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Fuels and Exhaust

The world is grappling with a number of environmental issues and exhaust fumes from vehicles and global warming resulting thereof are not the least of them.  Volvo manufacturers are extremely conscious of their environmental obligations and are constantly finding out ways and means of reducing emissions and exhaust.
To this end, the Volvo multi-fuel car that was introduced in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2006 can run on five different kinds of fuels which include hythane, biomethane, natural gas, bioethanol E85 and petrol.  The car is a five cylinder, 2.0-litre prototype car. This performs as well as any other Volvo car and has an added bonus of being extremely clean. The combination of fuels -such as hydrogen, biomethane and bioethanol-results in an almost negligible fossil carbon dioxide. 
The reinforced gaseous fuel tank in this prototype multi fuel car has one large tank and two smaller tanks.  It has a total capacity of 98-litres for gaseous fuels and 29-litres for liquid fuel. While the smaller gaseous fuel tanks are made of steel the large tank is reinforced with gas tight aluminum liner and carbon fibre composite.  It has an exterior layer of hardened fibre-glass.  The whole is fitted under the floor of the luggage compartment, saving space.  The two fuel fillers are conveniently located for filling in different kinds of fuel.  The engine sensitively adjusts itself to the right blend of fuels and switches between fuels intelligently under the guidance of the computer that monitors the system.
The multi-fuel prototype car significantly meets the emission standards of Euro 4 and the proposed levels of Euro 5.  A catalyst system that will meet the tough demands on tailpipe emissions, under PZEV/SULEV of the US market, has also been developed. The catalysts can be coupled to the engine to lower initial start emissions and under the floor to reduce emissions at high speeds. These catalysts also interface with the computer systems to monitor emissions and ensure optimum performance.
The Volvo car manufacturers encourage the Volvo car owners to install an oxygen sensor on their machines that can effectively help them lower exhaust emissions from the auto. This sensor used in conjunction with Volvo Catalytic converter ensures better performance.
The oxygen sensor-called Lambda Sensor– is fitted into the exhaust system and helps measure the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas. This measure triggers an electronic control unit that regulates the efficiency of the combustion process in the engine by sending signals to the engine management computer.  The engine management computer then, adjusts the mixture to ensure fuel economy and low exhaust emissions.
The lifecycle of this oxygen sensor is directly proportional to the amount and time spent on the maintenance of the car.  Since it is used in conjunction with the catalytic converter, the failure of this sensor through aging or other causes such as use of leaded fuel, can impact the lifecycle of the catalytic converter. Proper and regular maintenance activities can increase the lifespan of both these devices and make the car environmental friendly.

Add comment January 23rd, 2008

Driving comfort

Driving comfort is subjective. You will have to decide which Volvo is best suited to you.  If you have to drive for long hours it is best to buy a car which gives you maximum driving comfort.  How will you decide on something as subjective as this?  Here are some tips to help you find out how your Volvo will suit you the best.

One of the most fundamental errors made by people is, funnily enough, the way they get in and out of cars. When you are getting into a car, the first thing you should do is sit down, and then swing your legs in. When you are getting out of a car, the first thing you must do is swing your legs out, place it on the ground and then stand up. Most people generally scramble into and out of the car, and that can affect your body and the comfort level in the car itself.

In the car itself, you should know that various things affect your driving comfort. Sometimes, your arms and legs might not reach the steering wheel or the pedals properly, and you may find driving both embarrassing and painful. What you should do is find the lever and bring the car forward, so that you can sit in comfort. You should also use the lumbar support for the car seat. If even that is not very comfortable, use a lumbar roll instead.

While you are sitting in the car, your free leg might often go to sleep, or it may become painfully uncomfortable to keep it there, so every now and then shift the position of that leg, so that both driving and sitting is not a problem. Another thing that may affect your driving comfort is the wallet in your back pocket. You might not realize it sometimes but it may affect you unconsciously. So, next time you are driving, remember to pull out your wallet from your back pocket!

Did you know that there is a proper way to hold the steering wheel and that it may affect your driving comfort considerably? The wheel should be held with straight wrists. You can liken it to a clock and hold one hand at the place where the number 10 usually is and the other hand where the 2 usually is. You can also hold it using the numbers 9 and 3. While driving, don’t lean the elbow on the window ledge or anything close to it. This could strain the Ulnar nerve in the elbow.

Your shoulders are also important parts of your body that are used while you are driving. Don’t hold the wheel while hunching the shoulders, or in a very high position. If you hold your shoulders like that for a long time, they will start hurting.

And the last and most important thing is stretching. Once you are done driving, stretch so that blood begins to flow, the tension in your arms release and it will also help you become more flexible. Do remember to stretch slowly and hold it in that position for about 10 seconds.

Add comment January 23rd, 2008