| Tired of high gas prices? Want to save the | | | | bit of an 'enema' for the engine, cleaning |
| earth? Want to support local economies and | | | | out the dinosaur residue, so be sure and |
| clean the air while getting high performance | | | | replace the fuel filter after the first |
| out of your vehicle? Try Biodiesel. It's | | | | couple of tanks of biodiesel. After that, |
| clean, sustainable, domestic, renewable AND | | | | because biodiesel is so clean burning, it |
| you can make it at home!!! Wave farewell to | | | | actually may reduce maintenance costs and |
| petroleum.Amidst the hybrid hype, there has | | | | extend engine life.Europe, which has |
| been little mention of one of the oldest | | | | traditionally been more diesel-heavy than the |
| 'alternative' fuels with some tremendous | | | | US, (currently diesels occupy about 40 % of |
| advantages. Invented and patented by Rudolf | | | | the European market) has recently increased |
| Diesel in 1893, diesel engines were first | | | | its emissions standards and subsequently the |
| made to run on various vegetable oils. Thus, | | | | use of biodiesel has taken off in a big way. |
| almost any diesel engine outfitted with the | | | | Europeans are supporting the growth of the |
| right hoses is capable of cleaner, vegan, | | | | biodiesel industry through farming subsidies |
| non-petroleum based Biodiesel operation. | | | | of biodiesel feedstocks unknown in the US |
| (Most newer diesels have the right | | | | until this week when Oregon introduced a |
| hoses).Diesels have tremendous advantages. | | | | similar bill in their State |
| Although their pricepoint can be somewhat | | | | Legislature.Another tremendous advantage of |
| higher initially, it's well worth it in the | | | | Biodiesel is its blend-ability. Biodiesel can |
| long run. Diesel engines are well known for | | | | be used straight (called B100) or blended in |
| their consistent reliability, length of | | | | any percentage with conventional #2 diesel, |
| engine life, and perhaps most importantly, | | | | and even at low percentages (B5 or B10) has |
| their fuel economy. In our ever-growing | | | | incredible emissions benefits. Subsequently, |
| awareness of planetary resources and taking | | | | if you're out traveling and don't have access |
| geopolitical circumstances into account, fuel | | | | to homemade or storebought biodiesel, you can |
| economy is beginning to take a place of | | | | use regular diesel in your tank with no |
| primacy.When running on biodiesel, there are | | | | conversion issues.There are an ever-growing |
| tremendous emissions benefits as well. | | | | number of biodiesel filling stations |
| Traditional dinosaur-diesel powered engines | | | | available if you don't have space or interest |
| have gotten a bad rap for their dark, smoky | | | | in making your own. Check with for more |
| exhaust, smell and pollution of our air. | | | | information of what's available in your area. |
| Biodiesel, on the other hand, reduces | | | | For more biodiesel resources see a personal |
| emissions significantly in every category in | | | | note, I've been running my VW Jetta TDI |
| which pollutants are measured except nitrous | | | | (Turbo Diesel Injection) on Biodiesel (mostly |
| oxide (NOx) which can be adjusted with some | | | | B100) for the last three years with only good |
| slight modifications. Unlike their petroleum | | | | things to say. It's been trouble-free and now |
| powered counterparts, biodiesel exhaust | | | | it's actually pleasant to have the sunroof |
| smells pleasantly like the feedstock of | | | | open. And if your outdated ideas suggest that |
| whatever vegetable oil is used. (There are | | | | diesels compromise performance or speed, feel |
| tales of people who have used recycled fryer | | | | free to sniff my doughnutsA Registered Nurse |
| oil for their biodiesel from their local | | | | with a long-term interest in holistic |
| doughnut shop and subsequently end up with | | | | wellness, Katrina Hugenot writes regularly on |
| visions of Krispy Kreme.)Performance wise, | | | | topics relating to health, nutrition, |
| biodiesel has a higher lubricity than | | | | sustainability, and well-being. |
| conventional diesel, subsequently acting as a | | | | |