Why Hybrid Car Drivers Need Thick Skin

Buying a hybrid car is more than a calculated decision to save fuel. It is a statement about "saving the planet".

Even if the chances are pretty slim that hybrid technology will actually make much difference, it gives hybrid owners the right to feel superior. After all, they care about the planet. And the rest of the world obviously doesn't.

But if you're one of those hybrid owners you'd better be ready to lose some friends. Here's why...

1. You're Driving Way Too Slow

In theory at least, hybrid owners are the antithesis of those guys who just ache to get in that passing lane and leave the rest of us behind. You know the type...you're minding your own business coming out onto the expressway and the otherwise ordinary guy in the vehicle behind you swings out and passes even before you've hit the highway.

Hybrid owners seem to do just the opposite. You've known for years that driving slow saves fuel. So you're likely to be driving under the speed limit rather than over like the rest of the world.

The fact that you're driving a hybrid just makes it worse, since you know that all the potential savings are squandered if you try to go fast.

Especially when you're accelerating. That guy in the high powered vehicle who pulls out and passes... the thought of saving gas has never crossed his mind. But hydrid owners know better. For you it's a moral duty to save fuel. The fate of the planet depends on it. So there's no way you're going to try any of that fast acceleration stuff.

2. What's with the Pulse and Glide Stuff

You've been told that "pulse and glide" can make a serious difference to your gas milage. That's where you accelerate (conservatively) to the speed limit, and then let the car "glide" to 10 or more miles per hour below the speed limit. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure...

I once had a friend who drove like this. I thought he was dozing off between pulses, but now I know differently. He was actually doing the environmentally responsible thing.

My friend's driving habits aside, this practice is not going to endear you to all the rest of the drivers who can't figure out why you keep slowing down. It's probably smart to speed up just a little when you find yourself in anything other than the "slow" lane.

All bets are off when they let you use the carpool lane.

3. You Just Won't Inch Forward Will You!

Everybody else in the world knows that you must "inch" forward during stop and go traffic. How else are you going to keep up with the driver in front. Besides, if you leave more than about a 15' gap between you and the guy ahead somebody's going to jump into the gap and slow you down even more.

Hybrid drivers have been told this "inching forward" stuff is pointless and wastes fuel. And the way they build hybrids these days they've got a point. When you take your foot off the brake pedal the auto-stop turns off and the gasoline engine restarts -- like one of those gasoline engine golf carts. And there goes most of your gas savings. All those stops and starts just eat up the gas.

But don't expect your mono-drive cousins to understand. They've only got one thing in mind: to get wherever they're going just as fast as possible. And everybody knows that racing up behind the guy in front is the only way to make that happen.

4. Do you really think you should be drafting me like that?

The responsible hybrid owner will make use of every advantage to save gas. And drafting larger vehicles is one technique that the more aggressive will try. That's where you pull right up behind a semi, a van, or an SUV and try to stay in the pocket of air they are pulling along behind them.

I remember doing this with an old '65 Beetle a few years back. We were travelling along the New York Thruway drafting semis. We were making great time and saving lots of gas... until we blew a rod.

Of course, sticking on someone's bumper will not endear you to too many of your fellow drivers. And as I discovered, it's a bit dangerous too. You'll find yourself going quite a bit faster than you otherwise would go. And whipping along in that back-draft does not do a lot for your stability.

Just try to remember, when you're out there on the highway trying to save the planet, the rest of the world could care less about your morally superiour driving habits. All they want to do is get where they're going as fast as they can.

Variants Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)

Throughout 2009 - 2010 almost all manufacturers launched variants Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). A number of advanced technological features is the completeness of which are presented to prospective customers. When observed between each other barely differ.



So even with the comforts and luxuries on offer. However, the number of SUVs that have one or more advantages that are not owned by any other SUV. Among them is also a choice of consumers ranging from ordinary people up to famous figures of the world.

The result of research conducted by media and research institutes world-class automotive like Car and Driver, Consumer Reports, Edmunds and Motor Trend a few months before the end of 2010 that was launched this past weekend iseecars.com, showing the four best SUV in this year.

The assessment includes a selected number of readers, testing performance, completeness and excellence of features, design and others. Here's the fourth SUV:

1. New Mercedes Benz GL Class

Made by Mercedes Benz SUV is offered in several variants. Besides having a faster acceleration rates, room spacious and luxurious interior, as well as fuel efficient.

The second row seats have a free space for adult passengers. They will feel comfortable with any style of sitting. 3000 cc diesel engine variant V6 Blue Tech has a very good performance.

In addition to light, rapid acceleration, vibration machine barely felt. So that people would never think that they are riding a diesel-engined cars.
This car is priced starting at U.S. $ 60,950 or approximately USD 554.64 million.

2. New Acura MDX

Honda SUV made it a favorite among peshor in the world. Understandably, in addition to having a large enough power, fast acceleration, also offers a high comfort cabin roared.

This car bearing the 3700 cc V6 engine that ejects power 300 horsepower and torque of 373 Newton meters (Nm). In addition, this car is also fuel efficient in its class.

Test Results Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) United States, Acura MDX consumes only 16 liters of fuel for a distance of 100 kilometers (km) on a city street. While on the highway, its fuel consumption is only 12 liters for a distance of 100 km.

Variant four-wheel (AWD) have a reliable suspension so the car is very easy to control light.

In fact, the driver and passengers will not feel a jolt when the car bulldoze tingkungan sharp and bumpy track.
Membanderol SUV Honda began U.S. $ 42,580 or approximately USD 387.74 million.

3. Infiniti QX56

Nissan Motor's luxury SUV that bear the 5600 cc V8 DOHC engine that produces 315 horsepower power at 4900 rpm and 390 lb ft of torque at 3600 rpm. Produced in two variants, namely having a two and four wheels (AWD).

One thing that makes this car is comfortable suspension devices. In the front wheels using independent double wishbone with stabilizer bar. While at the rear wheels using independent double wishbone with auto leveling and stabilizer bars.

The distance between the front row with 104 centimeters (cm), in the second row seats 104.7 cm and 80 cm the third new seat. Infiniti SUV membanderol is U.S. $ 56,050 or approximately USD 510 million.

4. Lexus LX570

SUV made by Lexus - Toyota's luxury brand - it is equipped with 5700 cc engine that produces 270 kW of power and torque of 530 Newton meters (Nm) at 4,000 rpm. The machine was operated by electronic transmission technology with the latest sequential six-speed automatic that's designed for heavy work.

The latest generation SUV is fairly fuel efficient. EPA test results show, this car only needs 14.5 liters of fuel to travel 100 km.

Interestingly, compared to previous generation devices Antilock Brake System (ABS) this car is capable of adapting to different types of trajectories that pass.

Meanwhile, the hill start system, it bears designed to make risk prevention bulldoze the car when the track slippery. Membanderol Lexus SUV flagship was U.S. $ 78.555, or about 714, 85 million.

Hybrids Reduce Gas Emissions

Hybrids not only perform above average on mileage (the Honda insight can reach above sixty mpg) but reduce their gas emissions and air pollution considerably. Toyota Prius, for example has a 90% reduction in the amount of pollution that would otherwise be in the air. And although this is not perfect it has improved the current standard considerably



About one third of air pollution is caused by the fuel used in cars. The major culprit is the carbon dioxide which causes global warming. Compared to regular cars, the Toyota Prius reduces the amount of carbon dioxide by fifty percent. And the hybrid made by Honda has reduced its emissions by two thirds. Nitrogen oxide, a chemical found in car emissions, not only causes global warming, but will cause acid rain and lung irritations. Hydrocarbons is another substance found in gas emissions from a car and this can cause birth defects or lung cancer. Lead is also released in the air as is carbon monoxide every time the car is in motion. Imagine sitting in rush hour with all those toxic gases being released in the air.

With a hybrid the gases and other substances are dramatically reduced. Because more and more people are becoming concerned about air pollution and global warming, car makers are rushing to meet the demand. There are the hybrid models from Toyota and Honda and Ford. But Saturn and Mazda and GM are following suit. <

The EPA is also participating in encouraging this trend by supplying more information to the consumer about the hybrid cars. There are new ratings in place. One is the ultra low emissions vehicle (ULEV) and the other is the super low emissions vehicle (SLEV). The hybrids on the market today receive either one of the ratings but regular cars never reach the mark.

There is a system in place that the EPA uses to rate cars. It gives two scores, one for the green house gases and the other for air pollution. In the seventies, there was a law passed that required cars to keep to certain standards. Regular cars barely met the requirement. Even if you took into consideration things like speed, weather or location, that may change the outcome of results. It doesn't reduce the high scores of the hybrids. In fact, this score can be perfect at times because the hybrid runs on electric power too. So that reliance on gas is decreased, making the hybrid the better choice of car in the market today for the EPA