Maintenance Matters

The Informative Newsletter of Alan Cox Automotive         June, 2008
In This Issue
Corn Based Ethanol: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
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Cut Your Power Costs This Summer with Simple-But-Effective Techniques
Light Bulb
 
Cook Out More - Cook on a grill or use your microwave oven instead of the oven.
Adjust Water Heaters - Try turning your water heater down to 115-120 degrees.
Put a Lid on It - When cooking on the stove, put lids on pans to hold as much heat in as possible.
Air Dry - Turn off the drying function on your dishwasher. Dry clothing on clotheslines or hangars whenever possible.
Unplug Electronics - Disconnect home electronics, computers, copiers, printers, and other electric appliances when not in use. Even when switched off, many of these items continue to use electricity and emit heat.
Fan Out - Ceiling fans make a room feel cooler by 4 degrees or more. Make sure you turn up your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher to reduce energy costs.
Improve your Timing -  Limit hot and wet work to nighttime or early morning hours when temperatures are lower. This goes for ironing, washing clothes or dishes, mopping floors, etc.
Tune Up - Improperly charged air conditioner uses more energy than one that is properly charged.  Have a licensed heating and A/C contractor service your system.
Keep It Clean - Take care of your air conditioning unit. Change filters once a month, because dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause the coil in your air conditioner to freeze up and significantly increase your energy use. Keep area around outside A/C unit clear of weeds and debris. Air must be able to circulate freely around your outside unit. 
 
Info provided by Marietta Power.
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Alan Cox Automotive
1326 Cobb Parkway North
Marietta, GA  30062
770-427-1745
Fax 770-427-0786
Dear Friend,
 
Summer officially begins June 21 but the temperatures tell us summer is already here. The kids are out of school and vacation plans are being made.  Remember Father's Day is June 15.
 
Do you have a new or young driver in your family?  We have an excellent brochure "Be Car Care Aware" published by the Car Care Council.  The brochure is very educational with information about vehicle components and service intervals. Pick up the brochure next time you are in the shop. If I may be of assistance to you please call.
 
Sherry
Drive Safely,
 
Sherry Richardson
 
P.S.  Remember to have a mini service for $29.95 prior to heading on vacation.  Call today 770-427-1745.
Corn Based Ethanol: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Ethanol has become hot. Recent federal legislation called for the doubling of ethanol production by 2012, and President Bush likewise advanced ethanol as an alternative fuel in his 2007 State of the Union Address. Vehicle manufacturers have begun to tout their flex-fueled vehicles. Meanwhile, political action committees, lobbyists, and corn-belt politicians have ramped up their efforts to bring CBE (corn-based ethanol) projects home to their agriculture constituents.
 
Replacing imported gasoline with a renewable homegrown commodity like corn would appear to be a "slam dunk," but on closer inspection the case becomes less clear-cut.
 
First, the Good                               
Proponents of corn-based ethanol argue it is a good deal because
  • Corn is grown domestically
  • Supports the U.S. farm economy
  • Promotes energy independence
  • Helps reduce the trade deficit
  • Environmental benefits:
    • Corn's renew ability and sustainability
    • Its use in "co-products" such as animal feed and corn syrup
    • Growing corn absorbs carbon from the atmosphere

The resulting ethanol is

  • Non-toxic
  • Does not adversely affect water tables
  • A major spill would not be as damaging as a gasoline or oil spill
  • Technically superior-higher octane rating (~113 vs. gasoline)
  • More engine power, especially in optimized engines
  • Positive "energy balance" i.e., the energy content of ethanol exceeds the fossil energy used to produce it

Not so fast, the Bad             

Opponents argue corn-based ethanol is a bad deal
  • Growing corn for fuel reduces supply of other commodities like soybeans that would otherwise be grown
  • Raises the price of these commodities
  • Increases the demand and price of corn, which hurts corn-fed industries like beef and dairy
  • Poor countries suffer as the price of everything from corn flakes or corn syrup, tortillas and milk goes up
  • Environmental concerns:
    • Water pollution caused by chemical run-off from the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides required by corn
    • Top-soil depletion as farmers cut back on crop rotation to concentrate on growing corn
  • Technical opponents note
    • Vehicles engines are optimized to run on gasoline so they get less MPG on ethanol without a corresponding lower price per gallon
    • Ethanol cannot be moved through existing oil pipelines, it must be transported by more expensive truck and rail
    • Opponents argue the net energy balance has been overstated

And the Ugly, or at least a good deal murkier.

  • Some say that corn lobbyists and big agri-business hog federal and state funding to the detriment of both local farmers and research for other alternative fuels.
  • Still others argue that any tax supported bio-energy research diverts funding from pressing needs like health, education and welfare.
  • Some question the wisdom of granting clean air credits to OEMs for building and selling flex-fuel vehicles when consumers often fill them up with traditional gasoline.

Despite advances in R&D, several researchers claim that corn ethanol actually has a six fold negative energy balance while other researchers say such claims are flat-out wrong.

Likewise, estimates of the amount of water needed to produce the corn crop varies widely, as do figures estimating the impact on top soil. And some see health hazards (an increase ozone-related deaths) where others see no such risk.

The debate surrounding corn-based ethanol is complex, with claims and counterclaims, and a host of political and special interests. In the end, let us hope that wisely applied governmental incentives will encourage all "alternative" players to seek answers to our "3E" challenges of energy conservation, economics, and environmental stewardship.

Excerpts of article by Bob Rodriguez, ASE Blue Seal Tech News, Winter, 2008.

Thank you for your continued patronage.  If you have a vehicle for sale please let us know.  We have several people looking for good dependable vehicles.
Drive safely,

Sherry Richardson
Alan Cox Automotive
 
P.S. Remember: Refer a new customer and you both receive a Free mini service.  Have your friend tell Nick you referred them.
 
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Eleanor Roosevelt
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Is your A/C ready for summer?
Mention or print this coupon and
Receive a Free A/C Check.*
 
If your A/C is low on freon an evacuate and recharge is $137 on most vehicles.
           770-427-1745
Offer Expires: June 30, 2008                    * $43.00 value; not valid with any other coupon