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Automotive News & Views Are gas prices fueling your pain? 
10042 messages, Last post on Jul 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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I would go get a great deal on a new truck (probably a 5.7L Tundra) Hopefully $3.00+ gas prices will be enough to decrease demand and trigger big rebates this summer. I don't drive that much, I clocked 6400 miles April-April in my tC, and I don't see my mileage increasing anytime soon. I am one of those 24 year olds trying to make it today. Is it unusual for me to contribute to my 401k at 24? I currently put 4% of my salary in it, and it is equally matched by my company, in addition all profit sharing goes into my 401k by my choice (and I keep the bonuses for myself) When I pay off Student loans and CC's I plan to increase my contribution to 10% or more. But right now every $100 that I see come out of my paycheck, $240 goes into my 401k when you take into account matching funds and tax benefits. If other 24 year olds aren't doing something simular, they need to start.
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Replying to: nferra2 (Apr 08, 2007 7:53 pm) |
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Replying to: oldharry (Apr 08, 2007 6:43 pm) But won't more fuel also need more air ? A diesel does not throttle air, only fuel, you also wrote. On the inlet side I believe the objective of both systems is to preserve the same air/fuel ratio whatever the mechanics of the throttling process. For me, the most interesting part of a turbo is the exhaust side. It's my understanding that the turbo acts more as an expansion device than a constriction on the exit flow of exhaust gases. The gases cool as they expand through the blades of the turbo in much the same manner as they do in a gas turbine. This loss of heat re-appears as increased torque on the turbo shaft. Heat has therefore been turned into energy and you should expect an overall rise in thermal efficiency. Some people, but no-one here of course, confuse its operation with a similar device, the supercharger that also forces air into the cylinders. This device is generally regarded as a parasitic element since it derives its power either directly from the engine shaft or indirectly via the electrical system of the engine. This particular device will lower thermal efficiency. Until recently GM was still fitting superchargers to some of their models (Sunfire) to compete with the more advanced engines of the Asian competition. T2
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Replying to: nferra2 (Apr 08, 2007 7:53 pm) |
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announced that their new 2.2L diesel will go into the next Accord, probably not at launch of the new model this fall, but next year. I am sure they will make liberal use of it for other models that don't already have hybrid variants. Toyota's new diesel is supposed to be here by 2009 (not that far away now, as it is referring to model year '09), but that's less certain. Jeep will begin using the Mercedes diesel in the GC, and who knows, if they stay a part of the Daimler Benz kingdom, maybe it will make it into other Jeeps as well. GM is hard at work on their ney hybrids, with the Volt hopefully only a few years out, and the only ones I don't know diesel plans for are Ford and Nissan. Heck, even Subaru has shown its new diesel engine, which will hit new models soon. And if you like compressed natural gas, Honda will sell you a CNG Civic right now, for big fuel cost savings! (with limited refueling options I would imagine - haven't checked into that). There ARE some gas-saving alternatives out there right now if you are at the point of buying a new vehicle. Among small cars, there are even a few good ones, very thrifty, running straight gas. |
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Replying to: isellhondas (Apr 08, 2007 8:10 am) Have you had any preliminary discussions with clients or visitors about the proposed diesel Ody and other models next year? What does Mrs Soccer Mom think about driving a diesel rather than a gasser? My own veiw is that although VW has a more established presence here in diesels that it suffers from an overall perception of reliability whereas Honda benefits from that perception. Honda may be the one to make diesels work in the mainstream US market but it will take a lot of education. What from the Honda viewpoint?
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Replying to: toyolla2 (Apr 08, 2007 11:30 pm) Black smoke results when more fuel is injected than there is air to fully burn, and combustion is incomplete. Older diesels, and some large engines still use a "pre-cup" or pre-combustion chamber, this is a small chamber off the main combustion chamber. Compression pushes some of the air charge in, and the fuel is injected there. The result is a very rich mixture that ignites easily, and the flame front shoots out into the cylinder where additional air burns most of the fuel. Pre-cup engines are more difficult to tune for pollution standards, Harry |
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Apr 09, 2007 12:03 pm) I guess I have a bad taste in my mouth because of the diesel disasters back in the 70's. If anybody can do it right, it will be Honda.
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Replying to: isellhondas (Apr 09, 2007 6:54 pm) I am glad to know that economical diesel vehicles will soon be here. I wish the gas stations now start selling diesel. Diesel won't cure all problems, but having any option at this point is better than not having any. |
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Continue to drive my '06 Jeep Liberty Diesel.  I got rid of my '04 3.7L exactly for this reason. I just wish I could find diesel like I can gas! (On every corner...) |
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