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