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FAQs

What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid is a gasoline vehicle that does not require to be plugged in.  From the operator’s perspective it is no different than a conventional vehicle.  The gas engine uses less fuel because it is assisted by an electric motor that is charged by a battery pack.

 

A hybrid is a car that has more than one method of propulsion, usually for the goal of increased fuel efficiency. Hybrids available on the market today use a gas engine and an electric motor. The electric motor gets its energy from a battery pack, usually located at the back of the car. The battery gets charged from regenerative braking. The electric engine usually works in conjunction with the gas engine for added fuel efficiency. Some hybrids are able to use solely the electric motor, but only in ideal conditions.

 

Do I need to work the electric motor as well?

No, it is all done automatically.

 

Does the battery pack need to be replaced? Is it expensive to replace?

Like all rechargeable batteries, the battery will need to be replaced eventually. Most manufacturers offer seven to eight year warranty or 160,000 kilometres on the battery. It costs an estimated $5,000 depending on the type of car. However, not a single battery has had to be replaced since the Toyota Prius went on sale back in Japan back in 1997. This would suggest that the batteries have a much longer lifespan than anticipated.

 

Do hybrids need gas?

Yes. Since a hybrid uses an internal combustion engine as in any other car, it requires regular gasoline, though not in large quantities.

 

Why are hybrids so expensive?

Hybrid technology in mass produced cars is fairly new; it’s just over a decade old. The technology used in these cars is expensive, and the cars are costly to make. However as more and more hybrids get sold, the initial cost of these vehicles is expected to decrease. Currently, the Honda Insight is the least expensive hybrid available.

 

Why are hybrids less efficient on the highway?

The electric motor assists the gasoline engine less during highway driving because more fuel is needed to maintain faster speeds for long durations.

 

With lots of starts, stops, and idling hybrids are at their most efficient in the city as the electric motor assists to ease gas consumption. Driving on the highway is usually done at a constant speed for a longer period of time with little to no starts or stops. Therefore the electric motor does not kick in as much on the highway. This means it is less efficient while on the highway, but still fairly efficient considering the small size of the gas engine. 

 

Do hybrids need to be plugged in?

No. Currently there are no plug-in hybrids available for sale, though they are coming soon.

 

Why is diesel more efficient than regular gasoline?

There are special combustion properties in diesel that allows more power to be generated from less fuel. Usually smaller engines are found in diesels, while torque numbers help the car achieve acceptable performance.

 

Don’t diesels pollute the air more?

The same properties in diesel that make it more efficient cause smog forming emissions. However, there have been a lot of efforts made to make diesel cleaner. As a result diesels today are much cleaner than they were twenty years ago.

 

How come I’m not getting the advertised fuel efficiency rating of my car?

Fuel efficiency ratings are tested under ideal driving conditions.

 

The U.S Environmental Protection agency is responsible for the fuel estimates advertised on all cars in Canada. They recognize that their fuel efficiency testing is likely not in line with ‘real world’ driving. As well, Energuide ratings are usually based on one fill up every two weeks, assuming gas is at a dollar per litre and that the car is driven 20,000 kilometres a year.

 

Isn’t it better to idle than to start and stop the engine all the time?

Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your engine.

 

Idling is actually worse for your engine. If you are stopped for more than 10 seconds, it’s best to turn off your engine as you are needlessly wasting gas. 45 seconds of idling uses roughly the same amount of fuel as driving a kilometre.

 

But doesn’t my car need to idle in order to warm up in the morning?

Idling only warms the engine oil and fluids.  Even on a cold day, this takes no more than 30 seconds.

 

In cold temperatures, only 30 seconds maximum is needed in order to warm up the oil in the engine. The rest of the components of your car don’t get warmed up simply by sitting in your driveway. Your car needs to be physically driven in order for the tires, transmission, wheel bearings, drive-train etc to get warmed up. It usually takes five to eight kilometres of driving for your car to be fully warmed up.

 

Why are manual transmissions more efficient than automatics?

Manual transmissions allow you to shift the gears yourself. You are able to shift quicker at lower revolutions per minute (RPM), which saves more gas.

 

I don’t know how to drive manual transmissions, are there automatics that are as efficient?

Continuous variable transmissions (CVT) can be just as efficient as they allow for an unlimited number of gear ratios.

 

These days, car companies are adding extra gears to automatic transmissions. You can get some automatics with as many as eight gears. This helps keep the RPM down, which is more efficient. Also, there is an automatic transmission called continuous variable transmission (CVT). CVT’s don’t have traditional stepped gears. They have pulleys with a belt between them which allows for unlimited amount of ratios between the highest and lowest gears. This allows the engine to stay in its most efficient range.

 

Most efficient cars are too small for my needs. Are there any larger efficient options?

First, you need to ask yourself why you need more space and how often you need more space. If you only need added space once every few months, it may be better to consider just renting a larger car when you need it, or buying an efficient wagon or hatchback.  However, if you find you need more room more often than not, there are a few options. Diesel and hybrid powered SUV’s and trucks are making their way into the market. They will not have the same efficiency rating as traditional smaller hybrids; however gas savings can be as much as 30% over gasoline equivalents.

 

How come all wheel drive isn’t as efficient as front wheel or rear wheel drive?

All wheel drive is heavier than traditional front wheel drive systems. Added weight means added fuel consumption.

 

What are the differences in car share, ride share, and carpooling?

Car share is a membership based business that offers people access to vehicles for personal use.  As a member you book a vehicle for a specific time slot.  It is then available for your use during that time.  You are charged according to the duration of use.  

 
Ride share and carpooling are very similar.  Carpooling is when two or more people who are heading to the same destination travel in the same vehicle instead of taking their own.  Ride share is a way of connecting people who are traveling to and from the same destination and who otherwise are unlikely to connect.  Instead of traveling by single occupancy vehicles, these people are able to organize carpooling to reduce transportation emissions and costs.

 

What is telecommuting?

Telecommuting is an arrangement with your employer which allows you to, if possible, work from home with one of the main goals being cutting down on travel. This is accomplished through telecommunication links, typically internet.

 

How can tire pressure affect fuel consumption?

For every two pounds of pressure per square inch (PSI) your tires are underinflated, you will burn 1% more fuel, per tire.

 

If a tire is under inflated, it means more of the tire is actually hitting the road surface. For every two pounds of pressure per square inch (PSI) your car’s tires are underinflated, you will burn 1% more fuel, per tire.   This not only affects fuel consumption but it compromises safety and increases tire wear – meaning more money spent on new tires, more often.

 

How do I know the ideal tire pressure for my car?

Recommended tire pressure can be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door jam.  Otherwise, it can be found in the owner’s manual.  

 

How often should I check my tire pressure?

Once a month.

 

Is nitrogen better than air for my tires?

When tires are filled with oxygen, it can escape over time. It leaks through the polymer chains of the rubber. Since nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules this process is slower and thus, minimizes low tire pressure.

 

Nitrogen generators can actually remove oxygen and moister in the rubber of the tires. This is what causes the tires to deteriorate over time. Therefore, the tire will last longer with nitrogen.

 

The ambient temperature affects tire pressure as well with tires filled with oxygen.  Nitrogen is less affected by varying temperatures, including heat caused by road friction. This is the main reason why nitrogen is us used in race cars and aircraft.

 

However nitrogen is only effective if the rims, whether they be steel or alloy, are corrosion free. Therefore using nitrogen in brand new tires with brand new rims is best. Since salt causes corrosion, using nitrogen in the winter may not have any advantages, it will leak out the same as air.

 

Nitrogen is much more expensive than air. Dealers charge as much as $7 per tire to fill with nitrogen, while air is often free at most gas stations.

 

How do I know if my tires are filled with air or nitrogen?

The valve stem caps for tires filled with nitrogen are neon green.

 

How can I track how much fuel I use?

Drivewiser offers fuel logs which can be found in our brochures or here on our website.

 

What is CAFE?

CAFE stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines it as “the sales weighted average fuel economy, expressed in miles per gallon (mpg), of a manufacturer’s fleet of passenger cars or light trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 lbs. or less, manufactured for sale, for any given model year”

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