| Tired of high gas prices? Want to save the earth? | | | | dinosaur residue, so be sure and replace the fuel filter |
| Want to support local economies and clean the air | | | | after the first couple of tanks of biodiesel. After that, |
| while getting high performance out of your vehicle? | | | | because biodiesel is so clean burning, it actually may |
| Try Biodiesel. It's clean, sustainable, domestic, | | | | reduce maintenance costs and extend engine |
| renewable AND you can make it at home!!! Wave | | | | life.Europe, which has traditionally been more |
| farewell to petroleum.Amidst the hybrid hype, there | | | | diesel-heavy than the US, (currently diesels occupy |
| has been little mention of one of the oldest 'alternative' | | | | about 40 % of the European market) has recently |
| fuels with some tremendous advantages. Invented and | | | | increased its emissions standards and subsequently |
| patented by Rudolf Diesel in 1893, diesel engines were | | | | the use of biodiesel has taken off in a big way. |
| first made to run on various vegetable oils. Thus, | | | | Europeans are supporting the growth of the biodiesel |
| almost any diesel engine outfitted with the right hoses | | | | industry through farming subsidies of biodiesel |
| is capable of cleaner, vegan, non-petroleum based | | | | feedstocks unknown in the US until this week when |
| Biodiesel operation. (Most newer diesels have the right | | | | Oregon introduced a similar bill in their State |
| hoses).Diesels have tremendous advantages. Although | | | | Legislature.Another tremendous advantage of Biodiesel |
| their pricepoint can be somewhat higher initially, it's well | | | | is its blend-ability. Biodiesel can be used straight (called |
| worth it in the long run. Diesel engines are well known | | | | B100) or blended in any percentage with conventional |
| for their consistent reliability, length of engine life, and | | | | #2 diesel, and even at low percentages (B5 or B10) |
| perhaps most importantly, their fuel economy. In our | | | | has incredible emissions benefits. Subsequently, if |
| ever-growing awareness of planetary resources and | | | | you're out traveling and don't have access to |
| taking geopolitical circumstances into account, fuel | | | | homemade or storebought biodiesel, you can use |
| economy is beginning to take a place of primacy.When | | | | regular diesel in your tank with no conversion |
| running on biodiesel, there are tremendous emissions | | | | issues.There are an ever-growing number of biodiesel |
| benefits as well. Traditional dinosaur-diesel powered | | | | filling stations available if you don't have space or |
| engines have gotten a bad rap for their dark, smoky | | | | interest in making your own. Check with for more |
| exhaust, smell and pollution of our air. Biodiesel, on the | | | | information of what's available in your area. For more |
| other hand, reduces emissions significantly in every | | | | biodiesel resources see a personal note, I've been |
| category in which pollutants are measured except | | | | running my VW Jetta TDI (Turbo Diesel Injection) on |
| nitrous oxide (NOx) which can be adjusted with some | | | | Biodiesel (mostly B100) for the last three years with |
| slight modifications. Unlike their petroleum powered | | | | only good things to say. It's been trouble-free and now |
| counterparts, biodiesel exhaust smells pleasantly like | | | | it's actually pleasant to have the sunroof open. And if |
| the feedstock of whatever vegetable oil is used. | | | | your outdated ideas suggest that diesels compromise |
| (There are tales of people who have used recycled | | | | performance or speed, feel free to sniff my |
| fryer oil for their biodiesel from their local doughnut | | | | doughnutsA Registered Nurse with a long-term interest |
| shop and subsequently end up with visions of Krispy | | | | in holistic wellness, Katrina Hugenot writes regularly on |
| Kreme.)Performance wise, biodiesel has a higher | | | | topics relating to health, nutrition, sustainability, and |
| lubricity than conventional diesel, subsequently acting as | | | | well-being. |
| a bit of an 'enema' for the engine, cleaning out the | | | | |