BioDiesel for all

These days, everyone is looking for ways to curb energy usage by dimming the lights in their homes, letting heated pools cool down, and by combining errands when out driving. Collectively, the US has seen energy usage plummet to where we're using billions of gallons less fuel every month.

Alternative energy is gaining steam as windmill power grows in importance, solar energy is ramping up, and geothermal sources are being considered. Add in nuclear power, clean coal, ethanol, and a host of other methods for generating power and America's new found zeal for energy efficiency is likely to take hold.

Some uncommon ways to save or make fuel are also big in the news including the following:

Hypermiling – This practice involves extending your car's fuel range through a host of controversial tactics including shutting down the engine and coasting when traveling down a hill, following in the wake of a truck to reduce wind drag, and removing unnecessary objects from the car, including rear seats, door paneling, or anything else that adds to the weight of the car.

Running on Water – I'm not sure how many people have ruined their engines this way, but kits promising to make it possible to help your car run on water are now being sold. Clearly, this technology isn't doing what it has promised to do, gumming up engines and wrecking cylinder heads in the process.

Biodiesel – Making your own fuel is possible if you don't mind messing around with restaurant grease. Provided your car already runs on diesel, this method does work, though the amount of work needed to convert grease into fuel is amazing. Is that French fries coming from that Volkswagen Jetta diesel whizzing down the street?

Chicken Poop – No joke, animal waste is now being used to produce energy. Chicken manure is currently being used in the Netherlands to fuel as many as 90,000 homes. Will a savvy entrepreneur think of a way to take farm excrement and produce fuel for your Volkswagen? That day cannot be far away!

While the various ways of producing alternative fuel sources or realizing fuel gains is intriguing, go with the proven methods only. Likely we'll begin to hear complaints from unsuspecting consumers who tried a controversial scheme and it failed, rendering their vehicle warranty null and void.

Don't put you and your car in a compromising position; think each project through and save on fuel now by limiting your driving and combining trips.