Saturn Flextreme

[Godiva]

Yes, the Flextreme is another car and might go under other cars but I'm putting it here because my question is more to do with the environment.

In reading an article about this car I come upon this:

" Running on just electricity, the Flextreme is capable of driving up to 34 miles before the diesel engine fires up to pour juice back into the batteries. This range, GM claims, will enable many drivers to own the vehicle for months or years without ever traveling far enough to require the Flextreme's diesel engine to run during their normal commute, providing completely emissions-free operation."

So my question is....exactly how long is the shelf life of the fuel GM proposes to put in the Flextreme. I ask because if a conversation my Dad and I had about a lawn mower. I was supposed to add some oil to the gas to run it. But....I had to throw this mixture out after a while because it went bad or something. I told him I don't want to deal with that; I'll never use the lawn mower often enough before the fuel goes bad and I'm not dealing with it. (This is why I do not have any lawn of any kind that requires mowing.)

Now....The Flextreme is supposed to use an ultra-low-sulfur diesel. So how long will that ultra-low-sulfur diesel last in the tank if you don't fire up the engine for "months or even years"? And what about the servicing on that engine? How often will I be changing the oil on that engine that hardly ever runs? I mean, even if I don't use the engine enough to fill the tank, is it really OK to let the engine go for over a year without an oil change?

Cnn on the Flextreme

BTW if anyone complains about the bad rear view of the Prius, they should check out the rear of the Flextreme.

Automobilemag on the Flextreme

As long as we're talking about shelf-life. What say the Flextreme eventually is able to run on...biodiesel. But as is suggested above it's months or even years before the engine needs to run. What's the shelf life on biodiesel and what does *it* do sitting in the car for months or years without being used?

[Tideland Prius]

YEah this is the thing that's at the back of my mind with PHEVs... If you don't use the gasoline in the fuel tank, won't it go stale? (hence you need...stabilifuel or sth like that)

[tballx]

Originally Posted by Godiva

As long as we're talking about shelf-life. What say the Flextreme eventually is able to run on...biodiesel. But as is suggested above it's months or even years before the engine needs to run. What's the shelf life on biodiesel and what does *it* do sitting in the car for months or years without being used?

My other vehicle is a 1984 Mercedes 300SD run exclusively on biodiesel. Shelf life is about 6 months.

[Godiva]

Seems to me there's a tradeoff or point of not return or negative optimization or some such buzzword.

There comes a point where you need to get rid of the gas/diesel engine altogether or use it more. The Prius uses it more. The Rav4EV doesn't use it at all. But as they describe the Flextreme, that may cause some real problems down the line.

While I'd certainly like a plug in to extend my mileage, I don't want it to be SO plug in but LESS than EV that it causes me more problems than it solves.

BTW my in regards to the little story, my choice was to use a push mower, get an electric mower or get rid of the lawn. I chose to get rid of the lawn. Good thing as I'd never have been able to push the mower after I hurt my back and couldn't really justify the expense of an electric mower for that little patch of grass. So disposing of fuel gone bad solved.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

I hope these issues become very real. (Think about it.)

[tripp]

Originally Posted by FL_Prius_Driver

I hope these issues become very real. (Think about it.)

The petrol I use in my mower sits around for many, mnay months at a time. I don't add anything to it, yet it's never let me down. I live in a pretty dry climate, don't know if that has anything to do with it. As FL_prius_driver points out, it's a good problem to have.

[donee]

Hi All,

I am glad to see that GM is investigating offering the Opel Flextreme in the US as the Saturn Flextreme. As I just cannot stomach the Volt styling - it has no form that folows function. Whereas this car is all about form and function. Opel presented this car over the past several months, and there are designer interviews on You-Tube, in which they explain how the functional issues resulted in the form the car takes.

[Godiva]

My previous car was a Saturn and I had very little complaints. The trunk space sucked and I was replacing the engine clips way too often. Three times in 50,000 miles.

But the two things that worry me most are: That bar through the middle of the rear window resulting in two hatchbacks. And that Saturn is now very much a part of GM. So worries about quality are a real issue.

[DaveinOlyWA]

there are additives that will increase storage time in your tank. obviously if this technology flies, fuel stations will have a dual purpose to collect old unused diesel (at what i would estimate to be 20 cents on a dollar as storage, handling, inspection of quality, etc would be added expenses)

a monitor in the tank will tell you when you should replace the fuel and would start flashing yellow with 7 days left and go to red on last two days.

no matter what, the technology is very workable and its leaps and bounds better than we have now.

[Godiva]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

obviously if this technology flies, fuel stations will have a dual purpose to collect old unused diesel (at what i would estimate to be 20 cents on a dollar as storage, handling, inspection of quality, etc would be added expenses)

So, I'll be paying them $5.00 a gallon to fill my tank and $5.00 a gallon to empty it. Wow, no wonder GM is behind this idea.