[The Citrus Smoothie]

I took my Insight for its MoT Test (annual Government inspection) today, the first one I have had to do since I bought it. New legislation means that the tests are thorough but my Insight passed with flying colours.

People waiting at the garage soon took notice of my "digital" car and paid it lots of attention (probably helped by their boredom and the "My car sips petrol, Yours sucks!" logo on the back).

Anyway I thought I'd share with you that the exhaust emissions test machine could not read any emissions from my tailpipe. The mechanics had to resort to revving the engine to about 5,000 rpm to get a reading and even then the readings were near zero. As I was leaving, the mechanic said "There is just fresh air coming out of the back of that thing!".....once again there are now a few more people better informed.

 

[Guest]

Hi Silver Streaker:

___That is great news … And a question: Since you are in the UK, you probably fill up w/ very low sulfur petrol, correct? Do you think that helps your Insight achieve the results you just received?

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:2jq3z2jt][email protected][/email:2jq3z2jt]

 

[Braxus]

wonder if the CVT would get better or the same results. The only reason the 5spd is rated for ULEV instead of SULEV is due to lean burn right?

California requires low sulfur fuel as well. However, I don't know how it compares to UK gasoline though.

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

OK I have done a bit of digging and found that since 2000 the maximum allowable sulphur content in gasoline in the UK (& Europe) is 150 ppm by volume. If gasoline is to be sold as having a ultra low sulphur content then it cannot have more than 50ppm, which I only buy once in a while. See link below. Not sure what the Californian rules are.

http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/downstream/environment/

For those that are interested and can understand them, & not forgetting that they revved harder than 3000RPM, my exhaust emission results are:

Fast Idle RPM: 2500, 3000, Measured Value.

Fast Idle CO vol%: 0.00, 0.30, 0.00.
F. Idle HC VOLppm: 0, 200, 1.
Lambda: 1.030, 0.970, 1.003.

HTH!

 

[Rick]

I think california is supposed to be 30ppm or less. I know it's sure more expensive too. Once a year we always make a trip to spend a week in california and the price is always 15 to 20 cents more a gallon once you get past the Arizona California border.

 

[Tim Maddux]

Note that California charges $0.13/gallon more in taxes than Arizona. Source: http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/stati ... _2002.html

I had my 5spd put through the emissions test in MA in 2002 and the reported results were better than the SULEV standard.

 

[Aaron Cake]

Same thing happened to me. Had to have an emissions test after I bought it, and it came out as "zero" accross the board.

 

[Dgate]

Silver Streaker,

Where can I get a bumper sticker like yours? Also are there any hybrid decals available? I get some interested looks from time to time so sure anything that might identify the cars concept would help educate.Its funny I owned one of the first Smarts which seem to encourage total strangers into asking questions and commenting but the Insight has not produced this result. Owning the car as a social tool is not my priority but it would be nice to extoll the virtues of such a vehicle to an uneducated but interested party who sought such advice.

Dgate
Blue Streaker #151

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

Dgate - You can get self-adhesive vinyl lettering made up to your specification at any Sign shop. My three logos only cost me £15. The lettering is surprisingly hard wearing and sticks particularly well to the rear glass. Make sure you get it straight & level!

Although I am aware that "My car sips petrol, Yours sucks!" logo is a bit excessive, I feel that it is justified by the "83MPG" and "Lowest Emissions" logos on my bumper. I previously noticed people having a good look at the car, so at least now they can take away those two thoughts with them and be that little bit better informed.

As well as being an socio-environmental tool (ahem), the signs should also help raise awareness of the Insight, perhaps inspire others to buy one and help keep up the second hand values! :wink:

From time to time I get asked questions in car parks and I have a ready supply of A4 information sheets in the 'document holder(?)' behind the front seats. I can e-mail the UK or US version of the information sheet to anyone who wants one.

 

[ElectricTroy]

Although I am aware that "My car sips petrol, Yours sucks!" logo is a bit excessive,

The problem is that the average person is dumb, and would not "get it". They would think you're insulting their car, and not make the connection between "sips gas" and "sucks gas". IMHO, a better version would be:

My Car Sips Gas
Yours Sucks (gas)!

...for the people who are slow-witted.

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

...for the people who are slow-witted.

Or those who drive SUVs! :wink:

 

[Guest]

Hi Silver Streaker:

Or those who drive SUVs! :wink:

___Now now … we don’t want to go there again, do we?

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:3jvd22bu][email protected][/email:3jvd22bu]

 

[b1shmu63]

Mom drives a Honda CRV. It gets about 31 Imperial MPG and is used to haul trailers, docks etc.. We live fifty miles from the city. We have 3,000 feet of unplowed, unpaved trail to traverse just to get to the municipal gravel road. :shock: In England I undestand one is never more than 50 miles from the ocean. :roll: Hopefully the next SUV will be a hybrid.