SnugTops on TV
Adventurer/traveler Tom Holm, best known as host of the Adventure Highway with Tom Holm television series program shown on OLN (formerly known as the Outdoor Life Network), has equipped his '05 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 pickup with a smooth-side SnugTop XV cap in his quest to set a coast-to-coast alternate fuel world record. The trek across the U.S. from Huntington Beach, California, to Coney Island, New York, will be done using P-100 (100 percent plant oils) as fuel. Holm hopes to call attention to this American-grown and readily available fuel source and set a Guinness World Record.
Holm opted to equip his Chevy dualie with a SnugTop to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency and secure storage capacity. The respected journalist said, "It's been well-documented that a cap will improve aerodynamics of a pickup truck and boost fuel economy. We are looking for every advantage in our quest for this Guinness World Record and that's why we've turned to SnugTop." Holm went on to add, "The cap will also allow us to store the P-100 containers in the bed of the truck with security."
SnugTop has been a leading manufacturer of fiberglass truck caps and tonneau covers since 1959, and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.
The Sport Truck10 Useful Tips for Saving Gas This Summer
Summer road trips used to be associated with freedom, but this year, with gas prices still hovering around the $2.88/gallon-mark nationally, they're more likely to be associated with costs. Although the days of cheap gas may be behind us, Autobytel.com's auto experts tell us that there are things drivers can do to put less fuel in the tank and put a little more "freedom" back into their summer road. Here are 10 simple ideas to make your car more fuel-efficient from Autobytel.com's experts:
1. Check your owner's manual to find out what fuel octane rating your car's engine needs then buy it. Resist the urge to buy higher-octane gas for "premium" performance, unless your car requires it. Octane has nothing to do with the gasoline's performance, merely its volatility factor in the combustion chamber. Translation: If your manual doesn't specify that your car needs premium gas, there's no reason to pay more for it.
2. Keep your tires inflated to the proper levels. Under-inflated tires make it harder for your car to move down the road, which means your engine uses more fuel to maintain speed. In fact, a single tire under-inflated by 2 pounds per square inch (psi) increases fuel consumption by one percent. Check your owner's manual or the decal in your car's doorjamb for correct inflation levels.
3. Make sure that you change the oil and maintain your car's powertrain according to your owner's manual. This will ensure that your car's engine will operate at maximum efficiency, thus providing the best fuel economy. Dirty air filters, old spark plugs, and low fluid levels can affect engine performance and fuel efficiency.
4. Lay off the accelerator. A car uses more fuel under hard acceleration. So don't race up to red lights or stop signs, avoid quick jackrabbit starts, and don't goose the throttle to jump into holes in traffic.
5. Avoid high speeds on the highway. As your speed increases, the aerodynamic drag increases in exponential fashion, so the engine has to work harder and use more fuel to maintain your speed and move the car through the atmosphere. Driving 62 mph instead of 75 mph can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent. If you have it, cruise control is a great way to maintain a safe, fuel-efficient highway speed while cutting down on fuel-burning deceleration/acceleration.
6. Lighten the load. Heavier vehicles use more fuel, so clean out unnecessary weight in the passenger compartment or trunk before you hit the road.