What Is a Hybrid Car?

Although there are many versions of hybrids now, Hybrids are generally referred to as gas-powered cars with electrical motor assist. Generally when you are driving at reduced speeds the electric motor is completely powering the car and when you reach freeway speeds, the gas engine takes over completely. The electric motor can also help in other ways such as when you are driving up a hill and could use the extra assistance. There has been rising controversies over the years about hybrid cars as to the actual amount of savings due to the gas mileage they receive. Originally perceived as being gas sippers, American car companies are now rolling out their own versions of hybrids with less than spectacular gas mileage, claiming that ‘hybrids are not to save on gas consumption but to help the environment’. Time will tell who wins this race, but as of right now the dominating hybrids are being produced by foreign automakers. Some popular models include:

• Lexus RX 400h SUV              
• Toyota Prius
• Honda Civic
• Honda Accord
• Honda Insight
• Toyota Highlander
• Ford Escape
• Hummer (just kidding)

Saving Money When Buying a Hybrid

• Saving money buying a hybrid car is no different than shopping for a gas-powered car. If you are interested in buying a hybrid, still refer to our section on Buying A New Car

• Web Sites Like Cars.com, Yahoo!Autos, Autobytel, and Edmunds.com can get you started on your way to searching for Hybrids, getting invoices and checking out different gas mileage for each one.

Important: The number 1 way you can tell if a hybrid is going to save you money is to compare the hybrid version of a car to its gas only version or another gas powered car you are considering. Calculate how much better the gas mileage is on the hybrid compared with the difference you are paying in the two vehicles. In most cases, it will take around 5 years to see a savings in your pocket from the gas mileage, especially with American hybrids.

• You definitely will not see many immediate savings, but there are some limited government tax breaks for having a hybrid and perks such as getting to drive in the carpool lane with one person in states like California (and others). If you want some immediate savings on your new purchase, we suggest you finance your loan outside the dealership at a place like: Myautoloans.com or Any-credit-auto-loans.com.

Hybrid Gas Mileage

• If you live in a city like Los Angeles, where you don’t get your car above 35 MPH ever due to traffic, a hybrid is a very smart investment. However, if you live in places where you can drive like the AutoBahn in Germany, then a hybrid choice is just a smart choice to help out the environment and less for gas consumption reasons. The average consumer sees a 10-20% improvement in gas consumption, but it really depends on where you live. Newer hybrids rolling out this year (2009 models) will be offering plug in hybrids, which can reach gas mileage of up to 100 MPG. That changes things a little bit compared to driving my Jeep which only gets 15 miles to the gallon, but is not bad enough to make the switch yet. As of right now, hybrids are averaging around 35 MPG on the highway and 45 on city streets when driving at reduced speeds.

Be Careful: When you turn hybrids on or drive at reduced speeds, they make literally no noise. Because of this, animals that sleep under cars can’t hear you about to take off. Pet deaths have increased this year already due to hybrids! If you do buy a hybrid, be responsible and look under your car first before driving away. Watch out for those darn Cats!

Quick Facts About Hybrids.

• Not all of Hybrids are plug-ins. These plug-in hybrids will start popping up in 2009 models to increase the power of the electric battery, but as of right now they are nothing you need to worry about.

• They may not be as good on gas as you think. As stated earlier, American hybrids coming out are not even giving you more than a 10% increase on gas efficiency. They claim “Hybrids are about being good for the environment”, not just to be good on gas. Such a scam. Foreign hybrids are averaging anywhere from 35-45 MPG on highway/city. If you live in a congested city, get a hybrid if you really want to see savings on gas. Why waste gas sitting in traffic?

• You cannot drive a hybrid without having gas in the car. It is not ok to run out of gas on the road and expect to keep cruising on electric mode to your house.

• Hybrid car batteries now come with extended warranty. Once a problem for early models, the new batteries will not die on you. :

• Hybrids will not save you immediate money on the road. Unless you are trading in your current car straight up for a hybrid, you will not reap instant savings. Taking out a loan to buy a hybrid, which are typically more expensive than most cars is not any sort of sound investment. It can take you 5-6 years to see any realistic savings from your MPG

• Hybrids are great for the environment. Everyone wants to save on gas money, but this issue is of much greater importance. There’s no need for gas without our earth. .

The Five Driving Modes Of Hybrids

Review these different driving modes carefully. You may find yourself in these situations regularly or not at all. Hybrids are not for everyone in terms of wanting to save on gas. Some people are better off buying a much cheaper gas powered car that gets close to the MPG of a hybrid since the savings on a hybrid that gets only 5MPG more can take a decade to reap the rewards.

• Full Stop, initial acceleration and low speed mode. Probably the best features about a hybrid. When you stop for any reason like a stop sign, red light or traffic, the electric motor will kick in. It will even give you the first initial push back into drive mode, which can save lots of gas. There is no reason to waste gas and put off emissions when you are not moving or just taking off which is a big problem for gas powered vehicles and can drain your fuel faster than you think. Hybrids will save all your stop and go gas problems. You electric motor will also take care of all low speed city driving. Slow traffic, driving through neighborhoods and windy canyon roads will keep you under 35 MPH. In all cases, your electric motor will be helping you gas free with zero emissions. That’s Awesome!

• Reverse Mode. The electric motor will take care of all of your reversing. You will not waste any gas again parallel parking or backing out of drive ways.

• Heavy Acceleration. If you are driving up a big hill or accelerating quickly, both engines will be working for you. This doesn’t necessarily help your fuel economy since both engines are working simultaneously for the same goal of getting you up to the desired speeds.

• Highway Driving: In this mode, your car is powered dominantly by the gas motor. If you commute to work regularly in areas where you can keep a constant highway speed without much traffic, a hybrid is not going to help you much. This would be a case where buying a cheaper gas powered car can be much more economical.

• Coasting and Slowing Down Mode. This is where the hybrid generates power for it’s electric battery. When you brake or coast, your battery is being charged by the same old kinetic energy being used today in gas-powered cars for charging your standard car battery. It’s called regenerative braking. Depending on your speed, you may or may not be using the electric motor, but this is where your hybrid gets its juice.

Quick Pros and Cons About Hybrids.

There are pros and cons to owning a hybrid vehicle. Here are a few things to think about as you make your decision.

Pros:

• Hybrid vehicles help the environment. They run cup to 80% cleaner than conventional modern engines, which means a greener planet once everyone has made the switch.
• Electric batteries are now covered by an extended warranty. They are much more reliable now than previous hybrids. If you do buy one without warranty, be sure to buy some extended warranty with SmartAutoWarranty.com
• Tax deduction. In 2005, it was $2,000. It’s not amazing, but it’s a start and owning a hybrid will only become more recognized by the government in the future for tax relief.
• Your slow city driving, stop and go antics, and slow coasting are all taken care of gas free!
• Although now becoming less common, some states allow hybrids with single drivers in them to cruise the carpool lane past that morning traffic.

Cons:

• Long distance driving at consistent high speeds does not do anything for you. Electric energy is not used at all during these times.
• Hybrids are tough to find due to waiting lists
• Hybrids can cost more than their gas powered sister cars, and it could take you a decade to see savings on the gas mileage.
• Just because the sticker says the hybrid gets amazing gas mileage, it all depends on how you are as a driver.

If You Own A Hybrid Or End Up Buying One, Let Us Know How It Goes.....