|
Welcome to my homepage on the World Wide Web! Updated 12/19/08 - 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 type diesels (a 2004 Jetta GL PD TDI sedan and a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CDI). 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. I recently aquired a 1968 VW bug for restoration. My very first car was
a '68 and I am really looking forward to the project. Watch for progess on it's own page!!!
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 (AN ADDICTION THAT HAS NOW COST US 4000+ DEAD
AND 30,000+ WOUNDED SOLDIERS, MARINES AND SAILORS and possibly 100,000 Iraqis). 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 70% 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, gasoline powered 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, gasoline powered SUVs are exempt from the EPA standards that apply to cars (this is now changing
but the change will be slight). Their popularity only makes money for the auto makers (some luxury SUV's have a huge profit
margin, sometimes exceeding $6000 per vehicle) and makes the US more dependent on imported oil. Now GM and others are launching
much hyped "hybrid" SUVs. Unfortuntely, they are about as green as the original H1 Hummer or the current H3. The Chevy Tahoe
hybrid actually shows an increase of......hold your breath......2 miles per gallon, getting a whopping 21 mpg according to
early EPA testing. In some cases, the hybrid models actually get worse fuel economy than the non-hybrid version. In contrast,
my Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated at 23-25 mpg (depends on transmission and 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive) and does it with
out sacrificing towing capacity or requiring expensive batteries that will eventually need to be replaced. 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.
UPDATE 12/08: My how things have changed in just a few months! The price of gas went above
$4.00/gallon and then crashed to less than $2 as the economy has collapsed. Sales of SUVs and Pickup trucks have plummeted.
Ford/GM/Chrysler and even Toyota have shut down production of SUVs and Trucks but not because of the price of gasoline, but
now because people simply cannot afford to even consider buying one of these gas guzzlers. The Big 3 are now begging the
government for help to keep themselves in business despite their incredibly poor management and poor planning. So what is
next? Who knows, first we need to get out of this worldwide depression.
SUPPORT US ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE!!!
THINK MPG!!!!
|
 |
|
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 is now delivering a full line-up of cross-over and full size SUVs with their CDI Bluetech diesel
engine, the cleanest internal combustion engine currently available. Jeep has delivered its first common rail diesel Grand
Cherokees (I have one :^) ), unfortunately they have discontinued the Liberty CRD in the US and have decided not to make other
Jeep models, partucularly the Patriot, available with a diesel option in the US. Meanwhile Dodge/Freightliner are selling
thousands of the new Mercedes Sprinter diesel vans. VW has also announced that it will introduce its new CDI diesel engines
in the first quarter of 2008 and make it available in virtually all of its models, allowing customers a greater choice. UPDATE
12/08: VW begin delivery of the New Jetta common rail diesel and it has quickly soared as a best seller!!! Hurrah! To bad
it actually gets less MPG than my 2004! The car was just recently picked as the 2008 Green Car of the Year and has been getting
raves from the automobile magazines.
BIOFUELS - In terms of biodiesel, the first federal law encouraging the use of biodiesel has been passed
and more encouragement is expected in the future. Unfortunately, the rush to make ethanol from corn has lead to supply problems
and has encouraged the inflation of prices and shortages of food around the world. The current law was specifically written
to benefit major agricultural producers here in the U.S.. Ethanol from corn is a huge waste of energy and food! According
to National Geographic, it takes 1 unit of energy to produce 1.3 units of ethanol energy. Not a good trade off.
DISCLAIMER:
THIS SITE IS IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH VOLKSWAGEN USA OR VOLKSWAGEN AG.
|
|
|
|
Although some may think I have gone over to the "DARK SIDE", this is my 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CDR. This Jeep is powered
by a Mercedes Benz advanced common rail injection, V6 diesel engine (same engine that is in the M320 CDI and the C320 CDI).
We do a substantial amount of towing and this is the vehicle that will fit the bill. It gets relatively good fuel economy
for a vehicle its size: 17 city/24 highway and has plenty of power for towing. It also runs well on biodiesel. More on
this vehicle as we get more mileage on it.
|
| 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CDI |
Drop me a line, I am always interested in hearing from other diesel enthusiasts
|
|
|
|
|