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Auto Q & A
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Posted by editor Fri May 12, 2006 14:40:35 PDT
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0 responses 1 comment Dear Q & A: With all the publicity about the gas-ethanol combination, I was wondering, must one have a specially made engine to use that? If so, is there anything on the market now or in future plans so that folks can fit their cars to use it? My cynical guess is that one must buy a specially built car, like the hybrids, for more money after remaining on a wait list. Tell me that’s not true.

Dear Jayzee: You’re referring to so-called “flex-fuel” vehicles, which can burn “E-85” (a 15/85-percent gasoline/ethanol mix) or pure gasoline, or any mixture of both. Quite a few makes and models already on the road have this versatility, including vehicles from Daimler Chrysler, GM. Ford, Nissan, Mazda, and Isuzu. Check with your dealer to determine if your car has this built-in capability. Model years range from 2000 through 2007 and can be identified in some cases by a single character in the vehicle’s ID number.
There are already about five million flex-fuel vehicles on US roads. That’s one in 40. The major downside at this point in time is refueling availability. Unfortunately, there’s currently only one E-85 station in your area, at 4001 El Cajon Boulevard. Alcohol gives fewer miles per gallon and costs somewhat more to produce, but since gasoline’s cost of production is only a small part of its price at the pump, ethanol may not cost more than gasoline in the long run.
As for converting your own car, if it’s not already so fitted, best check with your repair shop about costs and practicality. Incidentally, though many believe that ethanol from corn is the future, some researchers believe that sugar cane is a better source. Brazil’s success with alcohol fuel from cane has almost eliminated its need for expensive foreign oil. Yo, Washington!

Dear Q & A: On a recent trip to Las Vegas, for some reason we started worrying about our tire pressures, so we stopped in Baker, where it was 100 degrees, to check them. They showed much higher than the recommended 28 psi, so I let enough air out of all the tires to reach the proper pressure. The next morning, all my tires looked very low, and I had to get some more air in them before we got back on the road again. They seemed fine in Baker after I let the air out. Was there something wrong with the gauge there or what?

Dear Charles: The air trapped inside tires expands as its temperature rises. If you check your tire pressures just after pulling off the hot, hot pavement of I-15, the gauge is going to read high because the air inside the tires is much hotter than normal. Your letting air out to reach your 28 psi target pressure meant that once the tires cooled down, the true pressure would be much lower. To get accurate readings, check your tires’ pressures only when they’re cold.

Dear Q & A: I’m thinking about buying a newer used car, maybe five years old. I’m mainly interested in saving money on gas, so I’m really hot for a hybrid, like the Toyota Prius. Should I buy a hybrid, or a conventional small car like the Nissan Sentra or Hyundai Accent.

Dear Sailer: Repairs on hybrids, especially main battery replacements, can be very expensive once the warranty has expired. Fuel isn’t your only car expense. Best bet for keeping your car costs down is probably a conventional gas-miser like the Sentra, Accent, or a similar economy car.

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Comment From: lesleyann65

has anyone had any problems with their 2006 kia sportages shutting off at stop signs and traffic lights? NOW, it's starting to shut off before i even GET to them and the brakes are very stiff as well as the steering. two dealerships don't know what the problem is. is lemon law the awswer? HELP?