New mileage standards would double fuel efficiency

[renovation]

The new rules will require the fleet of new cars and trucks to average 54.5 miles per gallon in 13 years, up from 28.6 mpg at the end of last year.

The regulations will bring dramatic changes to the cars and trucks in U.S. showrooms and drive automakers to introduce new technology to make vehicles cleaner and more efficient.

The administration says the changes will save families more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs and bring an average savings of $8,000 over the lifetime of a new vehicle sold in 2025. The standards also are the biggest step the U.S. government has ever taken toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson said. Tailpipe emissions from cars and light trucks will be halved by 2025, the government said.
http://apnews.excite.com/article/201208 ... G4U00.html

(I personally feel that we may save some money on fuel costs if this becomes true. but will also be spending more per new car for add ons needed to achieve this goal that are law makers are setting on the auto makers and fuel supplyers.)
why is are law makers can put fuel requirements on auto makers. but not but requirements like mass transit plans and goals for are citys to save even more on the environment. maybe because they dont want to rock the very ground that gets them in office. )

[FlyingPenguin]

I disagree. There are all gas cars that can easily do 35 mpg now, and not just tiny econo boxes. We have the technology. It's just a matter of implenting it.

I rode in a friend's 2012 Prius which I think gets 50 and I was amazed how roomy it was. With 5 of us in there the thing had tons of pick-up. Really changed my mind about hybrids.

[normalicy]

I think the plan is a good compromise of what is really just plain necessary. Part of this push is to push away from the use of gasoline which is quickly becoming scarce.

[Pugsley]

My car was built in 2003 and it get 45-50 MPG mixed and is just a ICB with no extra electric motors. Now if they built a hybrid version it could easily do 80+. On top of that it uses a fuel (diesel) that is easier to produce from crude and its Bio version is way better then gases bio version (you don't need FOOD to make bio diesel).

[FlyingPenguin]

Dumbest thing we ever did was abandon Diesel in this country. In Europe Diesel is very popular and they make some really fuel efficient diesel cars over there.

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

I have been debating on trying to get my hands on a TDI Golf or Jetta for a while now.. lol But I have other projects to finish first..

[Pugsley]

If you are going to get a used VW TDI try to get between 2000 and 2003. The 2004-2006 isnt a bad engine, but is prone to cam failure if you don't keep an eye on it. the 00-03 is the ALH engine and the 04-06 is the PD. The ALH is a rugged engine setup provided you maintain it properly and monitor the turbo boost.

I bought mine (2003 Beetle) with 50k on it. It now has 160K+ and all I have done is glow plugs and the 100k service which is new timing belt, water pump and idler pulleys. That is the one that if ignored will cost you a head and possibly a turbo. I replaced my clutch around 120k but it didn't need to be changed. I added power mods and my clutch would then slip in third at WOT. If i didn't add any power the stock clutch would still be in it today.

The TDI is a great power source, and has a whole forum of its own.

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

Good Info Pugs.. I actually found a 2001 for sale for like $1k that had snapped the timing belt and looked at what it would cost to replace the parts myself and it would have still come in at under $2k.. Very tempting.. If I can find something like that around tax return time I maybe adding another car to the drive way. haha

[Pugsley]

I bought a whole second beetle for 2k that was flipped in a ditch. the car was shot but I could squeeze in it and it would still "drive" so I got it for the engine. Removed it and am working now to put it on my sand rail. Have the adapter and clutch for it. Now I need to start doing the hard part, wiring. Then after that some fab work to get the plumbing done and a radiator mounted. Should be sweet when its done and I am thinking it might be able to get 60+mpg, but even with the decreased weight I think the drag at high speeds will keep it around 40 mpg. Who knows. When its done I will!

[normalicy]

I've been eyeballing a TDI as well. Thanks for the info Pugs.

[Pugsley]

Really the PD isn't bad as long as you keep up on the oil and check/replace the cam with a new one. After the cam its a great engine and has many improvements over the ALH. But the ALH is easier and cheaper to mod. Stock its 90hp and 150ish lb/ft and with a tune, injectors and a turbo (and clutch) you can get it in the 180-200 HP and 300-350 lb/ft. No replacing internals. After that point it starts getting expensive. And even with the extra power you won't consume extra fuel unless you request the extra power. So if you keep your foot out of it you can still get 50+ MPG and have a rocket ship when you need it.

I beat my car once for a full tank and it got 38 MPG! Driving like I stole it! The TDI is a great thing.

GM screwed the pooch when it comes to diesels in cars back in the 80's. They took a normal 350 and made it diesel. Needless to say it didn't work well at all. and ever since then Americans have had a sour taste in their mouths when it comes to diesels in cars.

[Koo Koo Mouse]

Well after all that saving Pugs, Buy a vidio camera and post on youtube. Seems your in to all this cool shit!.... Or don't.. Just sayin.

[Pugsley]

Funny you mention that my friend just got a gopro for his buggy and after seeing the video it takes I too am looking for one.

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

Funny you mention that my friend just got a gopro for his buggy and after seeing the video it takes I too am looking for one.

My cousin who is a desert racer has a gopro and he loves it. He uses it all the time..

[normalicy]

Looks like I'll be eyeballing a TDI quicker than expected. My wife's transmission just took a dump & it's not worth fixing.