Auto Fuel Tanks

The Chevrolet Volt is neither a purely electric car nor a hybrid. When first revealed as a 2-door concept car at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, we thought it was a hot electric Camaro.

Much has changed since then, including what the Volt has morphed into. The Voltec powertrain is a new class of propulsion, referred to as an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV). To explain how the Volt moves is another story of its own. Engineers at General Motors essentially combined electric vehicle and hybrid technologies; this is why it's been challenging to pigeonhole the Voltec system in a black and white manner.

Chevrolet designers forged a creative happy medium between aerodynamics and style. Rather than go for a look-alike design that other manufacturers are following, Chevy devised a theme that won't look ho-hum in a year, while remaining in-line with the rest of the family. This sporty design allowed the Volt to transcend the image of goofy eco-vehicle, for futuristic and intelligent.

The 17-inch polished aluminum wheels sparkled on the sun-splashed summer days of Western New York State, and the black roof mated well with chrome and black painted beltline. The rear end looks like it was taken straight from the concept stage, with taillights blending into the black surrounding paint, giving the Volt another face from behind. The beloved Saturn Sky backup light managed to find its way into the Volt, too.

Road Test: 2011 Chevrolet Volt - The College Driver

Mazda Motor Corp. (7261) says its making real-world fuel-efficiency a core attribute of a brand that mainly touts sporty handling as the Japanese carmaker seeks to lift U.S. volume 74 percent by mid-decade from last year.

Mazda next week begins U.S. sales of revamped Mazda3 compact cars with its Skyactiv engine and transmission that improves fuel mileage by 18 percent, said Robert Davis, senior vice president of U.S. operations. Cars with the powertrain get 40 mpg in highway driving without slowing acceleration, he said.

Mazda next week begins U.S. sales of revamped Mazda3 compact cars with its Skyactiv engine and transmission that improves fuel mileage by 18 percent, said Robert Davis, senior vice president of U.S. operations. Cars with the powertrain get 40 mpg in highway driving without slowing acceleration, he said. Its not acceptable to us have 40 mpg and sacrifice performance, Davis said in an interview yesterday. Mazda3 also delivers better fuel efficiency without shedding the spare tire or using a smaller fuel tank to cut weight as rivals have done, he said.

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (7270) s Subaru in volume. U.S. sales for the Hiroshima, Japan-based company totaled 229,566 in 2010 and may exceed 250,000 units this year, based on its pace through September. The companys target is 400,000 by mid-decade. Mazda peaked in 1986 at about 339,000.

Mazda Ties U.S. Expansion Goal to Sporty, 'Real' 40 MPG Cars - Bloomberg

TOM STROMME/Tribune Bismarck business owner Trevor Hendrickson said his 2009 Hyundai Sonata refused to run after filling a half tank of gasoline on 10-13. Hendrickson said the vehicle's gas tank had to be drained and filled with fresh gasoline before the car would run properly.

The reports from motorists who said they had engine problems prompted at least one Bismarck retailer to voluntarily stop selling 87 octane unleaded gas on Thursday.

Mark Leischner, owner of UNISTOP stores in Bismarck, Mandan and Washburn, said his stores received dozens of calls from customers who were reporting engine problems after filling their tanks.

Tesoro issued a statement at 6 p.m. Thursday that said: "The Tesoro Mandan Refinery has become aware of customer complaints involving all grades of gasoline, except for premium gasoline without ethanol, supplied to the Bismarck/Mandan area.

Refinery investigates reports of bad gas - Bismarck Tribune

Magellan Midstream Partners Petroleum has shut-down its Mankato fuel terminal after it was discovered their ethanol blend gasoline had more than a 10 percent blend. Twenty-one Minnesota communities, including Albert Lea and Austin, get fuel from that Mankato location.

Some fuel suppliers are now being sent to the Mason City Magellan terminal, making the longer drive in order to get good fuel back to southern Minnesota.

Some fuel suppliers are now being sent to the Mason City Magellan terminal, making the longer drive in order to get good fuel back to southern Minnesota. “This is an actual tester we use to test fuel samples,” said Charlie West, owner of Charlie’s Auto Repair.

West knows all about bad gasoline. “It could cause some damage to the exhaust system or converter which in turn could cause some mechanical damage in the engine,” said West.

Bad MN Gas Sends Suppliers to North Iowa - KIMT

Historic First: U.S. Uses More Corn For Fuel Than Anything Else - Green Car Reports