by Frank Ling

Created on: June 19, 2008   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

"How many miles per gallon do you get?" This question is probably the most asked of people who own hybrid cars. And with the recent cost of fuel continuing to go through the roof, the interest in hybrids is skyrocketing. Most people who are considering purchasing a hybrid vehicle are now interested in how hybrid cars work and ask the question, "What will I need to do in order to adapt in driving a hybrid vehicle?"

The answer to this question is "not much." A hybrid car actually has two engines under its hood-an electric motor and a small standard gasoline engine. The two work in tandem to propel the car forward. The mystery of how all this works is simplicity itself. Have you ever been in your car waiting for a stoplight to change to green? Of course, every driver has experienced this. While you are waiting, one thing happens to all standard gasoline engines-it idles and continues to use fuel while you are waiting.

This is essentially money down the drain as gas is being burned; you aren't making any forward progress. In a hybrid, computers tell the gasoline engine to shut off and switch over to the electric motor. This is all done automatically, depending on the circumstances and power needs of the car, so essentially, you drive a hybrid like a normal car and leave all the decisions of which engine to use to the car's computer.

The reason why you get better mileage in a hybrid car, in comparison to a regular gasoline car, is because a hybrid only uses its gasoline engine when needed. If you are driving around the city and don't need the extra power of the gas engine, the on board computer turns it off and switches entirely to the electric motor. If you need acceleration to go on a freeway or navigate your way through some hilly areas, the gasoline engine is turned on and both engines help to produce the necessary power for your car.

There isn't anything special that you need to do to maintain your hybrid car. You do the required oil changes like a standard car, you rotate your tires, and schedule routine car check ups just like a regular car. The manufacturers have developed hybrid technology so that it is transparent to the user-you wouldn't know you were driving a hybrid car except for one tell tail sign; you won't hear the car's engine when it is in electric mode. This is quite novel especially when you are at a stoplight or driving in the parking lot of a store. Oftentimes, because the car is in "stealth" mode, people walking in the lot won't even notice that

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