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fantabulous articles
It's not always the vehicle that guzzles gas, but how you use it
By Todd Kaho, Courtesy of Edmunds.com from Green Car Journal
Source: Post-Tribune
Despite what you may have heard, sport-utility vehicles are not inherently evil. Pickups are not road hogs. Minivans are not nondescript boxes whose function is merely to block the road ahead.
Given appropriate use, they all serve their purposes well. SUVs are the modern equivalent of the family station wagon, only more versatile. Likewise, the minivan is a most competent family shuttle. Pickup trucks with extended cabs and four doors serve as people movers as well as offer exceptional cargo handling ability. All of these vehicles are immensely popular...and in some environmental circles, intensely reviled.
They have a larger footprint than conventional family cars, it's true, and that's the basis for much of the controversy surrounding these vehicles. That larger footprint, however, provides considerable interior volume and packaging flexibility. All three platforms also provide plenty of elbow room for adapting green technology.
Clearly, these vehicles and their owners have the most to gain from technology that increases fuel efficiency. Consider a 20- percent increase and the total fuel savings between a 15 mpg full- size SUV versus a 35 mpg compact car. A 20-percent increase will yield 18 mpg in the big SUV and 42 mpg in the thrifty compact. At first glance, the 7 mpg increase compared to just 3 mpg in the SUV seems to tip the scales toward the compact in terms of overall improvement.
But consider the difference this change makes for the driver who travels 15,000 miles in an average year. At 35 mpg, the compact burns about 428 gallons of fuel. Add in the 20-percent improvement and use is only 357 gallons, a savings of 71 gallons of fuel over those 15,000 miles. Now consider the SUV: At 15 mpg the SUV will consume about 1,000 gallons of gas over 15,000 miles. Bump it up 20 percent to 18 mpg and the SUV burns 833 gallons, for a total fuel savings of 167 gallons -- 95.3 gallons more (or less) than the higher mileage compact.
Fuel economy improvements that don't adversely affect drivability and overall performance benefit us all. In the case of larger family haulers, these vehicles, after all, often must serve multipurpose roles where mass, bulk and capacity are part of the overall equation. Towing a trailer or hauling a heavy load necessitates more mass to safely control the weight. And if you need seating for six or eight? Well, that requires a larger family hauler as a matter of course.
Technology advances over time will improve fuel economy and lower emissions, and certainly, today's fleet has plenty of room for improvement. That's why such advances as hybrid electric power, clean diesel and advanced technology internal combustion engines are so important as they come ever closer to new car showrooms.
In the meantime, if your situation finds you among those who need a larger family vehicle but whose conscience can't tolerate the thought of doing things the same old way, welcome to the club. Things have changed...and there are a lot of us out there. Here, we share important things to consider as you shop for a new pickup, van or sport-utility vehicle, allowing you to choose a vehicle that fits your driving needs and your environmental ethic as well.
1. Weigh Your Needs
A more efficient vehicle isn't a good value if it doesn't meet your needs. Obviously, the ability to move people and stuff from place to place is a primary concern. So, first consider what you will normally be carrying with a buffer for occasional-use items. People are the most precious cargo. If you are single, your needs are likely to be very different than those of someone with a large family. Fortunately, because the light truck industry is very profitable for automakers, there is an almost overwhelming array of vehicles from which to choose. Product planners are constantly searching for new niche markets that will spark a new industry trend. The result is the recent crop of crossover vehicles that blur the line between traditional categories of pickups, vans and SUVs by incorporating features of each. Narrow the field by considering your needs carefully.
2. Choose Wisely
First, arm yourself with as much background information as you can find. Use Edmunds' comparator tool to evaluate fuel economy and emissions ratings for various engine and transmission combinations along with horsepower and torque ratings. Also, don't get stuck in the rut of driving the same category or brand of vehicle. An SUV owner with a large family who really doesn't need four-wheel-drive capability might seriously consider a small van - unless, of course, sensibilities dictate the more rugged look, feel and commanding view of the road that an SUV affords. That's no joke. If we've learned nothing more over the 100-plus-year history of the automobile, it's that there's often an aesthetic appeal between human and machine that helps drive an automotive purchase decision. Keep in mind that crossover products come into play here, too. Torn between a pickup and an SUV? Consider one of the new crew cab-style pickups with an abbreviated pickup bed.
3. Technology Is Your Friend
One hard fact in the green arena is that new engine designs are more efficient than old ones. Advances in computer engine controls, fuel delivery systems, multivalve cylinder heads, the use of weight- saving advanced materials and improved emissions controls all add up to a greener, cleaner engine. Respectable fuel economy is also no longer mutually exclusive of high performance. Be sure to check out the latest and greatest engines that are making their way to our family hauler categories. It's an incredibly competitive market out there and automakers are constantly bringing new and better engine and transmission technologies to their vehicles. This is certainly true in the high-profit pickup, van and SUV categories where auto manufacturers compete vigorously for market share. Not all family haulers are created equal, or as green.
4. Get the Smaller Engine
While there are some standard entry-level engines we wouldn't recommend, there are also many models that offer a base engine that just makes sense. Great examples of this abound. The secret is to weigh horsepower and torque ratings for the various powertrain combinations with their respective EPA mileage ratings. Look for the sweet spot where power is acceptable and mileage is well above average. Remember, too, that if you plan to regularly carry or tow heavier loads, the smaller engine choice might not be a bargain. Load a truck to capacity and the smaller engine may actually deliver worse fuel economy than a larger optional engine simply because it will be working far too hard. Before you buy, be certain you test- drive the vehicle with your desired powertrain. An extra mile-per- gallon won't be a bargain if attempts to accelerate and merge into traffic make the hair on the back of your neck stand.
(C) 2005 Post-Tribune. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
Investigate everything before purchasing that next used vehicle
Source: Bangor Daily News Bangor, ME
Used car problems have consistently ranked in the top ten complaint categories handled by COMBAT during the past 33 years. There are good deals out there, but there are also hidden, potentially expensive risks that may lurk under the floorboards. When shopping for a "previously owned" vehicle, take heed of what COMBAT clients have experienced.
The Chameleon: Jacquie Thurston of Unity bought a spiffy red "formerly owned" convertible. But when her car door was scraped by a shopping cart she was amazed that there appeared to be a green car underneath. The color difference could have indicated a replaced door after minor damage, or worse, extensive bodywork after a major accident.
Before you purchase a used car, check the entire body for signs of repair, filling materials, or repainting. Check the wheel wells and undercarriage for fresh paint applied to mask rust or damage. Check under weatherstripping, body moldings, dealer emblems and other areas where repainting is more easily detected. A car involved in an accident has a reduced value.
In Thurston's case, the repainting was cosmetic and the car was fine.
The Puzzle Car: Sometimes insurance companies "total" vehicles and the wrecks are hauled off to be sold for parts, but enterprising mechanics will find similar models that have been wrecked and fit the pieces of two or more together to make a "puzzle" car. This is both illegal and unsafe because a reassembled car will not be as strong as an original and may have ill-fitting panels, leaks and creaks.
Online services such as Carfax.com can help you identify "salvaged titles" (cars totaled by insurance companies).
Tom Wellington of Madawaska bought one of these pieced-together vehicles, but COMBAT got his money back for him (and the used car dealer was fined).
The StinkySubMobile: Grace Talbot of Guilford was happy as a clam when she drove her used SUV home on a summer day but not so happy the next morning when the windows fogged on the inside and the car smelled like a swamp. When her dash lights started to flicker, wipers worked only part time, and seat controls wouldn't work, she was just plain angry.
Grace had purchased a vehicle that had served time as a submarine when stolen from the previous owner and driven into a pond. The used car salesman had bought the car from salvage, dried it out and slapped it on his lot. COMBAT got Grace her money back.
Before buying, look for signs of water damage, rust under the carpets, stains, "water line" markings, or live trout in a wet trunk.
The Helluva Deal Car: If a dealer appears way too eager to unload a car by offering an unbelievably low price and too generous terms - watch out. It may be a "problem car" (makes and models with a high incidence of problems and recalls). Check auto histories at www.NHTSA.dot.gov or www.nutzandboltz.org.
Bar Harbor consumer Sally Trenholm bought a 5-year-old car with only 12,000 miles on it (COMBAT found out the car had been in the repair shop more than on the road) and Bill Jackson of Greenville bought a truck owned by six people in seven years - and a heap of problems to boot. Why do you suppose those previous owners dumped it?
Finally, beware of "program" cars. While many consumers think "program cars" are dealer demos, they could also be "fleet" vehicles purchased by a company for employees who used them like NASCAR pace cars that were oiled only sporadically. Always ask exactly what "program" means and about the warranty.
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While shopping for a used car, think twice before signing once, and have the vehicle examined by a trusted mechanic or knowledgeable friend. If the dealer won't let you do this, walk to the next car lot.
Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT (Consumers Of Maine Bringing Action Together), Maine's membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership $25, business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.
(C) 2005 Bangor Daily News Bangor, ME. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
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