What is Dual Fuel?

/in , /by

A dual fuel vehicle is a vehicle that has a tuned system that allows the vehicle to operate on two types of fuel. The only heavily used dual-fuel system is that of the LPG/Petrol setup.

My brother, when he was at university, had an old Holden Kingswood ute that packed a fair bit of grunt. This also meant that it loved to guzzle the gas. Alongside the steering column was a switch that could be flicked two ways. When the switch was flicked upwards, it meant that the old girl would run on petrol. If it was flicked downwards, it meant that she would run on LPG. A couple of decades ago, LPG was much, much cheaper than petrol at the pump. So a lot more LPG passed through the Kingswood’s engine compared with the petrol alternative! This was my first introduction to a dual fuel vehicle.

The general consensus is that the bigger the engine size, the greater the margin for saving cash at the pump if you run a larger engine on LPG instead of the petrol alternative, which is why many people choose to install a dual fuel system.

After-market LPG/ petrol conversions can be carried out on petrol powered engines; however, they do need to be performed by professionals.

But what, you may rightly ask, are the benefits of having a dual fuel vehicle? First and foremost, the duel fuel system can help you to save considerable amounts of money in travel expenditure. Secondly, the benefit of running a dual fuel system means that you will have done your bit to help the environment stay considerably more pollutant free by reducing the volume of carbon emissions that you would otherwise release into the atmosphere. The bulk of emissions from an LPG powered motor vehicle are mostly water.

 

Dual Fuel Conversions – Myths Busted!

/in , /by

There’s numerous myths floating around dual fuel conversions, autogas and its use in your car – Gas Energy Australia busts some of the most prominent ones.

Myth: Dual Fuel Conversions and Autogas is not as safe as other fuels Busted. In Australia, the LPG Autogas industry is controlled by rigorous national standards and additional state regulations. In fact, LPG Autogas is one of the safest fuels on the market.

Myth: Not many service stations sell Autogas Busted. LPG Autogas is available right throughout Australia with more than 3,700 outlets. You can find Autogas in every suburb and country town.

Myth: It’s difficult to save money because Autogas vehicles have lower fuel efficiency than petrol vehicles? Busted. While some systems have a slight increase in fuel consumption, this is easily offset by the cheaper price of LPG Autogas to petrol. Many recent Autogas cars take you further on a single tank than some petrol cars.

Myth: Cars lose power after being converted to LPG Autogas Busted. Current advanced Autogas vapour and liquid injection technologies now match and often surpass the power and drivability of petrol systems.

Myth: The gas tank leaves little space in the boot Busted. Modern LPG Autogas tanks leave plenty of boot space for prams, shopping and other common items. For those who don’t want to lose any boot space at all, a donut style tank may be able to be fitted in the spare wheel well. Some of the latest model Autogas cars have fitted the tank underneath the car, meaning no there’s no tank in sight.

Interested in your car having a dual fuel conversion completed – please contact us

For more information on LPG and how much you could save, head to autogas.org.au.

Source: Gas Energy Australia

Dual Fuel – 3 tips to cut driving costs

/in /by

Beat the Budget with 3 Tips to Cut Driving Costs With the 2013 -14 Budget leaving little wiggle room for Australian families, it’s time to start thinking about simple ways to tighten our belts. Dual Fuel is a fantastic way to save your family money.

Gas Energy Australia members such as LPG Auto Power have been helping motorists save money for almost 50 years and have provided these simple tips:

TIP #1

Think hard about your vehicle choice.
The internet is a beautiful thing. With the click of a mouse you can access car trading websites, automotive advice and read online magazines. Do research into what you can afford before you get ankle deep in salesman country. If you are buying a used car, bring along someone who knows about their mechanics. The car might be a lovely colour, but worn parts will see you forking out way more than you bargained for!

TIP #2

Switch to LPG Autogas
Whether you’re buying a new car or converting your current vehicle, switching to Autogas
can save up to thousands of dollars per year. Not only does it cost less to fill up at the pump, but the clean burning fuel can save on servicing costs. Government grants are available to help family motorists make the transition to Autogas even easier!

TIP #3

Shop around for insurance
Try using an insurance comparison website and go for the cover that takes into account your personal driving and living situations. Choice and Money magazine offer unbiased and extensively researched advice. If you are happy with your insurer but your premium is high, call them. Let them know another company can offer you the same thing at a lower price. Chances are they will shave a few dollars off, rather than losing you all together.