Texas gas stations who short consumers will be outed by state

The Dallas Morning News reported that Texas gas stations who short customers will be outed:

The Texas Department of Agriculture will begin publishing a list of gas stations that have shortchanged customers on its Web site, officials announced Tuesday.

The list, sorted alphabetically, gives the names and addresses of about 167 offending gas stations, the reason for failed inspections and the date and reason for each inspection over the past 60 days.

The site only includes stations that, in one way or another, shortchanged customers at the pump. Other reasons for failed inspections — including pumps that give customers more gas than what they paid for — are excluded from the list.

“We want Texans to know our inspectors are on the frontlines ensuring they are receiving what they are paying for,” Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. “By visiting the TDA Web site, drivers will have the information they need at their fingertips to know where gas pumps have been found out of compliance.”

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Here is that web site right here

Is hot gas costing you money?

By Ted Oberg

(7/25/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Oil companies are giving price breaks to drivers outside the US, but not to you. Some in Congress say they are breaks you should be entitled to. This week oil executives defended their decision in Washington.

We also found Ivan Ledet filling up his truck on the east side of Houston. He may not know why, but he notices his diesel is different in the summertime.

When he puts 300 gallons in his tank in the winter, it's a little more than half full. But in the summer it's a different story.

"I'll probably get maybe three quarters of a tank," he told us.

It's called hot fuel and consumer advocates say it's costing you.

Here's how it works. In the summer or wintertime you buy a gallon of gas. The size of a gallon never changes. It's what's inside that gallon that changes. When temperatures are cold, gasoline molecules are small. You get a lot of them in a gallon of gas. But the summertime heat causes everything to expand. You don't get as many of them in your gallon of gas. And that means you can't go as far on a gallon of gas, consumer advocates say, when gas is stored at a higher temperature.

In Canada, American oil companies give drivers a price break in hot weather. The oil companies give gas station owners the same break. But when you pump your own, you're not so lucky.

"How does the oil industry justify refusing to use temperature compensation for retail sales in the United States, while universally and voluntarily using them at retail in Canada," asked Rep. Dennis Kuchinich of Ohio.

Kuchinich and groups like the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights say new pumps should be installed which would monitor gas temperature and pumps more when the gas is hot. Shell says that won't make a difference.

"If retailers sell larger gallons, they will charge more for larger gallons," said Hugh Cooley of Shell.

A University of Houston chemical engineer told us it's too small for the average driver to measure.

"Whether it's winter or summer, all of the gas tanks are in the ground," said Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti. "The gas tanks in the ground, the temperature doesn't change as much as the ground does."

It may be just pennies for you. Estimates range from 50 cents a tank to nine cents a gallon, but one consumer group says it adds up $1.5 billion in cash for the oil industry.

That's money they get to keep and drivers like Ivan Ledet would love to have.

"I don't know if they could do something better with the technology on fuel so I could get a better shake," he said.

The national group that monitors weights and measures recently voted on a plan that would temperature adjust prices. It didn't pass.

Two bills in the Texas Legislature this year would also have adjusted prices for temperature. They both failed.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Gasoline thefts, plus feeling gouged?

Watch out!  If the bad guys want your gasoline, this is how they could try to get it:

Overall, gas thefts are down, as more stations require prepayments.

But when they steal gas, the thieves go to more extreme lengths to get it, according to anecdotal evidence from those in the industry.

One of the common tricks is removing license plates so they can't be tracked down.

Jeff Lenard, vice president of communications for the Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing, said that thefts from gas stations go up when prices climb.

He said that  thieves come in without license plates or set up elaborate schemes to block the security cameras.

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Meanwhile, 20/20's John Stossel says give him a break when it concerns gas prices:

Well, get this: It's not a record high. That's what they say in the media, but it's only a record high if you don't adjust for inflation. And that's just silly. You might as well say the movie "Rush Hour II" made more money than "Gone with the Wind." The media ought to quote prices in real dollars, but maybe when they get excited, they just don't bother.

Once you adjust for inflation, it turns out gas cost more 25 years ago, in March 1981. When the 1981 price is converted to 2007 prices (not 2006 prices, as the EIA did), last week's average price of $3.22 is seven cents below the record, $3.29, which by the way was a monthly average. See for yourself at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/fsheets/petroleumprices

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Got bad gas?

If you get bad gasoline, here's what you need to do!

1. Make sure you get a receipt when you fill up.

2. Tell the station what happened, if they refuse to help.

3. Take your car to a mechanic.

4. Have the mechanic test the gas and get a written estimate of the damage and repair cost.

5. Go back to the station with your estimates and your receipts.

Most stations have policies dealing with this problem, but if they still refuse to help…

6. Get ready for small claims court. Your gas receipt and written estimates of damages should be enough.

Remember, gasoline stations must stand behind the product they sold. Get that receipt every time you fill up, just in case.

WARNING: Fake gas coupons for sale online

Here is an important warning this time of year.  About.com says there could be fake gas coupons being sold online:

As gas prices rise, so do the offers enticing people to buy gas coupons online. Shoppers of online auction sites such as eBay.com, can find gas coupons clipped from newspapers, rewards-programs and gas-card gift cards, up on the auction block at substantially lower prices than the face value of the coupon. However, there is no guarantee that the coupons are legitimate and many buyers who have celebrated being the winning bidder have ended up losing their money.

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Blame gas prices on the Prius?

By Ted Oberg

(5/25/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Gasoline prices this holiday weekend are up 23 cents a gallon over last year, but apparently it's not changing many people's driving habits.

AAA Texas says more people will be driving this Memorial Day weekend than last year, and next year, the price could be even higher. One of the biggest reasons, the US doesn't have enough oil refineries and plans to build more could be in jeopardy.

But maybe we should just blame it on the Prius.

We'll call it the Twinkie phenomenon.

The 150 calorie delight just isn't selling as well as it used to. According to snack and wholesale bakery magazine, the Twinkie brought in $21 million less last year than the year before. That's a 20% drop. When people buy fewer Twinkies, the company makes fewer Twinkies. In fact two Twinkie factories closed in 2005.

Here's how it relates to gas prices.

So when President Bush says stuff like:

"Let us build on the work we've done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next 10 years."

It doesn't give oil companies much incentive to build or expand oil refineries. Right? Who's gonna spend more money to make something people will buy less of?

"It's just basic economics 101," said Barbara Shook of the Energy Intelligence Group. "If the demand isn't there, why spend billions of dollars on a facility that won't be used?"

Shell and a Saudi Arabian company are planning to spend billions to expand their Motiva refinery in Port Arthur, making it the largest in the nation, adding to the gas supply and hopefully helping to bring down the price. But the mixed signals from the president and the federal government are forcing industry to rethink some things.

Just this week, Shell's CEO said the attention on alternative fuels will have an impact industry wide. At this point, Shell says they are still planning to expand here, but they're watching closely.

Which brings us to the Toyota Prius getting 60 miles to the gallon, Prius drivers buy less gas, which is what the president said he wants. But the rest of us may be paying the long term price for the popularity of alternative fuels.

So can we blame the high price of gas on Prius owners?

"It's hard for me to be a judge, but put the pieces of the puzzle together, I might be thinking what you're thinking," said Prius salesman David Womack.

It's easier to see the future of the Twinkie than it is the future of fuel in America. But the business sense is the same, don't buy the Twinkie, they won't make the Twinkie. Don't buy as much gas, big oil won't expand refineries.

The real issue here isn't Twinkies or hybrid cars, but refinery capacity. US refineries are running at full tilt and it's still not enough gas for US drivers.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

No gas day on May 15, 2007?

You may have received this email:

On May 15th 2007, all internet users are to not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places.

There are 73,000,000+ American members currently on the internet network, and the average car takes about 30 to 50 dollars to fill up.

If all users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take $2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil companies pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil industry for at least one day.

If you agree (which I can't see why you wouldn't) resend this to all your contact list. With it saying, ''Don't pump gas on May 15th'

So is it true?  Snopes.com says no.

Gas prices going up

It's that time of year kids, when the media starts to talk about the rising cost of gas.  Is it a crisis?

Let's just say I've been doing this consumer gig long enough to realize that gas prices start going up towards the summer.  More folks will be on the road traveling.  If there is an active hurricane season and refineries are it, the prices will go even higher.  International affairs are a factor too.

Consumeraffairs.com reports that prices are starting to rise:

Gas prices zoomed upward in Texas over the past week driven by high wholesale prices that reflected investors' worry about the effects of Middle East tensions on supply, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.

The highest average on the list is Amarillo at $2.69 a gallon -- up eight cents. The cheapest average, $2.49 a gallon, was found in both Corpus Christi, where prices rose by 11 cents, and San Antonio, where prices increased by eight cents.

"Crude oil prices have dipped in the past couple of days, but it's too early to say whether that's a trend that will bring an end to increasing gas prices statewide and nationwide," said AAA Texas spokeswoman Rose Rougeau.

"Supply in west Texas continues to be affected by the Valero refinery closure. The refinery is expected to begin producing at half its normal output of 170,000 barrels of gas a day beginning in mid-April," Rougeau said.

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Natural gas tips

After this story, CenterPoint Energy sent us these tips concerning natural gas:

When natural gas comes out of the ground, it has little or no odor. For your protection, we add an odorant called mercaptan to natural gas so the public can detect even the slightest amount in the air. CenterPoint Energy would like to remind customers about the following natural gas safety tips:

If you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately, and tell others to leave, too.

Do not turn the lights on or off, smoke, strike a match, use a telephone – including a cell phone - or    operate anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or an automatic garage door.

Do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off or attempt to repair the leak yourself. Leave repairs to a trained technician.

Once safely away from the area, call CenterPoint Energy at 713-659-2111 or 1-800-752-8036 and we will send a trained service technician immediately.

Why aren't diesel prices budging but the price of regular gas is?

Peggy from Houston wrote into the KTRK Consumer Blog with the following gas-related question:

Everyone is talking about gas prices coming down. Why is the Diesel prices not budging?

We went to Dr. James Richardson at the University of Houston to find the answer. Here is what he told the KTRK Consumer Blog via email:

Crude oil costs account for about 52% (half) of the price of gasoline, so when oil prices rise and fall the price of gasoline will also change. However, with crude prices stable, the biggest influence on price is supply of the refined gasoline. We use more gasoline in the summer, so refiners stock up in the winter by making extra.

Nevertheless the price usually increases in the summer as we travel more. This summer we had a good supply and after Labor Day the prices began to fall. Note this did not happen last year because Katrina shut down about 15% of our refineries and 25% of our oil production.

Diesel is a little less seasonal since we don't use it in our automobiles. Its major use is for trucks, etc. Truck and off-road vehicles (tractors, farm equipment, etc) use more in the Fall and Spring (and there is competition from the heat oil market as it gets colder).

In other words, summer is over we use less gas and we have more of it, so prices fall; diesel does not follow the same trend.

Houston filling up with biodiesel from one pump station

By Jeff Ehling

(8/2/06 - HOUSTON) - With no relief in gas prices, some Houston drivers are finding a new source of fuel that's made right here in the United States.

We've already told you about new fuels like E-85 and vegetable oil. Now here's the next step - biodiesel. With this fuel, you don't have to make any modifications to your car to use it.

Chris Powers wants to make a difference in the world. So a couple of years ago, he opened a new, one pump gas station in the shadow of downtown Houston.

"Stations like ours...we're kind of like an alternative gas station," said Chris Powers who owns Houston Biodiesel. "This is not a Quickmart, it is just a warehouse with a pump."

That's because Powers only sells biodiesel.

Normally you only think of diesel in big trucks. Shooting out clouds of black smoke, but biodiesel is different.

While there are various blends available, Powers sells the B-99 blend which is 99% biodiesel and one percent petroleum diesel. Its makers claim the fuel is non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable, and sulfur-free.

That means less emissions which is better for the environment.

Powers is the only one selling B-99 and is starting to see it catch on.

"We started with 550 gallons of biodiesel two years ago and it took three months to sell that 550 gallons," Powers said. "Today we sell that much a day or more."

For a year and a half, Danyel Ramelow of Houston has been one of those buyers. He brings in extra gas cans in his truck so he doesn't have to make return trips.

"Yeah I'm filling up my tank and I have these as well, it kind of saves me a couple of tricks and I save them in my garage until I need them," Danyel Ramelow of Houston.

He believes skipping the corner mart in favor of biodiesel pays off. Today B-99 pumps for $2.68 a gallon. Inside the Beltway, most gas stations are selling diesel for around $2.85. B-99 users can also file for a tax credit.

But that's not what is important to Ramelow.

"It's lower emission and helping the environment and I support it," said Danyel Ramelow. "Obviously we can't stop driving cars."

While some drivers find benefits to biodiesel, Powers admits this is just the first step in the search for new ways to fuel.

"Biodiesel can't even get close to replacing diesel, we're not trying to replace diesel," Chris Powers. "Just offer an alternative to reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

Driver Bob Shape says besides helping the environment, using the fuel has other benefits.

"I get about the same mileage, the engine runs quieter and again the biggest benefit is it's a renewable resource," said Shape.

But just as this new alternative fuel is taking off, Powers says its fate remains in limbo. Legislation could be passed at the end of 2006 that would limit what could be sold - meaning no more B-99. That's because while B-99 has lower lead emissions, it could have higher nitrous oxide emissions.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality tells us it will continue to test B-99 and at this point has no word if it would be pulled from pumps.

We'll have to wait and see.

Houston Biodiesel is located on Drennan off Navigation. There is plenty more about this on the Consumer Blog.

>>Click here to send Jeff a consumer news tip
>>Read Jeff's Consumer Blog
>>Talk on the Consumer Message Board
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Vegetable Oil Q&A Part 3

A few weeks ago Jeff Ehling headed to Crosby, TX to meet Paul Edwards who built and drives the “French Fry Mobile.” That’s a Ford F-250 that now runs on diesel and vegetable oil. Yes, the same vegetable oil used to make French fries, hence the name.

Paul received many questions from abc 13 viewers and now we are posting those each day with his answers:

Question:  MR Edwards. I am in Webster and saw the 13 interview. I am impressed.. I recently became well,obsessed with bio diesel, I belong to a yahoo group but have never made any.. I was wondering if the next time u are making bio if I might be able to stop by and watch???

Answer:  Actually, I don't make any biodiesel.  I use 100% vegetable oil that has been filtered.  Biodiesel is made by treating vegetable oil with methanol to permanently thin it out.  If I were to use used vegetable oil to make biodiesel I'd have to add another step to treat it with methanol, which would take even more time.  Honestly, using 100% vegetable oil is cheaper in the long run because you're not having to buy any extra chemicals. 

In the system I installed, the vegetable oil is simply heated up to thin it out and it is injected straight into the engine. 

Question: So u dont have to add ANY chemicals to make it work???other than filtration?? Qow thats cool.

Answer:  That is correct.  Some people decide to do biodiesel because they don't want to buy a conversion kit.  However, from what I understand, you'll wind up paying about $0.70 a gallon, which is a good 6 times what I pay.  I have also heard that if the biodiesel is not made correctly it will actually break down the internal seals of a diesel engine.  That isn't something that is talked about very much, but it should be!

To me, straight vegetable oil is the way to go.  Up front it is expensive, but you'll save several times that over the years.

Here is the link to Edward’s page.

Check back for more questions and answers on vegetable oil vehicles.

Vegetable Oil Q&A Part 2

A few weeks ago Jeff Ehling headed to Crosby, TX to meet Paul Edwards who built and drives the “French Fry Mobile.” That’s a Ford F-250 that now runs on diesel and vegetable oil. Yes, the same vegetable oil used to make French fries, hence the name.

Paul received many questions from abc 13 viewers and now we are posting those each day with his answers:

Question:  Hey Paul, saw your story on the news tonight. I bought the vegistroke system and am waiting for delivery. Hopefully this week. Just curious if you dewater your oil by heating it or by letting it sit in the sun for a week or two. At first I had hell getting oil but now I'm having lots of luck and am getting it quite regularly.I live in Alvin and have had good luck getting the oil from the local bars that fry food. After I get the vegistroke going, my wife and I might buy the Jeep when it comes out in diesel and I will try homebrew biodiesel. I have been buying my  bio from Houston biodiesel and it runs great in my truck.Well I have to get, we have parrots and they are screaming due to my lack of attention.

Answer:  I don't have to worry about dewatering it at all.  One of my main suppliers gives it to me in buckets and they don't clean their fryers with water.  I've never had a water problem at all.  The filter that goes on the engine has a water separator that does work well.  I have learned to let the grease settle for at least a week.  When I finally filter the oil it is usually very clean.

Here is the link to Edward’s page.

Check back for more questions and answers on vegetable oil vehicles.

Earn money by driving around Houston

Earn money by driving around Houston

By Jeff Ehling

(7/25/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - A Houston-based company wants to give you gas money for driving around town, but there's a catch.

The catch is you have to turn your car into a rolling billboard. One Houston man thinks it's the wave of the future for advertising and he wants to pay you to get on board.

Let's face it -- sitting in traffic is a fact of life in Houston. While you are going nowhere, you are also burning away precious fuel. But what if there was a way to turn traffic jams into a money making opportunity?

Shawn McCoy of Accelerads said, "You can make up to $400 per month."

McCoy says you can earn cash simply driving around, if you agree to have an ad slapped on the back window of your car.

"It can be any ad," he explained. "It can be mortgage companies. It can be law offices. It can be elections, you know, campaigns."

The ads are see-through from the inside of the car. From the outside it's hard to see anything else. If you agree to turn your ride into a rolling billboard, a professional installer will place the ad in your back window. Then your driving habits determine how much money you make.

"If you drive 2,000 miles you make $400. If you drive 1,000 miles you make $200," McCoy said. "So it's based on how many miles you drive."

So far about 300 drivers have signed up to become rolling ads. The trick now is to convince businesses that the ads are effective. Any type of vehicle can be eligible.

"As long as it runs and has a back window, you are good," promised McCoy.

The ads are hard to ignore in traffic, but what does the driving public think?

"I think it's good advertising," said Dexter Dickey. "If it was my own company I would do it, but not for someone else."

"No, no, not me," James Adams said. "Because I just don't want advertising on my vehicle. I'd just rather just drive my car."

Mario Garcia admitted, "If I was kind of hurting for money, probably, then I would do it."

The company hopes to start putting ads on cars in the coming weeks. Here is a link to their website.

>>Click here to send Jeff a consumer news tip
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>>Talk on the Consumer Message Board
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Biodiesel Fuel

Today at 4:55 and 6 pm, Jeff Ehling showed us the Biodiesel alternative fuel. 

Chris Powers runs Houston Biodiesel.  Here is the link (at the time of this post, his site is down, he promises it will be back soon).  He also teaches a class on how to brew the fuel yourself.

Houston Biodiesel
723 N. Drennan Street
Houston, TX 77003
Phone: (713) 222-0832

Email him through us and we will pass along the questions to him.

What is biodiesel?
What are the different blends?

Vegetable Oil Q&A Part I

A few weeks ago Jeff Ehling headed to Crosby, TX to meet Paul Edwards who built and drives the “French Fry Mobile.” That’s a Ford F-250 that now runs on diesel and vegetable oil. Yes, the same vegetable oil used to make French fries, hence the name.

Paul received many questions from abc 13 viewers and now we are posting those each day with his answers:

Question: Do you have trouble getting used oil? Is that worth I? Can you buy un-used oil? How much. I think its a great idea, but the collection process seems a bit time consuming?

Answer: No, I have no trouble getting used oil. In fact the supply is abundant! I had a guy email the other day and offer 100's of gallons of it for free! I generally spend about 1 1/2 hours filtering about 40 gallons, which it takes me 2-3 weeks to go through. The collection process is actually the least time consuming part. I have a deal with a couple of restaurants that just put it in buckets beside their back door. All I have to do is throw it in the truck and go.

You can get new oil, but it is at least as expensive as diesel. I know places like Sam's sell it in bulk, and I found something the other day about some vegetable oil distributors. I don't think that is worth it because you'll spend as much money as you already do on your diesel. Of course, if you are in it for the good environmental impact alone and aren't interested in saving the money, I guess that is the way to go.

Paul

Here is the link to Edward’s page.

Check back for more questions and answers on vegetable oil vehicles.

Use Your Cell Phone To Find The Best Gas Prices

KABC in La La land gives us a story about a way to find cheap gas prices through your mobile phone. 

I tested it out for Houston and didn't have any luck with about 20 of our zipcodes.  The site's creators swears to me there are prices for Houston.  If you find some, let me know. 

It's called FuelGo.com, and works like other sites in the fact that it uses area volunteers to supply those cheap prices. 

So if you want to use the site, you'll have to start volunteering.

What about covering your windows with ads?

After yesterday's story on covering your car's windows with ads for extra money, we received the following viewer question:

“comments: I have a question. I am from Louisiana (not [from] Katrina). In Louisiana it is illegal to have covering on the windows that the police can not see through. How will this effect the see through ads. Enjoy your show.”

So we went to Shawn McCoy of Accelerads and got the following answer:

It is legal in Texas. However, the driver must have side mirrors; it is illegal to have the back window covered without one side mirror.

Ads on your car

Today at 4:55, Jeff Ehling showed you how to make money while driving around Houston.  Accelerads says they can help you do that.  They are signing drivers up now to put ads on the back window's of vehicles.  Don't worry, you can see through the ad from the inside.

http://www.accelerads.com/

Texas man converts diesel truck to run on vegetable oil

Texas man converts diesel truck to run on vegetable oil

Talk about alternative fuel

By Jeff Ehling

(7/19/06 - KTRK/CROSBY, TX) - If you think the price of gas is out of control, you're not alone. But you may be surprised how far one Crosby man has gone to fight back.

It is affectionately called the French Fry Mobile. It's a Ford diesel pickup truck converted to run on fuel that is either free or only ten cents a gallon.

Instead of buying fuel from a service station, Paul Edwards goes elsewhere. You see, the power behind Edwards F-250 is not fossil fuels. It's a deep fryer.

"I don't think about the gas prices any more," he said. "I literally, most of the time, could not tell you how much it costs because I don't pay attention anymore. It just doesn't matter. It's not relevant to me anymore."

Edwards has converted his truck to run off grease. The $2,000 vegetable oil conversion kit took him three days to hook up to his pickup, but ever since May, the high school physics teacher has been motoring around on restaurant refuse.

"You have to filter the oil," said Edwards. "Getting it from a restaurant, it usually has the breading from french fries or what ever in it, not very much, but you have to get that out because you do not want that running through the engine."

Edwards says it does take work to turn grease trappings into alternative fuel. He has to pick up the grease, dump it into a back yard barrel, then pump the used oil through a filter before putting it into his external fuel tank.

"Usually, I'm out here for about an hour and a half working on that, but I only do it every two or three weeks and I can afford that time every two or three weeks," said Edwards.

The truck still has its diesel tank and actually starts with diesel, but after the grease is heated, Edwards flips a switch to activate the grease tank.

"If you can use it and someone gives it to you to run your car, why not?" said mechanic Dan Stasio.

While powering a vehicle with grease may sound strange to you, mechanic Dan Stasio has seen it before.

"I had one customer years ago who converted a little rabbit diesel and we couldn't get over it when he brought it in and it was running off vegetable oil," said Stasio.

Stasio says as long as the grease is hot enough, it will not harm the engine. And thus far, the alternative fuel has padded the pocket of Paul Edwards.

"I would say I've probably saved $700 or $800 so far."

The truck averages 20 miles to the gallon, about the same as diesel power. And the emissions are not bad for the environment.

If you have more questions about making your car a French Fry Mobile, Edwards is ready to answer them for you, just log onto my blog.

>>Click here to send Jeff a consumer news tip
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(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

The French Fry Mobile - vegetable oil

Today at 4:55 and 6 pm, Jeff Ehling showed you a Crosby man who converted his Ford F-250 diesel truck to run on vegetable oil.  Paul Edwards says he as saved a lot of money by doing this. 

See more about the so-called "French Fry Mobile of Crosby" on Edward's web site. There is an email link if you want to ask him questions.

Also, Greasecar.com is where Edwards learned about the conversion process.

Edwards warns it's not easy to do this for a non-mechanical person.  Do it at your own risk.

Auto industry says more ethanol ready cars

We get a lot of questions about ethanol fuel.  E-85 and E-10 are two of the new alternative fuel types. Now the auto industry says they are building more vehicles that take this new fuel.

Here is the story we did last week on ethanol fuel:

Ethanol Q&A: Will it hurt your car?

There are two types of Ethanol

By Jeff Ehling

(6/29/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - After our last story on ethanol fuel, many of you have been writing in with concerns.

There was lots of confusion after new stickers started showing up on gas pumps around Houston. Some say ten percent ethanol, others E-85. So which one is right for your car and will it damage your ride?

The reason we're seeing ethanol added to gas is because of MTBE. What's that? A gas additive we've all been using for years that was declared unsafe for the environment.

The replacement is E-10 or a ten percent blend of ethanol with ordinary gasoline.

Ethanol is made from corn and other grains. Manufactures say it is a clean-burning fuel that can reduce exhaust emissions.

But will it hurt your car? Mike wrote into the KTRK Consumer Blog and asked:

"I got gas at a new station and the pump said 10% ethanol. Is it safe to use even the low percentage or do i need to just stay with plain old unleaded?"

Experts say there is no danger.

"It is a fuel, it improves the performance of the gasoline, all engines sold in the US are compatible, they have been for years," said University of Houston chemical engineering professor Dr. James Richardson.

But then there is E-85. That's 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent ordinary gasoline. This is the fuel that not every car can handle.

Robert wrote into the KTRK Consumer Blog:

"I filled up my 1999 dodge caravan with E-85 last night on the northwest side. The pump was at Kroger's on Highway 6, it's working great. Are there any more places around town to get it?"

Yes. There are only four locations in town right now, but more E-85 pumps are sprouting up around Houston from Tomball to Pearland and across America.

"Last year there were 600 filling stations and they expect this year there will be 2,500 and that's a big increase," said Dr. Richardson.

Jerry wrote to us. He told us that GM says on its website that vehicles running on E-85 may have a cruising range that is about 25% shorter than the same vehicle operating on regular gasoline.

That's true says Dr. Richardson, "In fact its 25 to 30% less."

Why is ethanol being used?

So what's the big deal with this new E-85 fuel? It doesn't give your car any more oomph, it only works in certain cars and it really doesn't cost that much less.

What it does do is cut down on pollution and stop our dependence on oil from the Middle East.

Right now E-85 is about thirty cents cheaper than the price of regular fuel. Experts say as the manufacturing process becomes easier, prices should start coming down.

Who is using it?

At a beer distributor near the middle of Houston, Ed Pritchard is responsible for a lot of vehicles.

Nineteen of which are flex -fuel vehicles, built to run on E-85. Pritchard says he's noticed no difference in driving.

"As E-85 has been available for us to run in our fleet, we've put E-85 on top of a half a tank of regular unleaded and there is no difference whatsoever," said Pritchard who works for Silver Eagle Distributors.

The reason for the switch? Experts say E-85 is better for the environment. But there has been a drawback.

"The biggest thing is there has been a mile per gallon penalty and what we've seen at our operation is about 20%," Pritchard said.

The Future

It's ironic that a beer distributor is using this corn based alternative fuel, because it's ultimately alcohol.

"E-85 is a blend and the reason it is blended is to denature it so it is poisonous so that we use all we can and drink it at the end - we don't want to do that," said Mike Merwarth of Clean Fuel USA.

And while corn is usually the main ingredient at this point, researchers are already working to replace that with waste says Merwarth, "From tree chips, for instance all the trees that were blown down from the Hurricane Katrina disaster, all of those things could be put into a biomass and hopefully be made into a fuel."

Experts say ethanol is a way to get the US less dependent on foreign oil and help the environment but it's just the first step.

"There is no way we can replace our usage of fossil fuels from stuff we grow, we don't have enough land," said Dr. James Richardson.

So will your car take E-85? And where can you fill up with this new fuel? We have the answers on the KTRK Consumer Blog.

>>Click here to send Jeff a consumer news tip
>>Read Jeff's Consumer Blog
>>Talk on the Consumer Message Board
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Gas-saving devices mostly a scam

Bankrate.com talked to the EPA and found out that most of the devices that want to help you improve gas mileage don't work:

Over the years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tested myriad gas-saving devices that burst onto the consumer scene: devices that bleed air into the carburetor or bubble air through a container of water and antifreeze mixture, fuel-line gadgets that heat the gas before it enters the carburetor, magnets that clamp to the inside or outside of the fuel line to change the gasoline's molecular structure and metallic fuel-line additives with dissimilar metals that claim to ionize the fuel.

Experts say they all have one thing in common. "They don't work," says John Millett, spokesman for the EPA. "Believe me, if it were that easy, cars would be built that way, especially the magnets and whirligig devices. It's smart to be skeptical about any claims like that."

Ethanol Answers

Today at 4:55 and 6 pm, Jeff Ehling answered your Ethanol Questions.  Here are some links that can explain things in more detail:

What is the 10% Ethanol blend we are all filling up with?
CLICK HERE

What's this 85% Ethanol blend fuel?
CLICK HERE

Can your vehicle take E-85?
CLICK HERE

Where can you fuel up with E-85?
CLICK HERE

Ethanol production in Texas
CLICK HERE

Jeff's previous Ethanol story
CLICK HERE

Comment or talk on our Consumer Message Board.

How To Save on Gas - Tips to Improve Mileage

About.com has some tips to help you improve your vehicle's mileage and save on gas.

Share gas savings tips on our Consumer Message Board.

Your Ethanol questions

Have a question about using Ethanol fuel?  Ask us here on the blog, or on our Consumer Message Board and we'll try to get the answer.

Jeff on the Job links

You saw Jeff on the Job 2 on abc13, now get the online version. Click here for the links to many of the stories you saw on the TV special.

Storage unit auctions bring hidden treasure
If you've ever rented a storage unit, you know some pretty strange stuff ends up stored. What you may not know is that when someone stops paying rent, the contents go to the highest bidder.

HDTV sets come with plenty of hidden costs
If you're thinking about upgrading your television, buyer beware. There are hidden costs with HDTV that can leave you flat broke. If you're not careful you could end up spending hundreds more for things you don't need or pass on something vital.

Money mistakes could be worth big bucks for you
A 1798 draped bust dollar is worth $50,000! And a 1922 matte proof dollar can fetch a whopping quarter of a million dollars! You'll probably never own one of these in your lifetime, but you could have a smaller treasure in your pocket worth hundreds of dollars and not even realize it.

How to avoid overpaying sales tax when shopping
It sounds easy enough. Some things at the store are taxable and some things are not. If you're leaving it to the stores to figure out sales tax, you might be getting overcharged on a daily basis.

Putting a system to help you win the lottery to the test
Forget about Powerball, how about winning thousands of dollars a week playing the Texas lottery? Lottery help systems are for sale online and they guarantee a 95% win success rate. But do they really work?

Want legitimate work from the comfort of your own home?
Who wouldn't want the chance to work at home? It's a dream that is becoming a reality for many Houstonians. We're always receiving questions about this in the consumer office. How can I work from home? How do I know if a company offering that chance is legit? Well, here is an opportunity that offers the real deal.

Now make sure to catch Jeff on the Job 2 on 13.2 Digital TV.

E85 Ethanol in your car?

Today at 5 and 6, Jeff talked about E85.  That's the Ethanol based fuel made from corn.  It is only available at one Kroger gas station on Hwy 6 near Hwy 290.  While the fuel only costs $2.59 a gallon, you will have to buy more of it than regular gasoline to get around town.  Something else to consider, it doesn't work in every car. READ THE FULL STORY.

Will the new E85 Ethanol fuel work in your car?  Find out here.

- Learn more about this new fuel
- Tell us your fuel stories

Chat about Ethanol or other fuel in our new Consumer Message Board.

Bad gas resolution

A couple of weeks ago, we told you Mandy Owens' story.  She went to a Houston-area gas station, filled up and then her car stopped working.  The culprit - bad gas. 

The good news is that with our help, the gas station has repaired her car:

Jeff, I finally got a check today. I took it to the dealership and my car should be ready by Friday, thanks for everything you have done. Without you, I [probably] would not have got the car fixed.

We're glad to help. 

Texas AG shuts down fuel pill company

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott shut down a Dallas-based company who the state believed peddled fake fuel pills in a pyramid scheme.

Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling was in the middle of testing these pills for a future story. 

Here is the full release from the Attorney General's Office:

Abbott Shuts Down Dallas-based Bioperformance For Peddling Fake Fuel Pills In Pyramid Scheme

Claims of increased gas mileage to save consumers money called bogus

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today filed a lawsuit and obtained a temporary restraining order and asset freeze against Texas-based BioPerformance Inc. The company, organized as an illegal pyramid scheme, markets a fuel pill it falsely claims will boost gas mileage and save consumers money.

BioPerformance Inc., president and owner Lowell Mims and co-owner Gustavo Romero of Irving advertise nationally via the Internet and through seminars around Texas and other states, exploiting the climate of today’s high fuel prices. The company’s ads claim the gasoline pills and powders they offer have a non-toxic “top secret gas pill” that can increase fuel efficiency by 30 percent or more and cut harmful emissions by up to 50 percent. In fact, the additive is basically the chemical equivalent of mothballs, which are toxic.

“BioPerformance claims its top-secret gas pills can save consumers big bucks at the gas pump,” said Attorney General Abbott. “These claims are bogus; the pill does absolutely nothing to improve gas mileage. The company is merely a smokescreen to trigger the recruitment of more and more paying members into what appears to be an illegal pyramid scheme.”

Scientists who tested the product at the University of Texas at Austin and at a Florida university concluded that the pills are mainly naphthalene, the chemical found in mothballs. The Attorney General’s laboratory expert actually concluded BioPerformance’s product could decrease engine performance.

Legitimate multi-level marketing businesses pay commissions based on the sale of goods and services, while illegal pyramids, which the Attorney General alleges BioPerformance is, pay commissions based mainly on the recruitment of people to the organization.

Consumers are encouraged to become “dealers” at the various dazzling seminars BioPerformance sponsors around the country, at start-up costs of between $300 to over $500. Members can participate at various levels of “business volume” sales, but ultimately the plan functions on the basis of how many others a member can recruit to become dealers, which is by definition a pyramid scheme. On its Web site the company boasts almost 4,500 Texas members with $25 million in sales since December.

The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the promotion of an illegal pyramid scheme, which can result in penalties of $20,000 per violation. The suit requests restitution to consumers who have been financially harmed by the false promises of this operation. These false income promotions include slick Web site come-ons for new sports cars, mansions and exclusive vacations “just for helping Americans save money on gas.”

The Attorney General’s scientific expert also found that the chemical compound used in these pills can be harmful to humans. Short-term exposure to naphthalene by humans via inhalation, ingestion or skin contact can result in anemia and neurological or liver damage.

Consumers who encounter a business that is making false claims or appears to be operating as a pyramid scheme may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.oag.state.tx.us.