discount gm auto part
During my drives, which have included trips through snowstorms and foul weather - the low center of gravity of the hybrid causes it to handle better than even a standard Tahoe and the 4-wheel drive selection does not seem to have as big an impact on mileage as I expected - I have noticed a very large number of Prius' stuck in the snow and broken down on the side of the road.
The hybrid Tahoe, in addition to being able to handle bad weather, blows through the snow even while towing loads in excess of 6,000 lbs. The Prius, Civic and similar just don't seem to have the power.
Is the mileage of the Hybrid, and most hybrid and electric vehicles, temperature dependent?
As part of my 'experiment' to see how the hybrid would handle, I have returned to my 'old ways' of driving since the weather was warm. It is almost uncomfortable to watch the 'economy' meter swing all the way in either direction as I start faster and brake harder than it would like me to.
So, I was watching the average fuel consumption of the vehicle while the weather was warm, through to now in both local and long distance driving conditions. The mileage, driving the way I am driving, started out at a combined city and highway average of 21.8mpg with the weather above 50F. As the weather fell below 30F, I have noticed the mileage has dropped below 20mpg to about 19.8mpg average.
Once I noticed this, I have altered my driving to more fit the weather conditions in Chicago - a lot of snow and ice recently - and I looked for other causes for the dropping fuel mileage.
1. Being a creature of comfort, I would use the remote start option on the keychain. In cold weather, this starts the engine, turns on the seat heaters, and turns on the heat at high. It bypasses the hybrid portion of the vehicle and uses the engine only until you get in and insert the key into the ignition. Each start will operate the engine for up to 15 minutes and all eight cylinders are on. This eliminates the idling fuel advantage that we found in traffic.
2. I adjusted my driving habits to more match the conditions. Slower starts and slower stops and have watched the mileage improve. Greater distances in driving have also had an impact as the engine appears to operate much much longer after the vehicle is started. This is partly because the engine needs to hit a certain temperature before it starts shutting off when idle.
3. We are looking into the fact that battery capacity drops with temperature. This would explain the location of the battery pack under the rear passenger seat within the cab. Most all battery technology has a temperature limitation. In fact, while researching hybrid and electric vehicles, including the Tesla and the foreign imports, the disclaimers on mileage discuss the operating conditions for the mileage claims. This could explain a lot, especially how some foreign hybrid vehicle owners have questioned the mileage on the sticker at the dealership and their actual mileage. What are the differences between the 'EPA approved testing sites?' Do some manufacturers take advantage of temperature and/or other driving conditions?
I would like to hear your thoughts on this topic. BTW, I am back to over 20mpg by listening to what the truck is telling me.
White House Interim Assistance to US Automakers and UAW Response
December 19, 2008
By William Bulbrook
AllAmericanHybrid.com Writer
At 9:01 am EST, Friday, December 19, 2008, President Bush made the general announcement that funds would be made available “from the financial rescue package Congress approved earlier this fall.”
President Bush stated that the financial crisis and recession caused problems within the industry at a much faster pace than anyone had anticipated. “The convergence of these factors means there’s too great a risk that bankruptcy now would lead to a disorderly liquidation of American auto companies. My economic advisors believe that such a collapse would deal an unacceptably painful blow to hardworking Americans far beyond the auto industry.” Said the President, “It would worsen a weak job market and exacerbate the financial crisis. It would send our suffering economy into a deeper and longer recession. And it would leave the next President to confront the demise of a major American industry in his first days in office.”
The White House has resisted the use of the financial rescue package throughout the past several months of this issue, but finally relented. “Unfortunately, despite extensive debate and agreement that we should prevent disorderly bankruptcies in the American auto industry, Congress was unable to get a bill to my desk before adjourning this year.” The President stated, “This means the only way to avoid a collapse of the US auto industry is for the executive branch to step in. The American people want the auto companies to succeed, and so do I.” He said sternly, “So today, I’m announcing that the federal government will grant loans to auto companies under conditions similar to those Congress considered last week.”
The statement also made clear that the loans would provide, if the companies were unable to restructure in a timely manner, the ability for the industry to put together an orderly Chapter 11 bankruptcy. President Bush stated that he felt that this would help consumer confidence in purchasing American cars.
He outlined that specific conditions must be met and outlined: “Because Congress failed to make funds available for these loans, the plan I am announcing today will be drawn from the financial rescue package Congress approved earlier this fall. The terms of the loans will require auto companies to demonstrate how they can become viable. They must pay back all their loans to the government, and show that their firms can earn a profit and achieve a positive net worth. This restructuring will require meaningful concessions from all involved in the auto industry – management, labor unions, creditors, bondholders, dealers, and suppliers.”
In a statement from General Motors, “We appreciate the President extending a financial bridge at this most critical time for the US auto industry and our nation’s economy. This action helps to preserve many jobs, and supports the continued operation of GM and the many suppliers, dealers and small businesses across the country that depend on us…. We know we have much work in front of us to accomplish our plan. It is our intention to continue to be transparent as we execute our plan, and we will provide regular updates on our progress. We again thank the Administration for this important support of our industry at this challenging time, and we look forward to proving what American ingenuity can achieve.”
Chrysler issued the following: “We have received news that US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will provide $4 billion of initial funding to Chrysler LLC from the TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) as a loan to help bridge the current financial crisis. We appreciate the Administration’s confidence in Chrysler.” According to Robert Nardelli, “As outlined in our submission to Congress, we intend to be accoun