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11 Reasons Why Hybrid Cars Are Better Than You ThinkBy Jason Steele reference: http://www.lifed.com/11-reasons-why-hybrid-cars-are-better-than-you-think Note: I have not altered the below article. Hence it may contain details of other countries. When hybrid cars first came to our shores in 2001, they were an odd curiosity. In the intervening years, most Americans seem to have made up their mind regarding this new type of vehicle. Hybrid owners love their cars while drivers of traditional vehicles have reached their own conclusions, based largely on some erroneous assumptions. Here are nine reasons why a hybrid car is better than you think it is. 1. Hybrids Are Not Slow Many people conclude that the additional gas mileage offered by hybrids are not worth the cost of driving the slowest car on the road. In fact, hybrids are faster than you might think for an obvious reason – hybrid cars have multiple engines. In addition to the conventional gasoline engine, hybrids contain 1-3 electric motors that provide a little more horsepower and a lot more torque. Some models, like the Prius, use a smaller gasoline engine than similarly sized cars, but other hybrids simply add an electric motor to the standard engine which results in a faster combination than the non-hybrid version. 2. Hybrid Efficiency Is Not Just About The Car, It Is Also About The Driver It is possible to drive a hybrid just like any other car, but your fuel economy will suffer. Hybrids want to be driven in a different manner in order to take advantage of all of the inherent efficiencies of their drive-trains. To help drivers get the most miles per gallon, most hybrids include some sort of feedback system that lets drivers know how the car is operating. For example, drivers learn when their car is in electric only mode, when the gas engine is running, and when they are generating energy from braking. 3. Hybrids Require Less Maintenance When your engine is only running half of the time, your car will require fewer oil changes. Additionally, since a hybrid uses generators to decelerate while charging its battery, it will use its friction brakes far less often. The result is a car that will drive more miles before needing brake service. 4. Hybrid Batteries Will Outlast The Car The most common concern that most drivers have with the concept of a hybrid is that they have an expensive battery that will need to be replaced. It is true that a hybrid’s batteries make up a substantial portion of the additional cost, but concerns that the battery will be unreliable are unfounded. In fact, Consumer Reports tested a 10 year old Prius and compared its performance to the same model when it was tested as new. They concluded that the 10 year old car with 200,000 miles performed identically to when it was tested as new. Furthermore, cities that have used hybrids as taxis found that their batteries were also working fine when the vehicles were retired as planned after 250,000 miles. 5. Hybrids Climb Well It is torque, not horsepower that enables a car to climb a steep hill, and the electric motors in hybrid cars specialize in producing it. Additionally, hybrids often feature continuously variable transmissions that allow the engine to operate at the optimal number of revolutions per minute (RPMs) when climbing under full power. This is impossible with conventional transmissions that typically operate with four, five, or six speeds. 6. Hybrids Are Not Small The original Toyota Prius and Honda Insight were subcompacts, although later models are classified as mid sized vehicles. Today, Toyota offers its seven passenger Highlander as a hybrid, and many full size American made SUVs and pickup trucks have hybrid drive-trains as an option. 7. Hybrids Are Incredibly Quiet Starting a hybrid makes about as much commotion as turning on a lamp. When you take your foot off of the brake, a hybrid will begin to move so silently that passengers might think your car is rolling downhill. These cars are so quiet that owners sometimes forget to turn them off and safety advocates argue that they should artificially generate noise to warn pedestrians. 8. Hybrids Are Designed To Simulate A Conventional Car The goal of hybrid designers seems to have been to ensure that the drivers of conventional vehicles could operate them without changing any of their habits. To that end, the electric motor will engage when the driver is not using the gas or the brakes, just like a conventional engine idling in a car with an automatic transmission. In order to simulate the engine drag, hybrids will apply a little regenerative braking when the driver is coasting without applying the brakes. 9. Hybrids Retain Their Value Some analysts have downplayed the higher fuel economy offered by hybrids by comparing those savings to the increased purchase price of a new vehicle. This comparison neglects the reality that when sold, a used hybrid will command a higher price than a conventional car with lower fuel economy. In fact, the price premium will be even more pronounced every time there is a rise in gas prices. During these increasingly frequent price spikes, it is impossible to purchase a used hybrid for published “book” prices as there is far more demand than supply. 10. Hybrids Are Cleaner Hybrid cars typically produce up to 80% less harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases than comparable gasoline cars. With fewer airborne pollutants and a cleaner Earth, you can’t go wrong. 11. Hybrids Come With Perks Hybrid owners get to enjoy tax credits, preferred parking spaces, and in some states, even have the ability to drive solo in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Hybrids offer a new and exciting means of efficiently propelling your car, but there is so much more to them than high fuel economy. By understanding all of their advantages, drivers can make the best choice when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Read more at http://www.lifed.com/11-reasons-why-hybrid-cars-are-better-than-you-think#VKpz6YQxczzYUmAS.99

what is the different between the Hybrid system used in toyota aqua and honda fit?

Hi All I m hoping to buy a Honda CR-Z Hybrid. The current market price seems to be between 3.6M onwards, I would like to have a opinion from any current CR-Z users, Simply put How's the ride ? Was it a worthy sports Hybrid ?

What do you know about this car? please help me.

i'm going to buy a hybrid car.my budget is less than 4 million rupeese.I decided to buy a Toyota Aqua or Honda Fit Hybrid car. what is the best car to buy? post your ideas here.

Dear Hybrid favored friends could you kindly let me know different kind of grades related to Prius 2nd Gen. I have found several articles but was unable to get clear idea. is there any different type of hybrid to japan, and USA , what are the differences etc... your comments on this and usage experience of 2nd gen cars pls raveendra

Ive just signed up for this site and all ive been seeing are that anytime someone puts up a question about a hybrid, flocks of users keeps insulting them on their vehicle. I really dont see what they have to hate them so much?? I own a prius 3rd gen and i can tell from over 2 years of use that although it may not be in the same class and far from the of looks as an exotic or be anywhere near a sports car in performance it does serve its purpose better than any other car ive used so far. Ive been using a 121 and ive been using beemers and several other US models and ive experienced first handed that this prius is much more reliable and much economical in every sense compared to other cars of the SAME price range. I am an avid lover of tuned modified cars and the prius does not make those come true but it still is one of the best cars ive ever driven. To anyone looking for a car which is reliable or economical i would recommend a prius although if looking for a cheap car it would not be bad to get a used 121 or civic (i am not a environmental freak btw though i do care for it :| ) The prius saves me a lot on gas and i mean a lot. i drive over 3000km per month both in colombo and to outstation locations. during long distance driving i ususally get over 20kmpl but if not going agressively i can get around 30kmpl while going at 50-70kmph. in rush hour traffic i get varying mileage while sometimes it may drop to 16kmpl but usually about 19-22kmpl. and considering the price of fuel it is a great saving considering i dont even have to use 95 octane. i was going to buy an allion 2011 but decided against it as the prius was full of options unlike the allion. someone here suggested that i test the pre collision system by driving at a wall or tree... and i did try it. but i instead drove it at a pile of cardboard boxes and for their info it did stop automatically without hitting it. and the radar cruise control is also a useful feature but i dont use it much considering our three wheel drivers and motor bikes. other maintenance stuff is also lower as the service has to be done only every 10000km and there is no need to change ATF oil or any belts. ive been using it for 40000km and the brake pads are almost like brand new. (in the corolla i would have to replace every 25000) the only problem is the stock ture size that came in the touring mode. the 17" 215 tires are a bit expensive but this problem is not there in the regular JP prius. ive yet to replace a single mechanical part and there have been no issues at all except that i drained the 12V battery once by listening to the radio in ACC mode for too long. another benefit is when the car is stopped you can use the AC without burning fuel. the performance is nowhere near a BMW or an american car but it does provide more power than the majority of vehicles in sri lanka (outside inner colombo ) and the acceleration response is better because of the motors. and in PWR mode it feels much better than an insight in S mode (though the sound of the engine is not at all sporty... sounds like an aircraft taking off) On the contrary to what people say, the battery is as reliable as any other part of the car and the chance of your battery failing is almost nil unless you treat it badly which is the same for a gasoline car if you do not maintain the engine it will be damaged. and the battery can now be repaired by changing damaged cells which are about 7000 rupees only. and i believe a reason people insult hybrid owners are because they drive slowly. thats the fault of the driver, not the car.. driving slow will not make it more efficient and ive seen people in jaguars and BMWs going slower than that. to all who think hybrids are cheap vehicles. just because they are relatively cheap here, in japan they are about two time more expensive when used than a brand new allion.. AND i know some here are going to say im jobless to be typing this yeah. true. im doing this just because some people dont care about saving their hard earned money that doesnt mean they should insult others who do try. anyone who has any questions im willing to provide answers to the best i can. and im open to any comments why your'll hate hybrids so much (P.S i did hate them before i bought one... so you should try it without being prejudiced)

Hi guys.. Does anyone know where to buy the proper oil for hybrid vehicles.. I mean the manufacturer specified 0W-20 & not the 0W-30 that Stafford & Toyota try to sell to u claiming it's recommended for the hybrids.. Thanks, Yusuf

Do you think that the demand for Hybrid vehcile will rapidly increase due to recent fuel price hike?

Hi Guys...... doing some research on the FD3 but would love to hear your personal experience of it in SL. Pros/Cons... FD3 compared to the FD1.... Maintenance.....Driving Feel

Hi all, i'm quite new here and i'm hoping to buy my first car. i'm looking to bring down a prius from japan but i have no idea of how much tax i will have to pay. my budget is around 3.5 million therefore i think of buying a prius made in 2008. can you please suggest me some good sites to see japan auctions and how to calculate the tax amount i will have to pay? if i am to stick to my budget of 3.5 million what is the best amount that i could afford to spend at the auction? thanks for help!!