both these costs. Choosing a more environmentally friendly car with low fuel consumption and less emission is one way but if you can’t afford to change your car right now then you can lower the costs of driving just by changing the way that you drive. Follow a few simple tips and you can reduce the amount of fuel your car consumes leaving you with more money in your pocket. Start by leaving the engine off until you are ready to leave.

When the engine is on and left idling it burns fuel and produces toxic emissions. When you get the car on the move try and keep the car going all the time as stopping and starting will increase fuel consumption. In addition try and change up a gear as soon as is possible to avoid laboring the engine. Doing this can make a big different to fuel consumption which is why manufacturers are now looking to install Gear Shift indicators which is a clever system that results in a light going on whenever a gear change is required.

According to the Department of transport driving at higher speeds such as 70mph uses up to 25% more fuel than driving at 50mph, so keep to the speed limits and you will help keep your costs low. Sticking to the speed limits will also help reduce accidents on the roads which in turn should help keep your motor insurance costs down.

If you want to see how much you can reduce your emissions by then it is a good idea to measure your average fuel consumption. Some cars are fitted with an onboard computer that calculates this measurement for you. It will give you a figure based on miles per gallon (MPG) which you should make a note of and then aim to lower. If your car does not have this facility then you can work out your average fuel consumption over a period of time by taking the following steps.

Firstly write down your current mileage and fill up your tank, taking note of how many liters of fuel you need to fill up. Drive as you normally would until you need to refuel, and then make a note of how many miles you have driven. Then divide the total mileage since you first filled up your car by the number of litres of fuel you filled up with. Multiply this amount by 4.546 to get the figure for miles per gallon. Next use the tips above to alter you driving habits and work out the figures again to see if you can reduce your average fuel consumption. You may be pleasantly surprised leaving your wallet and the environment in a better state.

10 Tips for driving a hired car around Malta

Malta is one of the most popular tourist destinations for summer holidays and car hire is affordable and practical. Driving around Malta in your own transport allows you take benefit of the fact that the island offers a lot of places of interest in close proximity. Hiring a car will help you avoid unnecessary trips to and from and you’ll be able to do much more with your precious holiday time.

Driving in Malta is a unique experience and there are a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to hire a car on your Malta holiday. Although the core information provided in these tips is correct, they are slightly exaggerated and should by no means be taken as discouraging you from hiring a car. Driving in Malta is fun, but more so if you know what to expect!
Warning – Parts of this article are purely fictional. If you have a sense of humour you’ll be able to detect the bits I made up.

1. Left hand drive

When you ask the Maltese on what side of the road they drive, they’ll usually tell you “On the shady side” or “On the side that doesn’t have potholes”. The expected answer to that question is actually “On the left hand side”. Malta used to be a British colony (up until its independence in 1964) and has therefore adapted the left hand drive system and Highway Code.

2. Vehicles with priority

Although the Maltese adopted much of the Highway Code used in the United Kingdom, the rules are interpreted differently by many drivers in Malta. That’s not unique to Malta really, but perhaps these creative interpretations are more noticeable there. The rule most often ignored is who is given the right of way. Right of way is actually given according to vehicle size. If you hire a pick-up truck, you’ll have a significant advantage over other road users. If, however, a yellow monstrosity (public transport bus) crosses your path play it safe and apply the brakes. The same goes for private coaches, lorries and so-called mini-buses (red Ford Transit vans used for private transport).

3. Budget vs comfort

If you’re the type of person who tends to go for budget when on holiday, please reconsider when it comes to car hire. Yes, you can hire a cheap car that’s decent but there is one important luxury you will not want to pass up on during the summer months: Air conditioning. Maltese summers are HOT, which is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and chilling by the beach, but not so much for driving. You will want A/C!

4. Navigating your Moonlander

Maltese roads reach to all parts of the island and there are plenty of shortcuts around, with plenty of tarmac having been laid over the years. HOWEVER, the quality of the roads is well below par. It’s so bad in some parts that vibrations felt in the car can turn milk into butter. Some surfaces will make Neil Armstrong reminisce of his times spent on lunar landscapes. Seriously – Although the roads aren’t quite up to scratch with European standards, they are not dangerous to drive on.

5. Parking in abundance

Space is limited in Malta, while there are practically as many cars as people living on the island. That means in some areas trying to find parking is a bit of an adventure. Problem areas in summer are Sliema, St. Julian’s, St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra.

6. Parking skills

If the mere mention of parallel parking means you’re on the brink of a panic fit, perhaps you might want to hire a driver to come with the car on your Malta holiday. Parking bays are the exception to the rule of pavement side parking. Surprisingly, exchanging paint is not something that happens often in Malta.

7. Picking up a few words in Maltese

The Maltese are very expressive, and more so when behind a steering wheel and in situations where they believe they have the right of way (but where they don’t). If you were thinking of picking up some Maltese on your holiday in Malta and you’ll hire a car, this is a very easy way doing so. It won’t be the kind of vocabulary to boast about back home, however.

8. Know where you’re going

There’s nothing more frustrating than going for a drive in a place you’re not familiar with and getting lost. Actually, getting hit by another car is probably worse. Pre-plan your trips to avoid being in doubt in the middle of the road. Do not depend on road signage and save yourself the embarrassment of getting lost on an island that barely measures 20 miles in length.

9. Beware of the men in green

As  mentioned before, Maltese drivers tend to interpret the rules of the road very liberally. A couple of years ago the Maltese government figured it would be the perfect opportunity to earn a little extra cash. The result? Local wardens going around in villages sporting a green uniform and handing out fines left right and centre. As long as you abide by parking rules (avoiding any parking slot that is marked by yellow lines), you should be fine though.

10. Avoid public transport

It’s a scientifically proven fact that time passes slower when you travel by bus in Malta. Whereas prolonging your holiday is something you’d probably be all for, this is definitely not the way to do so. Alright, if you prefer a cheap solution nothing beats a Maltese bus, but depending on public transport in Malta means you’ll be wasting time on a bus stop and in transit.

Malta car hire

Don’t be worried too much by these tips – Driving in Malta is fun and not expensive at all. Shop around for good prices and you’ll find a bargain to suit your budget.

For more information on cheap car hire in Malta, visit the Malta travel guide GuideToMalta.net. Find out more about Malta, Maltese people, Malta car hire and Malta holidays.

ItaliaspeedTV – Shell & Ferrari: how the new refuelling regulations have changed driving styles

As the first races of the 2010 calendar showed, the new refuelling regulations have impacted on the driving style and strategies of Formula One drivers and teams. Engine efficiency is now just as important as producing maximum power throughout the race. In this video, Felipe Massa (Official Driver, Scuderia Ferrari) and Fernando Alonso (Official Driver, Scuderia Ferrari) take viewers through their modified driving techniques and the devices in the cockpit which control fuel usage. The video explores the importance of fuel efficiency in the race and how optimising fuel performance impacts the race strategy. Massa and Alonso also provide insight into the work Scuderia Ferrari has been doing with Shell to optimise fuel consumption. Felipe Massa explains the challenges of driving a Formula One car which changes weight dramatically between the start and the end of the race, whilst Rob Smedley (Race Engineer, Scuderia Ferrari) explains how different car set-ups affect fuel consumption. Other key team members such as Dave Salters (Head of Engine Development, Scuderia Ferrari) and Lisa Lilley (Shells Technology Manager for Ferrari) explain how Shells technical partnership with Ferrari could provide the edge for the Scuderia in 2010. Shell works hand in hand with Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One to develop the optimum Shell Helix Ultra lubricant and Shell V-Power racing fuel to meet the challenges of the 2010 season and transfer this experience to benefit millions of motorists all …

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