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Blue Seal Spotlight
January/February 2005

Hawthorne Auto Clinic 4307 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97215 (503) 234-2119

Why Hybrids?

Over half the oil consumed in the United States is imported. Passenger cars and trucks consume the largest share of this oil - 40%. America's Annual Energy Outlook 2004, the most recent U.S. government projection, predicts we will be importing 70% of our oil by 2025.

The average passenger vehicle achieves only 20 miles per gallon. By contrast, the 2004 Toyota Prius hybrid averages 55 mpg; the 2004 Honda Civic hybrid averages 48 mpg; and the 2005 Ford Escape hybrid SUV is expected to average 33-36 mpg in city traffic, nearly twice the mileage of its conventional, gasoline-powered counterpart.

Every gallon of gas burned forms nearly 20 pounds of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a significant contributor to global warming. Cars, trucks, and buses in the U.S. contribute more heat-trapping emissions of carbon dioxide than any other source. The more fuel-efficient a car is, the less it contributes to global warming.

More than half of America's air pollution is transportation-related. Today's hybrids use state-of-the-art pollution control technology and are among the cleanest cars on the road. They meet or beat the stringent California Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard and far outdo the most stringent federal standards.

Both the Honda and the Toyota have long warranties on the hybrid systems. The electric motors and batteries in these cars don't require any maintenance over the life of the vehicle. Because both hybrids have regenerative braking, the brake pads may even last a little longer than those on most cars.

With any Hybrid:

• Proper tire pressure is very important for optimum fuel economy.
• Drive slower, maintain a constant speed for best mileage.
• Service the hybrid vehicle internal combustion engine as you would any other engine.

With the Prius: 

• Do NOT spray water in the side vent behind the rear door. This vent is for the High Voltage (HV) battery.
• Do NOT cover vents on rear parcel shelf. They provide fresh air for the HV battery.
• Watch out for pedestrians in the "stealth" (0 - 20mph) mode as the car is silent.

As a footnote, the Internal Revenue Service, and some states, offer tax deductions for hybrid vehicle purchases. Visit www.hybridcars.com for the latest news on hybrid vehicles and why you should consider a hybrid for your next vehicle purchase.

Shop Profile

Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Inc., founded in 1983, is owned and operated by Liz Dally, President and General Manager, and Jim Houser, Sec-Treasurer and Co-manager. They have been involved in programs to improve auto repair store environmental practices including participating in the writing of "Keep Your Shop in Tune, A Best Management Practices Guide for Automotive Industries". They were also instrumental in establishing the Eco-Logical Business program for certifying auto repair stores that reach the highest standards in minimizing their environmental impact. (Visit www.ecobiz.org.) The technicians at Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Inc are all ASE-certified technicians and are trained in the service and repair of hybrid vehicles. For more information on Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Inc. visit www.hawthorneauto.com.