Fuel Ez

The Muscular 2010 Nissan Armada 5.6-Liter V8 Engine

The Armada, Nissan’s full-size SUV, returns for 2010 with no changes to its standard V8 engine.

The Armada’s 5.6-liter, 32-valve DOHC engine is known as the VK56DE. Based on the layout of Nissan’s VQ-series V6, it is a 90-degree V8 with an aluminum block and heads, iron cylinder liners, forged steel connecting rods, and molybdenum-coated pistons to reduce internal friction. It uses Nissan’s Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) on the intake valves, with a variable intake manifold to improve low-end torque. Designed specifically for truck and SUV use, the VK56DE engine is shared by the Nissan Pathfinder, Titan, and Infiniti QX56. In the Armada, it produces 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque.

When the Armada debuted in 2004, its 5.6-liter V8 was the most powerful engine in its class, and it gives the Armada strong acceleration and passing power. Rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia now offer similar power, but the Armada still has class-leading towing capacity of up to 9,100 pounds. The VK56DE engine is smooth, but never entirely quiet. Some critics like its burbling exhaust note and throaty roar, but others find it too noisy.

Predictably, the big V8 is thirsty, even by full-size SUV standards. EPA estimated fuel economy is only 12/18 city/highway, which reviewers say is optimistic. Unlike the more highly tuned version of this engine in the Infiniti QX56, the Armada uses regular fuel.

In certain Midwestern, Southern, and Southeastern markets, Nissan offers a flexible-fuel version of this engine, capable of running on either gasoline or alternative fuels like E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. According to the EPA, using E85 reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 23%, but makes the 5.6-liter engine thirstier than ever. EPA fuel economy estimates on E85 are a dismal 9/13.

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SFI 4.8L V8 Engine

Many new engine options are available for the new 2010 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500,however, the basic baseline engine is still available. While hybrid technology and E85 fueling options are becoming popular, the GM development team has decided to keep their reliable 4.3 V6 in the basic regular cab and crew cab models standard.

The technology used in the 4.3 V6 has not changed much for the 2010 model year. Boasting 195hp @ 4600rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque @ 2800 rpm, the 4.3 V6 provides adequate power for light to medium duty applications. With the engine mated to the standard 4-speed automatic transmission, the baseline Chevrolet Silverado has an estimated fuel mileage of 15 MPG city and 20 MPG highway.

Although many reports state that the 4.3 V6 used in the new 2010 model accelerates sluggishly, towing capacity has increased slightly to an impressive 9100 lbs. While for nearly 00 more, a prospective customer can choose the Vortec 4.8L SFI 4.8L V8 , fuel economy is at an average loss of 1 MPG city but remains the same for highway driving when compared to the baseline V6 configuration with the 4 wheel drive option . The towing capacity, unfortunately, with respect to the 4.8L SFI 4.8L V8, is considerably less than the 4.3 V6. The 4-wheel drive 4.3 V6 option for the Chevrolet Silverado utilizes a manual shift on the fly transfer case while the other optional engine configurations use the new Autotrac active transfer case.

While the 4.3 V6 is only available with the standard cab and long bed variations of the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado, reliability and affordability is the main goal attributed to this baseline model. For base price of approximately ,000, GM has now become a formidable competitor once again in truck sales.

Check Out the Hybrid Vortec Engine In The 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe

The new 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid features a Vortec 6.0 liter V-8 engine that is combined with dual 60 kilowatt electric motors that are located inside an electrically variable transmission. This gasoline engine and electric motor combination produces an astounding 332 horsepower and 367 pound feet of torque.

The EPA fuel efficiency rating on the Vortec 6.0 liter engine is excellent. The fuel rating on the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is an estimated 21 miles per gallon of gasoline when driving in city driving conditions; 22 miles per gallon of gasoline when driving in highway driving conditions; and 22 miles per gallon of gasoline when driving in combination conditions in the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe models that feature rear wheel drive.

One of the reasons that the all new 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid has such a good fuel rating for a vehicle with a V-8 sized engine is due to the Flex Fuel feature that is on this vehicle. The Tahoe Hybrid has the ability to reach speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour using just the electric motors. The v8′s cylinder deactivation system that is featured on the Vortec 6.0 liter engine, helps to reduce the amount of fuel used when operating the vehicle at speeds higher than 30 miles per hour. Thanks to regenerative braking, the batteries are replenished by having the ability to capture energy that is normally lost when coming to a stop.

The Vortec 6.0 gasoline engine that Chevrolet has chosen to install on their base model 2010 Tahoe Hybrid models, operates on a 10.8 to 1. This model also features an overhead valve, variable valve timing camshaft and has two valves per cylinder. There is a multi point injection fuel system that operated on regular unleaded gasoline. The 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid base model also comes equipped with a 24 gallon fuel tank capacity. This puts the fuel range in miles on this vehicle to be between 504 to 528 miles per tank of gasoline.The

Check Out the Engine Options for the 2010 GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon XL is a large sports utility vehicle which has been sold and produced by the General Motors Corporation, under various brand names, since 1935. The 2010 GMC Yukon comes with three engine options. The first engine option which comes standard in both the SLT and SLE Yukon trims was a 4.8-liter, V6 engine. This six-cylinder engine produces horsepower of 295, which for many consumers does not provide enough engine performance.

The next upgrade option, which comes standard on the 2010 GMC XL, is a 5.3-liter, V6 engine. This six-cylinder engine does not produce too much more power than the 4.8-liter option, but produces horsepower of 320 and torque of 340 pound feet. This engine can come with a flex fuel option, which allows for the driver to fuel the Yukon XL with E85 fuel. To further save on fuel costs, the 5.3-liter engine comes standard with GMC’s Active Fuel Management system that automatically turns off 4 of the engine’s 8 cylinders when the car is idling or cruising. Both the 4.8-liter engine and 5.3-liter engine options come standard with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The third engine option for the 2010 GMC Yukon is a 6.2-liter, eight cylinder engine. This 6.2-liter engine comes standard on the 2010 GMC Yukon Denali and produces horsepower of 403 and torque of 417 pound feet. The 2010 Yukon Denali comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Because of GMC’s Active Fuel Management System, fuel efficiency for the 2010 GMC Yukon XL has improved. With the 5.3-liter engine, the GMC Yukon XL gets and EPA estimated 21 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in the city. This is about a 10% increase over 2009 EPA estimates.

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Biodiesel Extend The Life Of Your Diesel Engine

Biodiesel can extend the life of your engine whether it is in your diesel equipped auto, truck, tractor, bus or highway rig. Biodiesel can increase the longevity of your engine by up to 100 %. Costs are reduced – whether it be for maintenance or vehicle replacement. The engine last longer , breaks down less frequently resulting in longer vehicle life spans , greater reliability and overall less vehicle costs – again be it diesel equipped auto , car, truck ,tractor or highway rig.

How can this be so? The improved lubrication properties of biodiesel over regular vehicle diesel fuel results in increased parts longevity by up to 100 %. As a result commercial vehicles may be used for decades as well as travel millions of miles. Increased engine longevity translates into reduced maintenance costs, longer life spans and overall increases in reliability.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and cooking oils that are processed so that it can be added to diesel fuel as an additive. You cannot just mash up these fats and mix them with your diesel fuel. It is not as if any old Alvero character can make biodiesel in his garage at home. If the biodiesel is not prepared properly in a qualified industrial process – the contaminants of water, glycerols and other trace elements can well clog up your fuel injectors or even an expensive injection pump. Properly done biodiesel is a safe and beneficial fuel additive – now being routinely recommended and touted by major vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers.

Prepared properly in a commercial setting. and bought commercially you can be assured that not only will the biodiesel will be safe for your engine to use – but will even give the benefits of much greater engine life , enhanced reliability and lower maintenance costs overall.

Biodiesel is added to the regular diesel fuel. The percentage added depends on the climate the vehicles or autos will be used in. In warmer climates – such as tropical or Florida type climates – a percentage mixture of up to 20 % can be used. A 20 % biodiesel percentage in a truck driven up North to Edmonton Canada in the cold of winter will thicken up in the cold Alberta winter weather.

In such a cold winter temperature a biodiesel mixture ratio of 5 % would probably be used. To increase the blends of biodiesel used commercial vehicles such as trucks and busses can have fuel heaters installed – either inline fuel heaters of fuel tank heaters.

Why go to all this trouble for biodiesel ? First of all biodiesel is a renewable resource – crops such as soybean oil or canola can be used instead of scarcer and more expensive petroleum oil based products. Using biodiesel doe mean that we use less regular diesel, however the percentages of biodiesel use are relatively small. For example most diesel manufacturers recommend only 5 biodiesel (B5 mixed wit 95 % regular diesel. Of course again in colder climates such as Edmonton Alberta the percentages may be eve less. Biodiesel is also good for reducing emissions and pollution levels of sulphur, carbon monoxide as well as overall tailpipe smog pollutants.

However as with most good things in life there are disadvantages to the use of biodiesel as a vehicle fuel additive. First biodiesel has slightly less energy than regular diesel fuel, so that the larger the percentage content of the Biodisel in the fuel – the less power the engine will have to deliver. Fortunately at the low percentages of biodiesel being used as a fuel additive this is not a major issue.

In addition biodiesel spoils with time. If the biodiesel is too be stored for a long period of time – then additional additives must be added.

As a result of its benefits to reducing petroleum oil use and increasing engine life and reliability biodiesel has a bright and emerging future in our transportation and automotive industries.

The use of biodiesel – an alternative renewable fuel, is fast on its way up.

Hyundai Dealers In Indianapolis Ready For New Fuel Efficient Engine, Standard With Future Model Theta

It seems like money has been spread thin these days, and the same feeling rings true across the automotive industry. But automakers have to do something to heat up sales, and you have to spend money to make it. That is why manufacturers across the board are pouring money into the development of new, cutting-edge engine technologies. Consumer and business focus has shifted towards the new generation of driving, including smaller model vehicles and models that employ hybrid technology.

While the developments seem to be rolling in slower than consumer demand for higher quality, more affordable and more fuel efficient models, the industry has shown a consistent response to the changing dynamic. Hyundai is trying to break its way to the forefront of the engine technology revolution. You’ll still find the same quality Hyundai vehicles at your Indianapolis used Hyundai dealership, but pretty soon drivers will have a chance to leverage unmatched engine technology as part of the new Hyundai platform.

Over the past few years, Hyundai has been in the process of developing its Theta II gasoline direct-injection 2.4-liter engine, offering advanced powertrain technology to achieve a higher fuel rating. When the new engine hits the market, Indianapolis used Hyundai dealerships will feature all but obsolete vehicles. The new engine was developed over a 46 month long period, running the manufacturer 5 million in costs. Regardless, the technology truly does stand as a new innovation in the face of your Indianapolis used car dealer.

This four-cylinder engine is state-of-the-art, combining gasoline direct injection technology, dual continuously variable valve timing and variable induction system technology to form a platform that will rival any other engine on the market. But you won’t find this new innovative engine at Indianapolis used Hyundai dealerships; in the next few years, you’ll have to head to a new car dealer to get a test-drive. The Theta II technology will make its debut in the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, a car that builds on previous models found at your Indianapolis used car dealer to create a platform of dependability and low total cost of ownership.

For the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, drivers can take advantage of horsepower ranging from 198 to 200 (depending on your trim level choice) that rides on a fuel efficient platform, offering a segment-leading 35 miles per gallon. That’s some serious fuel efficiency – a number that, as of now, you won’t find by visiting your Indianapolis used Hyundai dealer. Six-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions are both available on the brand new Hyundai Sonata, offering area drivers the ultimate in flexibility. In the next several years, we should see Hyundai putting this new engine technology to work across its entire line of models.

The new Theta II technology is just another step in the quick progression the auto industry is making towards absolute fuel efficiency. Keep your eyes open over the coming months for more new innovations from manufacturers across the board, who are embracing the industry call for a completely eco-friendly drive.

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2010 Cadillac SRX Gets a Flex Fuel Engine

Cadillac has redesigned the SRX for the 2010 model year, and the basis of the new 2010 SRX is the refined 3.0 liter six cylinder engine. Cadillac has designed this engine to run on either premium unleaded gasoling or the E85 ethanol/gasoline mixture. The engine also features variable valve timing and a direct injection system that feeds a dual overhead cam valve train. All of this technology enables the engine to produce two hundred sixty-five horsepower at six thousand nine hundred fifty revolutions per minute and two hundred twenty-three pounds of torque at five thousand one hundred revolutions per minute. And all of this power comes with good gas mileage. The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that the SRX will return eighteen miles per gallon in the city and twenty-five miles per gallon on the highway.
The power is sent through a six speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or all of the wheels. The all wheel drive system is a carryover from the previous generation SRX, and has received rave reviews from both customers and critics alike. Standard equipment on the SRX include a dual-zone climate control system, a keyless remote system, a Bose audio system that features both a CD player and MP3 capability, power doors, power locks, power mirrors, and power steering. Safety features on the SRX include front and rear anti-lock brakes, standard traction control, and a bevy of air bags. Buyers of the SRX will find air bags for both the driver and passenger, along with head curtain, rear curtain, and side air bags for all of the passengers. Whether it is performance, safety, or comfort, Cadillac has packed the SRX with a variety of features to satisfy any consumer.

Toyota in Top Fighting Form, Reveals Plans to Revamp Engine Lineup

Toyota Motor Corp. has unseated General Motors Corp. as the world’s biggest carmaker last year instead of in 2007, as industry observers have earlier predicted.

Detroit-based weekly Automotive News, whose data centre publishes a widely quoted ranking of the world’s automakers, said Japan’s top carmaker outsold GM by about 128,000 units last year based on a technicality that excludes sales of vehicles at minority-held subsidiaries.

It is now the world’s current number one automaker, but Toyota – maker of top of the line Toyota oxygen sensor — is not about to rest on its laurels.

On Tuesday announced the development of new engine technology that promises to mark a major step in the evolution of the gas engine. The giant Japanese automaker confirmed that it plans to completely revamp its gasoline engine and transmission lineup by the end of the decade.

The move comes in the middle of the domestic automakers’ frantic scrambling to come up with new, more competitive global engines, with Chrysler Group’s new Phoenix family of V6 engines being a major case in point. A report from Inside Line is saying that diesels may be a component of the future engine and transmission lineup for Toyota.

Toyota on Tuesday introduced a next-generation engine valve mechanism called “Valvematic” that according to the company improves fuel efficiency by 5-10 percent, and reduces CO2 emissions and boosts output by at least 10 percent. The automaker said it will “introduce Valvematic shortly, starting with a new vehicle model featuring a 2.0-liter engine.”

Toyota said Valvematic “further evolves the gasoline engine” by not only paying attention to green concerns but by also “enhancing acceleration responsiveness.

The company’s plans to produce more technologically advanced, environmentally vehicles are as released in a company news release, involve:

Revamping of entire gasoline engine and transmission lineup

TMC plans to completely revamp its gasoline engine and transmission lineup by 2010 in an effort that started with the development of a new type of V6 engine in 2003. As part of this effort, a new 1.8-liter gasoline engine (see below for details) and continuously variable transmission have been developed as the main powertrain for Toyota compact and midsize passenger vehicles. This new powertrain—to be introduced in new-model vehicles due out in the fall of 2006—is intended to reduce CO2 emissions through high fuel efficiency and to achieve cleaner exhaust emissions.

TMC achieved the Japanese government’s 2010 fuel efficiency standards in all weight categories of Toyota vehicles ahead of schedule in 2005.

As a target for 2010, TMC aims to achieve emissions levels that are 75% lower than the 2005 emissions standards*3 and to exceed the level called for by the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards by 10% or more for most passenger vehicle.

Making hybrid vehicles more widespread and developing new technologies

TMC aims to make hybrid vehicles more widespread by doubling the number of hybrid models by the early years of the 2010s.

TMC will advance its research and development of plug-in hybrid vehicles (which can be charged from an external power source and provide electricity) and is currently working on a next-generation vehicle that can extend the distance traveled by the electric motor alone and that is expected to have a significant effect on reducing CO2 and helping to abate atmospheric pollution.

Initiatives toward the diversification of energy sources

Regarding TMC’s introduction of bioethanol-compatible vehicles, TMC has achieved the technology necessary to allow all TMC gasoline engines to run reliably on gasoline with 10 percent bioethanol content. TMC plans to introduce to the Brazilian market (where bioethanol fuel is widely used) flex-fuel vehicles*4 that can run on 100 percent ethanol in the spring of 2007. For the United States, TMC is considering introducing flex-fuel vehicles in consideration of policies to promote bioethanol fuels.

TMC plans to further its development of fuel cell passenger vehicles and has successfully reduced by a large margin the time required for sub-zero fuel-cell-system startup and has achieved system startup at minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Toyota is definitely in top fighting form.

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Hydrogen Engine Conversion

What is Hydrogen Fuel Injection?

Alright, I will attempt to not get too techy when describing things.  Basically, a hydrogen fuel injection engine is when the systems of your car engine inject either a mixture of hydrogen-enriched fuel, or pure hydrogen into the intake of your engine.  A lot of the time this is accomplished by combining an air/fuel mixture like the former description.  The more the hydrogen intake the easier it is for the engine to operate with a leaner and purer air/fuel mix.

Why is this important to you?

This is of great concern to many of you out there because the leaner and purer mix of fuel you can run your vehicle with the more miles per gallon (MPG) you will be able to achieve.  To speak in English for a moment.  If you can successfully implement a hydrogen engine conversion you are going to be getting a ton more mileage for your money.  The reason for this article is to give you an introduction into the possibility of hydrogen engine conversion that will help you get up to 2 to 3 times the gas mileage you currently get.  I want people to understand and educate themselves on something that has only been vaguely spoken of in the media and elsewhere. 

Can you convert your engine to a hydrogen engine?

The answer, despite what you may have been led to believe, is yes!  You can indeed implement a full hydrogen engine conversion to your now obsolete gas driven engine.  This technology has actually been around for decades.  It has only been recently with the coming of the internet and the information age that individuals are able to learn how to convert to a hydrogen engine. 

This is not a process I can explain easily in this article. So, I want to provide you all with a link to a website that will explain everything you need to know about this process. Follow this link on Hydrogen Engine Conversion to find out more about this revolution that is occuring in the private automotive industry. I would highly suggest you have a look because so far the auto companies are attempting to stay clear of this technology pureley for political and profit motives.

Dual-fuel Rotary Engine From Mazda

Mazda Motor Corp., a Japanese automotive manufacturer, has planned to shift from fossil fuel to renewable resources through the dual-version of its rotary engine. To reduce the risk of abnormal combustion or detonation, the rotary was sustained with separate chambers for the intake and combustion strokes, making it ideal for hydrogen-fuel use.

The engine went through a test in an experimental RX-8, driven at Mazda’s sprawling Hiroshima manufacturing complex. The venue is considered one of the world’s largest plants, considering that it sits on 2.2 million square meters. The test has proven the engine to possess decent fuel consumption. The 110 liters of hydrogen stored in two tanks pressurized to 5,000 psi has been consumed in 100 kilometers of driving. And, the 61 liter gasoline tank enables the vehicle to run up to 600 km.

An impressive side of the engine comes from the capability of the gasoline tank to be filled with just about any liquid fuel. That means the RX-8 could be powered with E85, a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline.

The test has also proven two things. First, the twin hydrogen injectors in each of the two cylinders efficiently worked, creating no deterioration in the operating characteristics. The idle is relatively smooth along with the engine that provides linear pull as the revs build.

Subsequently, there is a massive effect on power output (hydrogen packs approximately half the punch of gasoline) brought up by the energy density difference between gasoline and hydrogen. In the test, the rotary engine’s output swooped from 210 hp and 164 pound-feet of torque as it runs on gasoline to 110 hp and 89 pound-feet as it switched to hydrogen.

The use of gasoline requires 7.5 seconds for the RX-8 to run 100 kilometer per hour, considering that the dual-fuel version is heavier than a conventional RX-8 by about 130 kilograms. As the vehicle switch to hydrogen, the elapsed time goes up to 18 seconds. Though it seems to be something to be worried about, it was not actually a problem. The driver could purposely push a button and select the gasoline side of the RX-8’s dual personality.

The hydrogen use was proven to be perfect for driving in a tamer pace. Though there are still some NOx emissions from the combustion process, it is significantly regulated by a catalytic converter along with a quality Mazda oxygen sensor. Thus, the emissions do not contribute to the present growing pollution.

The Japanese automotive has been considering the optimization of the engine. In fact, the RX-8 is currently optimized to run on gasoline, considering that it is the dirtier fuel that needs to be properly burned to keep the emissions at its lowest. When tuned to consume the best of hydrogen, the engine’s power output is boosted to up to 35 per cent. Teaming up the hydrogen with E85 could also help in enhancing such power.

At present, Mazda is still looking for other steps that could create a machine potentially capable of providing the demands of the people for environmentally friendly vehicles.