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Welcome to my homepage on the World Wide Web! Updated 12/02/05 - A new year, a new internet provider and a change to the web
page but still the same basic message. Please feel free to stop by often in case of updates, also visit my other pages. I
am a big fan of VW diesel cars. My first new car was a 1978 Rabbit diesel. I currently own 2 of the new TDI diesels (a 1998
Jetta sedan and a 2004 Passat TDI). I have just finished rebuilding a 1981 Rabbit Pickup truck (turbodiesel) that will run
on biodiesel and diesel and later a home built WVO (waste vegetable oil) system. I make my own biodiesel to use in these cars.
Check out the biodiesel page that documents my procedure for making biodiesel (More on that in the right column). Feel free
to send me email comments if you like.
In light of the events of 9/11/01, many things seem to have lost some of their perceived importance. One thing that should
be clear, however, is that the United States is addicted to Middle Eastern Oil. During the oil shocks of the 1970's and 80's,
the US imported only around 45% of its oil. Today, the US imports over 56% of its oil from overseas as well as a large percentage
of refined products such as diesel and gasoline. We are more dependant on imported oil today than we were back then. Unfortunately,
instead of moving toward more fuel efficient cars, we are addicted to low mpg, high polluting SUV's. These vehicles consume
3-4 times as much fuel as a car and produce 3-10+ times the pollution per gallon of fuel consumed. This is because most truck
based SUVs are exempt from the EPA standards that apply to cars. Their popularity only makes money for the auto makers (SUV's
have a huge profit margin, sometimes exceeding $6000 per vehicle) and makes the US more dependent on imported oil. On the
other hand, modern diesel powered cars and the production of biodiesel from waste oil and seed oil could help the US cut its
dependance on those that hold the oil production. It is about time that we stop messing around and get busy with a real solution
to our energy problems.
SUPPORT US ENERGY INDEPENDENCE - THINK MPG NOT SUV!
As I have said, I am a big fan of diesel engines in cars. The US is far behind the rest of the world in recognizing the important
role diesel cars can play in the reduction of air pollution. A typical TDI type diesel engine produces less pollution than
most of the gas cars on the road (the exception being in particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen both of which could be
reduced with Ultra low sulfur fuel and advanced emission systems), without the need for any major changes in fuel delivery
systems. It is also important that people know that diesel fuel can be produced from a variety of grain and nut oils. This
fuel, called biodiesel, burns much cleaner than dinodiesel (slang for petroleum diesel) and can be produced on the industrial
scale or in your own garage. Check out my biodiesel site for information on my procedure and click on the links to find out
more. By the way, if you haven't driven one of the new generation diesels and don't know how fast and quiet they are, take
a trip to your local VW dealership and take a test drive. The drive will convince you...a car that has zip, power and can
still get 45 mpg. Thankfully other manufacturers have decided to follow VW's lead; Mercedes has brought a diesel car back
into the US and Jeep will soon deliver the first of its common rail diesel Liberties. Meanwhile Dodge/Freightliner are selling
thousands of the new Mercedes Sprinter diesel vans. In terms of biodiesel, the first federal law encouraging the use of biodiesel
has been passed and more encouragement is expected in the future. All of this bodes well for a country that is addicted to
Middle East Oil.
DISCLAIMER:
THIS SITE IS IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH VOLKSWAGEN USA OR VOLKSWAGEN AG.
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