The issues that flash though your mind range from fear of losing your job to how am I going to pay for whatever is wrong with this car. You may have discussed buying a new car and even shopped around on the internet looking for that perfect vehicle, but in the end you realized that this was not a good time.

But as the tow truck leaves with your car in tow, the realization that something has to be done sets in.  It’s been a good car, but the tow truck driver told you that it was not the battery, he wasn’t sure but he didn’t think it was the alternator either, it could be a computer problem, and that just sounds too expensive.

Trying to figure out what to do in a case like this brings up a few problems.  Do you fix the car or look for a new or used car?  If you fix it, do you keep it and wait until something else happens or do you try to trade it in as it is?  These are serious questions that don’t have to be answered by you; there are those with more experience to help.

The expert auto dealer may be your best friend.  They can tell you up front what it would cost to buy and finance a newer car, tell you what you can expect for your older vehicle and help you decide if the financial obligations fall within your budget.  Calling experts from your local dealership can be a great source of information.  Whether you decide to buy or not, calling a local dealer and asking for promos like Sport Durst Hyundai specials can give you options that you may not have even considered.

Larger groups specialize in helping those with difficult automotive decisions; they can even help with financing.  Also many larger automotive groups have an extensive selection of pre-owned cars and trucks with many that are moderately priced.

One distinct advantage of buying from a reputable dealer is the time and effort they spend in ensuring the cars they sell are of a high quality.  There are a few things to consider when deciding when to buy and what to buy.  First, it must fit within your financial limits.  Regardless of how nice a car is, the fun of owning a car you can’t afford fades very quickly.  Second, buy a car that is functional to your needs and family.

Third, when deciding if you should buy or replace an older car the costs of current repairs and potential future repairs must be factored in as a deciding consideration.  If you can maintain your present car for less than a new or pre-owned car payment, it’s probably not a good idea to buy, not yet anyway.

This may be the perfect time to start looking.  Start doing your homework. Call a few reputable dealers and see what’s available and compare the cost of buying with maintaining; you may be surprised at how inexpensive it is to rid yourself of the worry of having to sit behind the wheel of your non starting car.

Michelin and Volvo Trucks ran two FH trucks on a 621-circuit on the Hallered course in Sweden. These trucks operated over two week to create reliable statistics on the impact of proper tire use. Each FH 4×2 truck featured a 13-liter, 500-horsepower engine and a payload of 40 tons. Researchers used variations on tire pressure, wheel alignment and tire types produced by Michelin to assess potential fuel savings. Michelin and Volvo also simulated rain, snow and road obstructions throughout the trial to add complexity to the published results. The trucks were outfitted with sensors and data-collection systems that tracked fuel consumption as well as tire pressure.

The results of this trip were verified by the Technical Research Institute of Sweden over the two-week trial. The biggest influence on the 14.5% reduction in fuel consumption is the selection of the right tire for a particular vehicle. Michelin estimates that the right tires can improve fuel economy by 11% for the average truck. Proper alignment could cut fuel consumption by 2.5% while wheel inflation can cut fuel use by about 1% according to the report.

Consumers should view Michelin’s recent report with a mixture of skepticism and concern. Michelin certainly wants to promote the importance of tires on fuel economy in order to increase business. This formulation plays on the public’s concerns about personal finances, fuel costs and the environmental impacts of transportation. The bigger issue emerging from Michelin’s report is that the auto industry seems concerned about the fuel-efficient margins rather than more substantial technologies. Drivers should stay attuned to their tire pressure but automakers could exceed the 14.5% estimate with hybrid systems and plug-in vehicles.

(Photo by kokeshi on Flickr)

The Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington D.C. (EVA-DC) projects the costs of an electric-vehicle conversion at $7,926 based on a limited budget. While these costs and the weeks spent converting a vehicle to electric may seem excessive, the advantages are clear to anyone familiar with electric vehicles. Instead of running to the gas station to pay for overpriced fuel, an EV driver can simply plug his car into a household outlet at night to recharge for the next day. The conversion process can be a grind for the uninitiated with obstacles that need to be surmounted to create a greener vehicle.

EV converters need to complete some calculations about vehicle and battery size before commencing. The EVA-DC notes that pickup trucks can handle 26 6-volt batteries while compact cars can handle about 20 batteries. Most EV conversions utilize as much space as possible for batteries to get the greatest range possible per charge.

The life blood of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. First-time converters should look at 6-volt flooded batteries or 12-volt sealed batteries as their two options. The NiMHs and lithium-ion batteries used by automakers are far too expensive to be used in a home conversion. Drivers who are more concerned with durability than size can use flooded batteries from US Battery. Since the average flooded battery tips the scales at 70 pounds, a GNB 12-volt battery can be used to keep EVs lighter by sacrificing a bit of range.

Once an EV’s battery is chosen, the resourceful driver needs to gather the right components for the task. The components necessary to start an EV project include a DC motor, motor controller, adaptor plate, main contactor and a half-dozen additional parts. The Internet has made EV conversions simpler by opening up niche stores and websites with EV conversion instructions for EV enthusiasts.

The buzzword that should be uttered frequently during each EV conversion is deliberation. EV aspirants need to learn how to wire propulsion, charging and display systems under the hood to avoid shorts during operation. Since the majority of the wiring is similar to a gas engine, an experienced mechanic can likely offer some advice on this process. Drivers should err on the side of safety throughout the conversion process, starting with a good pair of goggles and the common sense to shut off power before doing any work.

(Photo by Curtis Perry on Flickr)

Raser Technologies came out in August 2008 with a plan to create a plug-in electric drive system capable of reaching 100 MPG when installed in a light-duty truck. The company’s designers determined that a 200 kW electric motor, a 100kW generator and lithium ion batteries could be used to turn a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado into a green machine. If you cannot wait for Raser Technologies to come out with its conversion kit, you can look at the following companies who have already developed hybrid kits for light-duty trucks.

NetGain Motors Inc. based in Lockport, Illinois has an Engine Motor Interface System (EMIS) that can turn a gas-guzzling truck into an efficient hybrid. NetGain’s EMIS technology can be attached to trucks going back to the 1996 model year with rear-wheel and all-wheel drives. When the EMIS motor is attached to a light-duty truck, a driver can cut down on gas consumption when accelerating or going up hills. NetGain’s technology is still patent pending but has been successfully used in several prototypes.

Truck drivers should look deeper into hybrid conversion kits using vegetable oil and other waste products before making purchases. Golden Fuel Systems offers hybrid conversion kits for light-duty trucks that run on Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO), which is vegetable oil that has not been filtered and treated. Golden Fuel hits a wide audience with kits for Chevy, GMC, Ford and Dodge trucks along with buses and commercial vehicles. The company’s kits can be installed without the help of a mechanic and base prices start at $1,200 with optional items like 60-gallon tanks available at premium prices.

GreaseCar Vegetable Fuel Systems in Holyoke, Massachusetts also offers truck conversion kits using vegetable oil. GreaseCar sells kits for light-duty trucks as well as heavy-duty diesel trucks that start at $3,000. The company has tested GreaseCar kits against regular diesels and found that trucks running on GreaseCar systems produce 26% less carbon monoxide than traditional diesel engines. Instead of using a single fuel tank, GreaseCar breaks up its 15 and 40-gallon tanks into two units to create greater efficiency by keeping fuel in place. GreaseCar Vegetable Fuel Systems has a list of authorized installers on its website along with instructions for truckers who are interested in installing their own kits.

The wave of the future in alternative vehicles may rest in hybrid conversions and all-electric DIY kits. Victoria-based Blade Electric Vehicles is leading the way in this market niche by converting the Hyundai Getz into an all-electric vehicle called the Electron. The growing company has announced that the New Zealand national government is purchasing 200 Electrons beginning in spring 2009. New Zealand is following the example of Australian cities like Melbourne, which began rolling out Electrons earlier this year.

The BEV Electron is a four-seat coupe with power steering and regenerative braking. Electron drivers can expect a top speed of 75 MPH and reach 37 MPH from a dead stop in seven seconds. Blade Electric Vehicles includes a lithium-ion battery in the Electron that can last 75 miles per charge, charge within seven hours for a 240V outlet and operate for eight years in optimal conditions. The City of Melbourne claims that its BEV Electron costs about a cent per mile to operate with the potential for reducing drastically fuel costs in the annual budget.

Blade Electric Vehicles looks like it will be successful due to its flexible conversion arrangements. A driver who already owns a Hyundai Getz or a similar vehicle can get a conversion from Blade for $19,200 USD. The comprehensive package including a Hyundai Getz and conversion costs $29,770 USD for Australia residents. Blade also carries DIY kits and individual parts for all-electric conversions produced by Azure Dynamics. The company includes a five-year warranty on labor during the conversion along with applicable manufacturer warranties on parts.

If the New Zealand rollout goes smoothly, Blade Electric Vehicles is poised to explode as a leader in the all-electric conversion market. The company’s location in Australia allows it to reach a rapidly growing driving population in Southeast Asia once it scales up operations. Blade Electric Vehicles is also demonstrating the versatility of its all-electric conversions by venturing away from the Hyundai Getz. The “Who’s Buying” section of the company’s website shows a Mazda MX5 converted by Blade Electric Vehicles. Company owner Ross Blade is following the right path at present by reaching out to local governments that need immediate PR boosts and lower fuel costs.

While hybrid cars have gotten a lot of press in recent months, hybrid conversion kits are growing in popularity among thrifty consumers. Conversion kits allow drivers to switch between gasoline and another fuel source with options ranging from electricity to water. These kits have gained some attention on local news shows and blogs because they allow average drivers to make their vehicles eco-friendly. Drivers who choose hybrid conversion kits can avoid paying high prices for hybrids, keep their fuel costs low and conserve resources by keeping their cars away from the scrap heap.

Not every conversion kit is created equal and consumers have to find equipment that is right for their vehicles. Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technologies (HVET) has developed a conversion kit that has been tested on a Ford F-150. This vehicle’s popularity along with HVET’s repeated testing lends credibility to this kit, consisting of an Adaptive Control Unit, an electric motor and a 12 kWh battery pack. The motor is rigged to the vehicle’s existing drive train and the control unit keeps the motor’s performance steady. HVET’s conversion kit also features a dashboard display to help any driver keep tabs on fuel mileage and battery charge.

Poulsen Hybrid has challenged HVET’s conventional approach to fuel-to-hybrid conversion. This Connecticut-based company has created a conversion kit featuring two motors, motor controllers and cables that attaches to a vehicle’s rear wheels. This kit is non-invasive, requiring no contact with the brakes, suspension or steering. A driver with a Poulsen Hybrid attachment can switch on the rear wheel motors for regenerative braking to reduce fuel consumption. Poulsen Hybrid offers a lead acid battery pack standard with a lithium-ion battery optional for consumers interested in longer battery life. The company charges $3,300 for each kit with professional installation required at an additional $600.

The market for hybrid conversion kits should not be blocked for drivers who already own a hybrid vehicle. A123’s Hymotion L5 Plug-in Converter Module is available for $9,995 for Toyota Prius models between 2004 and 2009. The module packs an additional punch to the car’s already robust MPG figures, allowing a Prius to get up to an equivalent of 100 MPG on an electrical charge for up to 40 miles. This product can be fully charged within six hours, allowing commuters to plug in the Hymotion L5 at night before heading out in the morning.

Findings in the latest International Journal of Vehicle Design by researcher Inchul Kim will point out the importance of a well-designed spoiler for reduced fuel use. Kim, a researcher from Metacomp Technologies, worked with researchers from the University of Michigan-Dearborn to test out a prototype spoiler designed to reduce drag and lift on vehicles with flat backs. The minivan used in Kim’s tests showed a 5% reduction in drag and an incredible reduction of 100% in lift when the spoiler was attached.

During the development of the test spoiler, Kim and fellow researchers followed three criteria to improve performance in SUVs and minivans. Kim wanted the spoiler to act as a diffuser and create greater pressure on the back of a vehicle than normal to ensure greater wheel contact with the road. The spoiler was also designed to reduce the amount of drag or force moving opposite the vehicle’s motion. The final criterion for this spoiler was keeping lift, or force moving upward from the ground, to a minimum by reducing the prototype’s profile.

The findings indicate that Kim was able to achieve all three measures with resounding success. The minor reduction in drag meant that the minivan had to use less power (read: less gasoline) in reaching the desired speed of 67 miles per hour. The complete reduction in lift kept rear wheels touching the testing surface during the entire process, allowing greater control in case of inclement weather.

While a rear spoiler may seem like an optional extravagance, Inchul Kim has demonstrated its utility in turning traditional vehicles into Earth-friendly rides. Kim’s findings indicate that drag can take up 65% of a vehicle’s energy as it accelerates to 70 miles per hour. If this spoiler can be manufactured for aftermarket use, it will reduce drag’s share of the gasoline and turn minivans into more efficient vehicles.

This research should also be used as the impetus for a total makeover of the auto parts market. The high prices of spoilers, mufflers and exhaust systems do not translate into better fuel performance; instead, they indicate a commitment to engine power and aesthetics. Metacomp Technologies and other research facilities stand on the edge of making safe, green auto parts practical as long as consumers stay concerned with issues of vehicle efficiency.

Every driver interested in cutting back on fuel consumption, saving their brakes and learning to be a better motorist should be interested in Fiat’s EcoDrive software. This software was announced at the 2008 Paris Motor Show as a product that Fiat will begin to offer on a large scale by the end of this year. The EcoDrive software package is capable of analyzing a driver’s average speed, braking, gear efficiency and fuel use over thousands of miles.

Fiat’s new software requires drivers to purchase a Microsoft Blue & Me system before analyzing driving patterns. The Blue & Me is a versatile onboard unit that allows motorists to focus entirely on the road. This onboard computer provides audio for incoming text messages, access to hands-free cell phone use and compatibility with most MP3 players.

The Blue & Me features a USB port that allows drivers to transfer the EcoDrive software easily. Every motorist can download the software from their computer to a USB drive and upload EcoDrive into the Blue & Me. The software provides driving suggestions and detailed reports on fuel consumption once the USB drive is inserted back into a home computer. Fiat is also developing a social networking component through its website that will help newcomers navigate through EcoDrive reports. While Microsoft intended this unit to improve the daily commute, Fiat hopes that the Blue & Me can help reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent.

Fiat has already started offering EcoDrive software for Fiat and Alfa Romeo models following the Paris Motor Show. Ford Motor Company has expressed interest in the EcoDrive software and other automakers are keeping an eye on Fiat’s progress. While devices like the Scan Gauge II exist to provide diagnostic reports for concerned motorists, Fiat’s EcoDrive takes the use of onboard computers to the next level.

The Paris Motor Show unveiling of EcoDrive exposes a significant gap between computer technology and the auto industry. While automakers are finding ways to accommodate MP3 players and DVD players, they have largely ignored the use of portable technology to reduce fuel consumption. The Toyota Prius is the one vehicle on the road today that comes to mind when thinking about onboard computing as a catalyst for efficient driving. If Ford, Chrysler and other motor companies want to stay competitive, they will need to copy Fiat until they have sufficient R&D capabilities to leap ahead.

While automakers are slowly coming around to alternative fuels, hundreds of companies are jumping into the alternative fuel niche with conversion kits. These kits allow consumers to turn their gas-guzzling vehicles into testaments to sustainable fuels. You should examine alternative fuels like ethanol, propane and vegetable oil carefully before pursuing conversion kits.

Flex Fuel US and other innovative businesses have created conversion kits to take advantage of America’s ethanol craze. Flex Fuel’s conversion kit allows any driver to switch between ethanol and traditional fuel with proper installation. This kit can accommodate gasoline, E10, E20 and E85 fuels for drivers who want to mix up their fuel options.

Hendrix Industrial Gastux Inc. has developed compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane conversion kits for dozens of vehicle makes and models. The Hendrix website cites the high price of gasoline, the nontoxic nature of propane and the myth of propane going up in flames when selling these kits. While these kits are designed for easy installation, Hendrix and other companies recommend installation through their facilities for proper placement of gas tanks.

The advent of vegetable oil kits by companies like Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems comes from one part ingenuity and one part necessity. As Americans continue to flock to fast food restaurants and drive-throughs, we have a surplus of spent oil that needs to be disposed. Regional kit retailers from coast to coast have joined Greasecar in using vegetable oil as a fuel source. The Greasecar kit works solely with diesel engines but is touted as a clean fuel source that can be sustained into the future.

Innovators have knocked around these alternative fuel sources for years as gas prices have increased. You should be careful to determine the legitimacy of the kit provider as well as the science behind the technology before buying a conversion kit. Unless you have experience with auto maintenance, you may need to search for a mechanic willing to install your conversion kit. In the end, you may be best served by testing out a conversion kit on an older vehicle you use around town. Your excursions to the grocery store, dry cleaner and other places can demonstrate the reliability of converted vehicles before switching wholesale to propane, ethanol and other fuels.

We have been focusing largely on driving behavior and technology when giving our Tuesday fuel saving tips at HybridMile. While a hybrid car or a truck with a continuously variable transmission may cut your gas usage, you may be losing mileage as rainwater and debris collects on your hood. You can make up some of this gas mileage by washing and waxing your car regularly.

This tip may not seem as important as oil changes and using cruise control but it has been proven to cut down on gas mileage. Engineer Tom Wagner Jr. has found that a simple car wash and wax at a local gas station can increase fuel economy by 7% over a long trip. Wagner Jr. drove a decade-old Dodge Ram over 1,600 miles in a single trip, saving plenty of money in the process. While Wagner’s example is anecdotal, it is plausible for a clean car without debris to require less fuel than its dirty counterpart.

The claims made by Tom Wagner Jr. have been repeated frequently throughout the Internet though major publications have not yet taken up this test. About.com, Daily Fuel Economy Tip and other informational websites have encouraged drivers to get their cars cleaned to fight high gas prices. This tip may seem unsubstantiated but it is no sillier than removing boxes from your car or changing your hub caps to reduce drag. Every automaker measures the angles and shapes of each vehicle within millimeters to provide the best aerodynamics possible. Each step you take to keep your car as close to the factory standard as possible keeps money in your pocket.

The fuel saved by cleaning off thin layers of dust can be offset with the environmental damage caused by cleaning agents. You can save money and reduce your footprint by using eco-friendly car soaps like Simple Clean’s Green Car Wash Cleaner. This soap is biodegradable as well as powerful in stark contrast to the soaps used at local car washes. This product is packaged in a fully recyclable bottle to top off your excursion into green car washing. By using your own green soap, you can conserve water, recycle the bottle and save gas spent idling in the car wash.