Idling the vehicle is said to have a lot of advantages. For example, it has been said that starting and then stopping the engine consumes more fuel than to actually leave it running. Catalytic converters work best when they are warmed up, and the best way to do so is to warm them up by driving the car. But note that even in a cold weather, when the engine is shut down for under 10 minutes, this will still not reduce the effectiveness of the catalytic converter. In fact, even in warm weather, idling vehicles can still circulate the coolant that may cool the engine and the catalytic converter faster than when turning it off. As for the issue of fuel efficiency, here is the myth buster: a warm engine that idles for more than 10 seconds burns more fuel and is said to emit more greenhouse gases compared to shutting down and starting up the engine again.

Another myth is that motorists should warm up their vehicle for a few minutes during cold weather before driving. On the other hand, modern electronically-controlled engines do not need to be warmed up. Also, emissions from an idling vehicle in winter conditions are more than double the normal level right after a cold start. It should be known that vehicle engines warm up fastest when a vehicle is being driven just as long as the windshield and other windows are clear of frost and snow, so there should be no reason to idle on start-up. As a matter of fact, using block heaters in very cold weather warms the engine before starting, which reduces pollution even more.

Warming up the vehicle is more than warming up the engine. Its tires, transmission, wheel bearings and other moving parts also need to be warm for the vehicle to perform its best. Most of these parts start out cold until you begin to drive. Idling can damage your engine’s components such as the cylinders, spark plugs and the exhaust system. Vehicles driven by diesel engine require warming up before driving off. There have been many variety of anti-idling devices designed to reduce the need for idling to warm up the engine, cool the vehicle or run auxiliary equipment when stopped.

Another dilemma is basically created by Diesel trucks. Since these vehicles are bigger in nature, they also need more amount of diesel to make them run all over the country. While the drivers of these vehicles are required to take a break and rest for a while, these drivers still leave their engines running to keep air conditioning and the others on. As a result, this has a very big impact on the air that we breathe since it emits an estimated 20 tons of air pollution, even greenhouse gases.

As a solution to this negative practice of truck idling, the Truck Electrified Parking (TEP) was created. This alternative power is tasked to supply electrical power through the outlets that were mounted on the pedestals at truck stops or rest parking areas. All that the truck driver has to do is to install a 120-volt converter. The system has to be tested in New York State first before it becomes operational along transportation corridors in Washington and Oregon.

A brush fire blazed 2 acres along Interstate 15 south of Gopher Canyon Road yesterday, August 22. Firefighters immediately went to the area in an attempt to efface the fire that quickly spread, delaying motorists. Witness say that the fire started on the west side of the freeway at around 5:20 pm.

Evident traces of the fire was the smoke that drifted over the freeway, causing motorists to watch an air tanker drop retardant on the hillside near the shoulder. Captain Matt Streck of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that the fire retardant air drops gave the 30 Cal Fire and Pala Reservation firefighters time to encircle the flames. It took them about half an hour to control the fire.

Investigators found that the fire was started by pieces of a catalytic converter being blown out the exhaust pipe on a passing vehicle. It did not appear that the blaze was intentionally set, and Streck said the driver probably didn’t know what happened. No homes were threatened by the blaze. Owners of catalytic converters must be cautious to the extent of their catcon’s flammable properties, since this has not been the first incident of a bush fire caused by the catalytic converter.

Sports utility vehicles are the main target of catalytic converter thieves as they can easily go under the vehicle to get the emission-control device. For that reason, Land Rover Freelander owners are given warning to make sure that their vehicles are safely parked.

The Motor Vehicle Squad of Bromley Police is advising the owners of these vehicles that heir sports utility vehicles are parked in their own garage or in a very secure location that’s well lighted.

In the last two months, already fifteen catalytic converters have been stolen.

The manufacturers and dealers are already cooperating with the police to help in fighting the catalytic converter thefts.

Also, the scrap metal dealers have been advised and warned to be suspicious of anyone who comes into to sell or trade a catalytic converter.

Members of the public are also being asked to cooperate in this attempt to stop the catalytic converter thefts by contacting officers if they observe anyone who is acting suspiciously around a vehicle. Anyone with any information on these thefts, or any thefts from motor vehicles, should contact Bromley Police’s Motor Vehicle Squad on 01689 891212 or crimestoppers at 0800 555111.

There are a lot of catalytic converter thefts circulating around as thieves saw the potential profit they could get from the precious metals that these catalytic converters were made from. Well, these thieves should now be worried as measures are being undertaken for the prevention of these thefts.

One would-be thief has been arrested on Friday morning as the owner of the sports utility vehicle allegedly spotted him under her ride and immediately called the cops. This is proof enough that car owners and the police are seriously on guard against these crimes.

The man had been spotted by the car owner and confronted him but the thief ran into the woods about seven in the morning. But the police caught him and they charged him with trespassing, public drunk, disorderly conduct, and petit larceny.

The charges are all misdemeanors and the man named Matthew Murray, 27, was taken to the Harrison County jail under a $1,546 bond. According to the police, he admitted that we was attempting to steal the catalytic converter.

A news release stated that the thefts have increased nationally over the period of eight months and that it has reached Gulfport. Police Chief Alan Weatherford said in a news release, “In the past few weeks, we have been monitoring the thefts of catalytic converters and the thefts are increasing.”

This device used for the vehicles’ emission control system contains platinum, which is easily exchangeable. News reports said that catalytic converters cost around $50 - $250 that’s why thieves target them. Thieves sell the parts to scrap-metal companies and some fraudulent repair shops, according to Gulfport police.

Sports utility vehicles and other elevated vehicles are the mostly targeted car types for catalytic converter thefts as thieves could easily get under the car to get device. When these are removed, cars would make a roaring sound when running.

Police in Gulfport encourage anyone with information about these thefts to contact them at 868-5959.

Car owners are advised to be on guard against catalytic converter thieves. On the other hand, would-be thieves are warned.

American Honda Motor announced that the 2008 Honda Civic Mugen Si Sedan, which will be launched in fall, around mid-October, will have a sport-tuned exhaust system that has a catalytic converter that can reduce backpressure. Aside from having this catalytic converter, this Civic Mugen Si Sedan also has a high-performance suspension, wheels made of forged aluminum, and aerodynamic body styling.

John Mendel, the Executive Vice President of Americen Honda said, “Honda enthusiasts have long been asking for factory-installed Mugen performance products similar to what the company offers in Japan. We’re enthusiasts, too, and the ultra-premium Civic Mugen Si Sedan offers exclusive style and elevated handling performance with legendary Honda refinement.”

During the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, the track-tuned suspension system was tetsted. It lowers the vehicles by 0.6 inches with aggressive spring and damper tuning for improved handling performance and for riding comfort. The front and rear damping force were increased between 8 and 24 percent, unlike the traditional Civic Si Sedan. The other changes that were made are the lightweight 16.98-pound 18×7.5inch forged aluminum wheels and high-grip BFGoodrich g-Force KDW 215/40ZR18 summer tires. The aero package of this model has a front spoiler with a sports grill, rear bumper diffuse, rear wing, and side spoilers.

Its sport-tuned exhaust system decreases the backpressure from the catalytic converter back. This Honda model will be exclusively available in Fiji Blue Pearl and will include front and rear Mugen emblems.

Honda will only be producing limited production for this model as they’re only planning to release 1,000 units for the 2008 model year. The retail price for this will be less than $30,000 when released by Honda and it has a full factory warranty.

In mid-2008, the automotive industry will see Audi starting its production of their diesel technology that they hope to be deemed as the world’s cleanest technology of diesel to have been produced. These new TDI engines will have ultra-low emission system that combines the pulling power and performance of the TDI engines nowadays with supremely low emissions and excellent fuel economy.

The TDI strategy of Audi will have three-liter V6 power units in the Audi A4 and Audi Q7. The Audi A4 will be producing a power output of 240bhp with a torque of 500Nm. The Q7 will have the same power output as the Audi A4 but its torque will be at 550Nm.

Audi will take the principle of the TDI diesel direct injection with turbocharging into this new technology and take it into a whole new level of dimension. In able to do this, the Audi engineers for the diesel-engine development will incorporate a whole raft of innovative measures into the latest generation of the TDI power units – the new piezoelectric common-rail system with an injection pressure of 2,000 bar, the tremendously efficient exhaust gas recirculation and optimized turbocharging will bring a dramatic cut in untreated exhaust emissions. One of the great features of this new TDI technology is the combustion chamber sensors that bring even more accuracy in the regulation of the process of combustion in the engine. This is actually the first time that such sensors have been fitted on any engine worldwide, thus making it another worthy innovation that Audi has pioneered.

AdBlue is the biodegradable additive solution that will power the ultra-low emission system. This solution will be injected upstream in small doses from the DeNOx catalytic converter. The entire system comprises the catalytic converter the metering, module, the AdBlue tank and heated lines, and also the extensive system of sensors. The complete emission control system is rounded off by the separate two-way catalytic converter and the highly efficient, electronically controlled diesel particulate filter.

The two-way catalytic converters installed have two simultaneous tasks. The first is oxidation of carbon monoxide to greenhouse gas which is the carbon dioxide. The second is the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons, which are unburned and partially-burned fuel, to carbon dioxide and water. This is already widely-used in diesel engines in order to reduce the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions.

Audi hopes that with all these innovation combined together, the series of TDI power units that they will be able to produce will give them the recognition that their new clean diesel technology is the cleanest diesel technology to be produced so far.

Automobile manufacturers are surely aware of the alarming environmental problems and destructions caused by vehicles, most especially, the noxious emissions. For that, a new technology in the form of the E300 BLUETEC of Mercedes Benz.

Through the years, Mercedes Benz has achieved a massive reduction in its emissions and yet was able to retain the same favorable consumption figures because of the the initial BLUETEC. This month, Mercedes Benz steps up a notch higher in its environment safety commitment with the new E 300 BLUETEC, which aims to achieve environmental compatibility, driving pleasure, and comfort.

The initial BLUETEC was developed by DaimlerChrysler and was further enhanced to the E300 BLUETEC. The highly improved technology is able to cut off formation of the nitrogen oxide through an optimization process inside the engine and exhaust system. Moreover, this technology further strengthens the catalytic converters. With the E300 BLUETEC, the oxidation catalytic converter has been possible. Cutting the noxious emission of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, and an additive-free diesel particulate has been achieved by the catalytic converter. Not only that, with this improved technology, a further developed NOx storage catalytic converter with a patented onboard ammonia generation system teams up with an SCR catalytic converter and enables extremely low nitrogen oxide emissions. This exhaust gas treatment system works without the need for any additional equipment.

Mercedes Benz first introduced the BLUETEC initiative for its compact cars in the United States. At present, Mercedes’ cars are the only vehicles fitted with this technology. By 2008, Mercedes will be releasing three V6 BLUETEC models in America which are the GL, M, and R-class ranges.

A catalytic converter, which is a helpful sub-auto part of an automotive exhaust system, has a lot to offer under its sleeves. Commonly equipped in vehicles, catalytic converters are no longer just for those trusty four-wheel motors, as these are also being utilized in factories.

Whether used in a vehicle’s or a factory’s exhaust system, catalytic converters have the same task of filtering those noxious emissions before going into the air. In vehicles alone, harmful gases such as Carbon monoxide and Sulfur oxide are produced during an engine’s combustion. These ozone hazards are just some of the factors that worsen environmental problems like global warming. A catalytic converter treats the engine’s exhaust and makes the vehicle friendlier to the environment.

Aside from vehicles, factories can also make use of the catalytic converters’ services. The California-based Unomedical, which manufactures sterile disposable equipment for hospitals, was supposed to be equipped with a catalytic converter to treat its harmful emissions. The company has been proven to produce harmful emissions in the form of ethylene oxide. World Health Organization has listed ethylene oxide as a carcinogen that can cause miscarriages. For that, Unomedical was forced to close down because of this irresponsibility.

This light industrial estate has failed to install the catalytic converters in its exhaust system, thus placing nearby residential areas in grave health risk. The catalytic converter was supposed to lower the medical company’s emission to safe levels. Moreover, the Pittwater Council from the Department of Environment and Climate Change has disclosed that Unomedical might have been releasing this noxious emission since 1996. For this alarming realization, residents are worried of the probable long-term effects of being exposed to ethylene oxide. With the case still ongoing, residents have no choice but wait for the full analysis from the company.

The automotive catalytic converter business Rhodia has successfully took over the W.R. Grace and Company in the hopes of making its aftermarket parts business even better.

The Maryland-based Rhodia acquired the Grace & Co.’s washcoat alumina business of 7.5-acre plant on Paddock Road, which is equivalent to a whopping $20 million. An estimated 50 employees of the Grace Division plant will be transferred to automotive catalytic converter maker. Established in 1954, Grace will have to move its silica production to its larger plant in Curtis Bay in Maryland.

Being an aftermarket parts add-on maker, acquiring the Grace plant will strengthen its business since Grace also produces active anti-pollutant devices, like the catalytic converters. Vehicles make use of these aftermarket parts in treating or filtering the noxious emissions before going out through the exhaust. Vehicle owners must know that harmful pollutants like Carbon monoxide and sulfur oxide come from vehicles and with catalytic converters equipped in the exhaust system, these gases are treated.

Catalytic converters are just some of the automotive parts that lessen those noxious emissions of vehicles. With the global warming worsening, scientists have been busy looking for some alternatives for the helpful auto parts.

For now, various studies and experiments are aimed at finding a fuel, which can reduce the vehicles’ dependence on green house gas producing fossil fuels. Hydrogen is by far the readily available fuel anywhere.

“At this stage, we need a system that caters to the need of the fuel crisis and environmental degradation. These twin problems need to be solved as our country is dependent on engine,” said L M Das, professor at the Centre for Energy Studies, IIT Delhi. Hydrogen gas, as a fuel, seems to fit the requirements perfectly.

At the moment, the only flaw in the plan seen that Hydrogen has a very low ignition energy. This will of course cause fire and will immediately spread to the engine’s exhaust. Aside from this flaw, Hydrogen also has plus factors like it does not have emissions like hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, or sulfur oxides. These noxious emissions, which are very harmful to the ozone, are being treated by the catalytic converters. Before any of these hazardous gases comes out into the air, the catalytic converter has already done the job of filtration.

“It can give close to zero emission vehicles, but produces oxides of nitrogen, which can be reduced with the use of a catalytic converter,” said Das.

The main advantage of this study lies in the fact that sources of Hydrogen are plentiful and Hydrogen are considered safer than petrol.

“In case of a petrol spill there is a chance that it will ignite and burn the car. Hydrogen easily disseminates in air. So even if it catches fire, it will not affect the car and the people inside it,” said Das.

For now, the study on this is still going on, thus catalytic converters are still the best choice for vehicles. These helpful auto parts are after all have been proven to be effective in filtering the vehicle’s harmful exhaust.