How To Drive Green - Preparation

How To Drive Green - Preparation: By preparing your journey, from what you carry in the trunk, to what route you are specifically taking, you can drive greener and save a lot of energy. Decide if you even need to drive at all, and learn to live a greener life with your car.

Step 1:
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Driving green starts with preparation. Before you even open that door, make sure you know where you are going.
Having a plan will not only save you from having to ask for directions (beat) but you'll also save time, wasted miles and wasted gas.
Think this won't help? Guess again Magellan! Every gallon of gas releases 20 pounds of CO2 - the leading cause of global warming – into that air you are breathing.
Step 2:
PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD
For those nearby errands, leave the keys on the table, put one foot in front of the other and repeat on the way home.
Listen, you'll save gas! And, do this “walking thing” enough, and you'll end up reducing the “junk in your trunk” to boot! And speaking of that…
Step 3:
TOO MUCH JUNK IN THE TRUNK
You need to take a look at your “other trunk” too. Unless you really need to carry the bulk of your worldly possessions with you at all times, lighten the load. Extra weight. Extra work for the engine. Extra gas.
And since the average car in the US already emits over 10,000 pounds of CO2 a year – we DON'T need any extra fumes!
If you do these 3 simple things, you'll save gas, save money and, while you are at it, you'll be doing your part to save the planet.

How To Drive Green

How To Drive Green: VideoJug presents a helpful and informative guide on how to drive green. Here are some truly easy ways to help keep your car running green, allowing you to drive your way to a greener and cleaner future.

Step 1:
PREPARATION
Don't even think about leaving your driveway without taking some smart pre-start precautions…
Check your tire pressure. Not enough air and your engine has to work harder, using more fuel. And besides, you're also risking a blowout, so make sure to check your tires once a month.
Clean out your car to keep your weight down. All that extra junk-in-the-trunk means you'll have to use more gas to get a move on.
And get this: 1-gallon of gas releases 20 pounds of Carbon Dioxide, the leading cause of Global Warming.
Step 2:
MAINTANENCE
You don't need to be an Indy-500 pit mechanic to help your car run better. By keeping an eye on your engine, you can increase fuel efficiency by 15%, saving you money while helping the planet.
Check and see if your exhaust fumes are clear; dirty exhaust may be a sign that you're not burning fuel efficiently.
Next, check and change your oil regularly. And don't forget to recycle your oil.
Make sure your engine's belts are nice and tight... Check to see that you have enough water in the radiator, and make sure your air filter is clean, improving engine performance while decreasing your fuel needs.
All these simple things will keep your on the road and running clean!
Step 3:
PLANNING
Know where you're going and how to get there.
Not only will this eliminate the embarrassment of stopping and asking for directions, but it will keep you from burning excess fuel.
Don't drive around and waste gas – and your time! Drive to your furthest location first… then make your way back, hitting all of your other stops efficiently.
Gets your friends in on the action by carpooling…
And don't switch cars needlessly… An engine that's already warmed up runs more efficiently than one that's cold.
Step 4:
FILLING UP
Yep, even getting gas can be a waste of fuel… A gallon of gasoline weighs 6 pounds, adding to your car's weight. So only fill up your car if you are ¼ tank of gas or lower.
And don't make a special trip just to gas up… Visit the pumps while you're already on the road anyway.
Step 5:
DRIVING
The best way to gauge how “green” you drive is by checking your RPM's. Keeping them low means your car is using the least amount of fuel to get where you're going. So don't “gun it” off the line at a red-light… Take it nice and easy.
Try and avoid traffic… Don't get behind the wheel in bad weather… and give up on that constant quest for the perfect parking spot. Just pick the first one you find and walk. It's healthier for you and our planet.
And slow down! If you drive faster than 55 MPH, your fuel efficiently drops almost 15%. Easy there, Andretti.
Step 6:
STANDING STILL
Sitting still while your engine runs, or idling, is the easiest way to choke the planet. Idling a car for only 20 seconds emits more CO2 than just stopping and starting it again.
You can also avoid burning excess fuel by shifting into neutral at all stop lights.
Step 7:
ALTERNATIVES
Maybe it's time to buy a green car. These days, more and more carmakers sell hybrid vehicles, using gas and electricity… and now they've even make ones that run on ethanol and natural gas! These cars could save you up to $300 every year!
Or you could just take the bus. This would save you up to $500 a year on fuel and keep nearly 300 tons of CO2 from being spewed into our skies!
If you don't have very far to drive – ride your bike. You can burn up to 400 calories per hour.
Follow these simple steps and you can drive your way towards a greener, cleaner future.

How To Drive Green - Driving

How To Drive Green - Driving: VideoJug presents these tips for a greener way to run your car, whilst actually driving it. From the fuel to the type of car you buy, this Video has everything to help you truly drive green and do your bit to slow the global warming process.

Step 1:
FILL UP SMART
What you put in your tank and how you do so matters.

It takes more fossil fuels for oil companies to make higher octane fuels. And since most fuels today have an ethanol blend, you can stick with the lower grade fuels to keep the environment – and your car – happy.

And don't make special trips just to gas up. Do it on your way home! One less Saturday errand and less gas consumed.
Step 2:
AMERICAN IDLE
Don't just sit there with the engine running; you're choking the planet! Idling a car for only 20 seconds burns more gas and emits more CO2 than simply turning it off and starting it up again when you are actually ready to drive!
And, if you are stuck at a light, a RR crossing or in that lovely traffic, shift to neutral – over the course of a year you would be amazed at how much less CO2 will be emitted on your watch!
Step 3:
DON'T BE A LEAD FOOT
When you are hitting the gas and on the move, ease up lead foot!

First, don't take the term “Nascar Mom” literally. Slow down. Driving more than 55mph reduces your fuel efficiency by almost 15%.

Second, when you are at a light don't gun your engine. You may think you're looking cool but really you're just the fool wasting gas and poisoning the air.

Finally, save your drag racing fantasies for another day! Don't jack rabbit start or jump off the line when you get the green. Head out nice and easy and reduce your gas consumption. Your RPM's are a good indication of how smart you are driving. Red-lining your car is anything but “green” for the environment.
Step 4:
BUY A GREEN MACHINE
Maybe it's time to buy a green car. These days, more and more carmakers sell hybrid vehicles, using gas and electricity… and now they even make ones that run on ethanol and natural gas! These cars could save you up to $300 every year!

So, drive smart! Take your time, slow down and stop to smell the roses before global warming makes those roses harder and harder to find.

How To Drive Green - Maintenance

How To Drive Green - Maintenance: VideoJug shows you some simple car maintenance that will help you drive green. With these simple steps of car maintenance, your car, your money, and this little planet you're driving on, will last a lot longer. Drive green with VideoJug's help!

Step 1:
AIR PRESSURE
Start with your tires. Make sure your car is rolling safe and rolling green by checking your tire pressure at least once a month.

Too little air and your engine is working harder, burning more gas and making you a bigger bad guy when it comes to global warming.

Besides, improper tire pressure can cause traction problems and even blowouts, so be safe by making sure your tires are properly inflated.
Step 2:
CHANGE OIL
Make sure you check and change your oil regularly.

And when you do change your oil make sure you do the right thing by recycling it [or at least disposing of it properly.]

Taking better car of your car improves its fuel efficiency and this cuts down on CO2 levels big time.
Step 3:
UNDER THE HOOD
Making sure your fluids are fine, your belts are nice and tight and your air filter is clean will make for a happier engine, a heavier wallet and a healthier planet.

Most of all, running green is all about engine efficiency so make sure you do your regular maintenance.

By taking these basic steps, your car, your money, and this little planet you're driving on, will last a lot longer.

How To Drain And Wash Your Biodiesel

Even if you don't like chemistry, you can make your own fuel. The biodiesel homebrew process is easier than making beer! Draining out the glycerin from your processor and mist washing your biodiesel ensures you a clean burning and efficient batch of biodiesel homebrew. You can wash your biodiesel in just a few easy steps.

You Will Need
* A Biodiesel processor
* A batch of biodiesel
* Large plastic containers
* An Empty jar with screw on lid
* A Garden hose
* An Empty bucket

Step 1:
Drain The Glycerin
Take your large plastic container and place it under the reaction tank of your biodiesel processor. You may need a few of these containers, depending on the size of the batch of biodiesel. Unhook the hose from the processor and place it in the plastic container and open the valve on the bottom of the reaction tank. The dark glycerin will run out of the tank and into the container. This is the byproduct of your reaction and you want to drain it out until you see the color change from black to amber. At that point, all of the glycerin has been drained and you're ready to transfer the fuel to the wash tank.
Step 2:
Clean The Pump
Once all the glycerin has drained from the reaction tank and you have collected it in your containers, purge all the remaining glycerin from the pump by placing a bucket underneath the spout on the bottom of the pump and opening up the valve. Start the transfer by turning on the pump. The oil will make its way up, from the processor to the wash tank. Wait several minutes as the wash tank fills up.
Step 3:
Shake Test
Replace the bucket underneath the pump with an empty testing jar and open the valve on the pump. Fill the jar with half water and half biodiesel. Screw on the lid and give it three solid shakes. Set the jar on a flat surface and wait five minutes. While the shake test is not an absolute indicator of your fuel quality, you'll know if it will be an easy wash.
When the solution settles, you will see an intermediate layer called emulsion between the biodiesel and water. The smaller the layer, the easier your wash will be.
Step 4:
Mist Wash
There are a couple ways to wash your biodiesel. The mist wash is very effective in removing any leftover methanol, potassium hydroxide, glycerin or soaps from the reaction process.
Using fine misting heads, begin adding water into the biodiesel. Looking down in the tank, you can see the misting process. As the mist washing begins, tiny water droplets fall through the biodiesel and bring all the leftover chemicals and catalysts to the bottom of the tank. After several wash cycles, the wash water will be very clear.
Step 5:
Remove Water
Before you begin drying your biodiesel homebrew, all of the standing water must be removed from the drying tank. Depending on your processor style, you may need to transfer the "wet" biodiesel to another barrel to dry and prevent standing water from remaining in the tank.
Use a pump to circulate the biodiesel in the drying tank and spray it against the side of the tank to increase the surface area of the biodiesel. Use a small fan to move air across the surface of the biodiesel. This will cause water to evaporate more quickly. Make sure it is a gentle breeze as high velocity air will blow small droplets of biodiesel around the vicinity of the processor. You can also heat the biodiesel to cause it to dry more quickly. Wait twelve hours and your batch of biodiesel will be ready to transfer and use.

How To Prepare Used Cooking Oil For Biodiesel

Follow these simple steps and learn how you can save yourself some money, yard work and the environment. An educational video that explains how to prepare used cooking oil for biodiesel.

You Will Need
* Used cooking oil
* Filter
* Collection barrel
* Biodiesel processor
* Tank thermometer

Step 1:
Collect Your Oil
You can spend the extra money and buy new cooking oil or you can find a restaurant and ask them if you can take their used cooking oil off their hands. Used cooking oil will have a darker color to it and will most likely have chunks of your favorite fried foods floating around. You will need to get rid of these before making biodiesel homebrew.
Step 2:
Chunk Removal
Filtering your used cooking oil will eliminate the chunks of food and other particles before your begin your biodiesel homebrew process. Larger chunks can contain water and can mess up your biodiesel reaction. Smaller suspended particles should also be allowed to settle so they doesn't attach to your heating element and muck up your processor.
As you pour out your used cooking oil let it completely run through the filter. The filter doesn't need to be too fine. A paint strainer or window screen will adequately remove the particles that are large enough to affect the biodiesel reaction. You will notice large chunks of fried mystery food collecting in the filter. This filtration process can be fairly quick, but you can let the filtered biodiesel settle anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days to let the smaller particles settle out. Once settling is complete, begin transferring your used cooking oil to the reaction tank on your processor.
Step 3:
Tank Transfer
Take the hose that connects the collection barrel to the reaction tank on your biodiesel compressor and connect it to the pump. Open up the valve on the reaction tank and open the valve on the bottom of the collection barrel. To activate the transfer, simply turn on the pump on your processor.
You will notice the dark, used cooking oil traveling out of the bottom of the collection barrel, through the pump, through the processor and up into the hose that empties into the reaction tank.
Step 4:
The Heat Is On
As your cooking oil makes it's way into the reaction tank, you need to heat up the oil to about 120 or 130 degrees Fahrenheit. During the heating process, the pump on your compressor will circulate the oil. Circulating and heating the oil distributes the heat and prevents the oil from getting too hot right near the heating element. This heating and circulation process will take approximately one to four hours, depending on how much oil you are heating, the initial temperature of the oil, the outside air temperature, insulation on the processor and how powerful your heating element.

How To Mix Your Biodiesel

Follow these easy steps to find out how you can measure your catalyst correctly, safely mix it into the methanol and add the mixture to your oil to make your biodiesel.

You will need
* Face shield
* Rubber gloves
* Potassium hydroxide
* Plastic bowl
* Funnel
* Large plastic container with valve
* Methanol
* Scale
* Biodiesel processor
* Water

Step 1:
Safety First
You are working with some chemicals and vapors that could be dangerous if handled incorrectly. It is very important for you to wear the proper safety equipment and work in a well-ventilated area. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and face shield at all times. The tiny dust particles in the Potassium Hydroxide could cause irritation and damage if inhaled. The face shield and dusk mask will help keep the dust particles and any chemical splash away from your face.
Step 2:
Measure The Catalyst
For each liter of oil you're going to turn into biodiesel, you need seven grams of Potassium Hydroxide. In addition to that, you need to add "extra" grams of Potassium Hydroxide equal to the titration. To break it down nice and easy: if your oil titrates at 2, you need 7 plus 2 or 9 grams of Potassium Hydroxide for each liter of oil. Place the plastic container on the scale and fill it with the correct amount of Potassium Hydroxide.
Step 3:
Mix The Methoxide
When you have measured out the amount of Potassium Hydroxide you will need for your batch of biodiesel, grab your funnel and place it on the container with the Methanol. Make sure the amount of Methanol you use is 20% to 22% of the original volume of your batch of oil. Pour in the Potassium Hydroxide and let it settle. Place the valve cap on the container of Methanol.
As the Potassium Hydroxide dissolves into the Methanol, the mixture will heat up and boil. Bubbles will appear on the bottom of the plastic container. Hold the plastic container away from you and open the valve to release the vapor pressure. These vapors can be very dangerous if inhaled, so keep the end of the container an arm's length away from your face shield as you release the vapors. Release the vapors about every 20 seconds until the Potassium Hydroxide is completely dissolved. You can tell by looking at the bottom of the container. Once dissolved, you can add this “methoxide” to the oil in your processor.
Step 4:
Add Methoxide To The Heated Oil
The oil in your processor should be heated to somewhere between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit before you add the methoxide. The heat cannot rise above 140 degrees Fahrenheit because it will cause the methanol to boil. Slowly add the methoxide into the processor. it should be added relatively slowly; taking about five or ten minutes to add into the oil through an inlet to the pump.
Your oil will change from dark to light in color as it leaves the pump. Let the methoxide mix with the oil for 1.5 to 2 hours.
Step 5:
Pre-Wash
After the methoxide and oil mixes for a couple hours, turn on the pump and add water to the mixture to complete the prewash. You need 5% of the original oil volume and let the water circulate in the tank for about 15 minutes. so if you have 40 gallons of oil you need two gallons of water.
Done.

How To Make Pop Bottle Biodiesel

Making biodiesel fuel is easier than you think, using items available at most supermarkets. See how, and learn some interesting facts about diesel power!

Step 1:
The history of biodiesel:
In 1898 Rudolf Diesel was granted a US patent for his invention of the diesel engine. But did you know his original intention was for his engine to run of biodiesel? He even marketed his invention to American farmers as a way for them to grow their own fuel.
Step 2:
Ingredients of biodiesel:
The process of making biodiesel is quite easy. So easy that you can make biodiesel fuel using inexpensive materials you can buy at the grocery store.
The three ingredients you will need are methanol which is used and a common product for removing water product from your fuel line, sodium hydroxide commonly known as lye, and any type of vegetable oil. You will want to work outdoor with an open space with adequate ventilation. And take proper precautions such as wearing gloves and protective eyewear.And of course, don’t sniff a breath of fumes. In other words, use common sense in following and follow the same precautions that are listed on the labels.
Step 3:
Method for creating biodiesel:
First, we use a glass container like this one that I pre-measured and add 1 cup or 250 milliters of methanol then, add 1/2 teaspoon of lye using airtight lid and swirl or stir it until the lye is completely dissolved.Next, use 4 cups of new vegetable oil; heat the oil to up to 60 degrees centigrade or 140 degrees Fahrenheit.Use the funnel to pour the heated oil into a 2-liter plastic bottle. Then, add the methanol-lye mixture. Tightly close the lid and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
Step 4:
How it works:
Through a process called ‘transesterification’, you will see a dark layer of glycerin forming beneath a lighter layer. Biodiesel fuel is the trans fatty acids in the oil or strip of 1-molecule of glycerin which was replaced by 3 molecules of alcohol.Over the next couple of days, you will see your biodiesel become clearer as all the glycerin settles. Biodiesel fuel will work in any modern diesel engine without any modification. It has substantially reduced carbon emissions and will better lubricate and extend the life of engines over petro-based diesel fuel.
Step 5:
Advantages of biodiesel:
Biodiesel can be made just as easily from used oil. And with over 30 million gallons of waste oil being generated by fast food restaurants, it only makes sense that we put this to good use. There are a growing number of individuals around the world that do just that and run their vehicles off of nothing but biodiesel fuel.
Step 6:
Fulfilling a dream.
Rudolf Diesel was a visionary, and it is good to see his dream finally being realized. He stated, “The use of vegetable oils for engine fuel may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in the course of time as important as petroleum” pretty amazing words spoken almost a century ago.

How To Save Money On Gas

Check out these five simple ways to drive smarter, lowering your gas bill. Learn to drive smarter, save money, and protect the environment by reducing your gas expenditure.

Step 1:
Cash Cap
Make sure your gas cap is securely tightened.
Step 2:
Pump It Up
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. The proper tire pressure can be found on the inside of your car door.
Step 3:
Breathe Easy
Have your air filter checked whenever you change your oil.
Step 4:
Stay In Tune
Have your trusted mechanic check out your engine every six months or so.
Step 5:
Filler Down
Unless you are going on a long road trip, keep your tank between half full and empty.

Can Cars Really Run On Water?

Americans are fuming about gas prices. We need two things; someone to blame and a quick, easy solution. Nobody wants to take the blame, but this is America! So entrepreneurs offering solutions are already lining up. One of the most interesting options is the “Run Your Car On Water” concept.

Online sellers will send you the information and/or the parts you need to convert your car to run on water. They claim their systems are easy to install. It’s all perfectly legal, and it almost works. And they claim it only costs $100 to $300.

Conspiracy and Confusion
Conversion kit sellers claim oil companies have tried to keep the water-as-fuel technology a secret. And of course, frustrated drivers are all too ready to believe it.

“Run Your Car On Water” promoters also associate their products with hydrogen fuel cells, which are indeed a bona fide energy source. But the conversion kits are just playing at this technology, and the results are negligible.

The idea that your car “runs on water” is a bit of a misnomer. The conversion kits don’t actually promise to replace gasoline with water. They only claim to make your gasoline engine more efficient.

The system draws electricity produced by your engine and runs it through a jug of water. As you may have learned in high school, an electric current separates water into its two elements: hydrogen and oxygen. Conversion kits don’t do this very effectively, so their sellers claim only that the systems create something called “HHO gas.” That gas is then carried to the engine’s air intake, sucked into the engine and, hopefully, burned.

Trouble is, the amounts of hydrogen and oxygen produced in this process are fairly insignificant. Since gasoline engines aren’t designed to burn anything besides gasoline, spitting other elements into their intakes isn’t entirely proven to help. In fact, it may even have unintended consequences, including corrosion and other potential engine troubles.

Real Answers
The answers to the tough questions about high gas prices aren’t as simple as a gas gimmick. What really got us into this mess, and how tough are the real solutions?

Biodiesel is a practical, gasoline-free way to run your car. Learn more about how to convert your car to run on biodiesel, and how to produce and store the fuel yourself.

And while you decide whether or not purchasing a conversion kit like this is right for you, try doing the best with what you already have.

Finally, remember the good things:
1. You’re not alone. High gas prices are democratic. Everybody pays them.
2. Traffic is down, so when you do drive, you’re less likely to be stuck in a jam.
3. Most importantly, after decades of ignoring a serious issue, we’re finally facing the energy shortage head-on. This is bound to lead to solutions. Water conversion kits may not be the answer, but they’re a sign Americans are willing to consider any possibilities when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Biodiesel

What is 'biodiesel'?
Biodiesel is a relatively clean burning fuel that can be derived from a number of different things, but it is mainly made from vegetable oils. It can be used to power vehicles and generators. It can be used as a home heating oil. Basically anything that you use regular petroleum diesel for, biodiesel can be used as an alternative.

Is biodiesel the same thing as vegetable oil?
Biodiesel is not the same thing as vegetable oil. It's derived from vegetable oil, but in the process of producing biodiesel, it becomes chemically different from the vegetable oil.

How is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel can be made from a number of sources. It's mainly made from vegetable oil, whether that's virgin vegetable oil or from used cooking oils. It can also be made from animal fats. For the purposes of this discussion, most people make it from used cooking oil, on the home-brew scale, or from virgin vegetable oil of some kind, on the industrial scale.

How does the use of biodiesel help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas because, although it produces carbon dioxide when it's burned, that carbon dioxide was taken from the atmosphere relatively recently by a plant that would then produce oil that was then turned into biodiesel. So, although there's tailpipe emissions that include greenhouse gases, those greenhouse gases don't increase the overall amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

What are some of the benefits of using biodiesel?
Other benefits of using biodiesel include that it reduces our dependence on imported oil, which is always good from an energy independent standpoint that we can use what's grown locally. Biodiesel's also good for diesel engines. It provides good lubricating properties. It can also be mixed with regular diesel in the event that you run out of your regular biodiesel, or are in an area where you can't purchase biodiesel.

What are some of the drawbacks of using biodiesel?
There are two main drawbacks to using biodiesel. One is that many of the newer car warranties don't allow for the use of biodiesel. Another is that if you decide that you are going to make your own biodiesel it can be relatively time-consuming and it can potentially be a little bit messy.

Do I need to convert my car's engine to run on biodiesel?
That's a common misconception. In order to run straight vegetable oil in your vehicle, you need to make modifications to the diesel engine in order to be able to do that. Biodiesel is different. It can be run in an unmodified diesel engine. There's no need to change anything at all.

Biodiesel Homebrew

Can I make my own biodiesel?
You can definitely make your own biodiesel. In order to do it, you need to build a processor to make it in. You need to get used cooking oil, or some other source of oil to derive the biodiesel from. You need methanol; a catalyst of some sort, which is either potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. In addition to that, you need all the proper safety equipment as well as check into what your local laws and regulations are regarding making it.

What are the drawbacks to making my own biodiesel?
The drawbacks to making biodiesel is that it requires a significant amount of work. Not only to build the processor and to collect the oil and to collect all the ingredients and supplies that you need, it's also potentially messy. You have got to be really careful when you're doing it and you can end up with some vegetable oil all over yourself or all over the garage. Those kind of things don't appeal to some people, so those are some of the potential drawbacks.

Can biodiesel damage my car's engine?
Most diesel engines can run on biodiesel without any trouble. I have heard of some diesel engines that are a little finicky and don't really like it. You should definitely check around and talk to some people who are using it. There is a bunch of online forums that you can ask questions about it. For your particular make or model of vehicle, definitely check. I haven't heard of anyone having damage to their diesel engine as a result of using biodiesel.

Is biodiesel cost effective?
Biodiesel is definitely cost effective, especially if you make your own. The materials cost are only about a dollar per gallon. If you're going to buy it commercially, the cost of biodiesel is really close to the current cost of petroleum diesel, and so for just slightly more you can get the environmental benefits that come along with diesel and biodiesel as well.

Where can I purchase biodiesel?
There are more and more regular gas stations that are carrying biodiesel, so keep an eye out for it in your community or check on the internet. You can probably find stations in your area that carry it. There's also ways that you can get together with other people to do a homebrew cooperative where a lot of people work together to make their own biodiesel. There's also other types of cooperatives - if there's no biodiesel available in your community then you can purchase a large quantity of it at somewhat commercial scale, and then a group of people can get together and split that up.