NATCHEZ — In a time when the United States economy is uncertain at best, most households are taking steps to save money any way they can.

With gas prices over $3.60 in many places, reducing fuel usage is one way families are trying to reduce expenses.

Purchasing smaller, more economical cars is fast becoming a trend and new technologies, like hybrid engines and flex-fuel are picking up steam as well.

In the Miss-Lou, hybrid cars are not extremely popular and gas stations supplying flex-fuel are nowhere in sight but smaller, more fuel-efficient cars are a logical choice.

Chris Carney of Great River Chevrolet in Natchez said that many customers have come to the lot asking for cars that get better gas mileage. He has also seen an influx of families looking for a second car.

“People come to the lot to find a car that they can drive back and forth to work that gets good gas mileage,” Carney said. “They are looking for a second car so they can leave their trucks and SUVs parked at home.”

Carney said the customers he has dealt with are typically looking for a car that gets over 30 miles to the gallon. Carney said that smaller cars like the Chevrolet Colbalt and the Nissan Versa are good choices for people seeking a gas-friendly automobile. He also added that he has larger, more powerful cars that also average over 30 mpg on the highway.

Brad Yarbrough, owner of Natchez Ford-Linoln-Mercury, said he has also had customers looking for cars with better gas mileage, but that many times people aren’t willing to give up the “comfort they are used to.”

“The Ford Focus gets up to 38 mpg,” Yarbrough said. “But the truth of the matter is that, when they see the room and comfort items that they will have to give up, most customers aren’t willing to do that.”

Yarbrough said that size and engine power are the two main sacrifices, car owners have to make to drive a fuel-economy car.

“Power is a big thing that people aren’t willing to sacrifice,” Yarbrough said. “And people have gotten used to riding up high and say they can’t drive a car that is that low to the ground.”

Yarbrough said that, not only are many of his customers not ready to change car types, the manufacturers are also taking steps to keep people driving large SUVs and trucks by offering rebate incentives.

He said that the money a family would save in reduced gas prices is being matched by manufacturers rebates.

“The $4,000 to $6,000 savings you could get with a smaller, more gas-friendly car is being offered as a rebate on a big SUV like the Excursion,” Yarbrough said.

He said that the manufacturers have produced these cars and are now trying to move them off lots.

“They are basically trying to level the playing field,” he said.

Both Carney and Yarbrough said that the demand isn’t high for hybrid vehicles yet, but both dealerships have sold hybrid cars.

On Wednesday, Great River Chevrolet had one hybrid vehicle, a Chevy Yukon Hybrid, on the lot. Yarbrough said he does not stock the hybrid, but he does order them for customers.

Hybrid Technology

A hybrid engine in a car refers to an engine that has the capability to switch back and forth between gas power and battery power depending on the speed of the vehicle.

Because the engine uses battery power during stop-and-go and city driving, the gas mileage for a hybrid car is dramatically higher than a traditional, gas-only engine. According to EPA estimates, the only 2008 model cars that get over 40 miles per gallon are the Toyota Prius, which is only sold as a hybrid and the Honda Civic Hybrid. The rest of the top five fuel economy cars were all hybrids as well.

Yarbrough said that he feels one reason hybrid cars haven’t caught on in the Miss-Lou is because of holes in the technology. For example, Yarbrough said that many hybrid cars aren’t able to power the car’s air conditioning system when the car is using only battery power.

“When you are using all battery power to power the car, sometimes the air conditioner will shut off,” Yarbrough said. “What happens is that the batter can’t provide enough energy to power the car and the AC.

“But (the manufacturers) are working on that and they will get it worked out.”

The Yukon Hybrid is Chevrolet’s answer to many consumers’ questions about engine power in a hybrid vehicle. According to Carney, the hybrid has the same towing ability and power that the gas powered Yukon has.

“In the city, it will run totally electric, but if you need to tow a trailer or boat it has the ability to switch from electric to V8 power seamlessly,” Carney said. “There is no drag at all.”

The price of a hybrid car can also be a stumbling block for people looking to purchase one. Currently the cost of a hybrid version of an automobile can be several thousand dollars more than a non-hybrid version. But Yarbrough believes that the cost will even out over time.

“Right now (manufacturers) are trying to cover their research and development cost,” Yarbrough said. “As the technology advances, I think the price will go down.””

Some manufacturers are looking to the government for help in developing and improving hybrid technology. Chrysler, General Motors and Ford are attempting to secure a low-interest government loan to advance their hybrid research programs.

Yarbrough said that, if secured, the loan could lead to large advancements in hybrid technology for those companies.

“If they can get that loan, we could see some real progress in the next 5 years,” he said.

E85 Fuel

High gas prices have lead to a push for less dependency on petroleum to fuel vehicles. Ethanol based biofuel is a mostly renewable fuel option that is produced from biomaterial like crops and waste.

“They are using several different items to produce the (ethanol based fuel) like metal, trash and food waste,” Carney said.

E85, as it is commonly called, is 85 percent ethanol and 15% gasoline. Many newer model vehicles are equipped with engines that can run on E85 fuel or gasoline. They are typically called flex fuel vehicles.

Yarbrough said that flex fuel vehicles have been around for the past 10.

E85 fuel is currently available at about 1,600 pumps nationwide. According to e85fuel.com, the E85 pump located closest to Tallulah, La — about 60 miles away.

One disadvantage to E85, other than limited availability, is that it contains less energy per gallon, which leads to reduced fuel economy.

However, E85 fuel typically cost less per gallon. It is also cleaner burning fuel which helps reduce greenhouse gases.

E10 fuel, 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline, is currently approved for use in vehicles of all makes and models, and is widely available.

Maintenance

For current owners, not looking to purchase a new vehicle, there are a few ways to increase fuel economy.

Yarbrough said that proper maintenance is one of the best ways to increase fuel mileage. He said following your cars recommended maintenance schedule, found in the owners manual, is one of the best ways to increase fuel mileage.

“All cars are a little different and their maintenance schedules are a little different,” Yarbrough said. “But if you follow that schedule you will see better fuel economy.”

Another key to increasing fuel economy is having proper air pressure in the tires. Yarbrough recommends checking the air pressure at least once a month to ensure proper pressure.

“You should carry a tire gauge with you and check it regularly,” he said. “Different factors, like temperature, can cause fluctuations in pressure.”