FAQ

Why should I convert my car?

Save money on fuel expense, help the environment by producing lower emission levels, and help stop dependency on foreign oil. The added lubricity of the vegetable oi, should also make your fuel injection system last longer.

How do I get the vegetable oil? How do I process and store it?

You can go about it three3 different ways. One, you can buy the oil from Costco, or any similar store for around $3 a gallon. The second option is to collect the oil yourself from a restaurant or food service that fries food using actual vegetable oil. The third option, for those who live in larger metropolitan areas, is to purchase used filtered oil from people who specialize in recycling the oil and selling it.

What kind of oil can I use?

Any oil that is liquid at room temperature. Soy is the most popular, however you can also use canola, rice, or any other golden colored oil.

Does a gas car work on vegetable oil?

No. We have successfully converted gasoline cars to diesel engines, but this is costly and not normally practical.

How is longevity, MPG and HP affected?

Very little to nothing. Depending on how the vehicle is set up, you might experience a slight loss in power and even a slight loss in MPG. This is not always the case.

Can I still run diesel after I convert?

Yes. With the single tank conversions, you can even mix diesel with your vegetable oil. We recommend doing this when the temperature drops.

How much more maintenance after conversion?

The fuel filter should be changed every 3,000 miles.

Does it affect resale value?

Usually resale value is increased.

What is the best car for conversion?

The Mercedes Diesel built from 1977-1985 is the best candidate for conversion, however many vehicles do very well on veggie oil. The best truck is the 1996-1998.5 12V Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel.

Will it void my warrantee?

It may. You will want to check with the dealer first. We design our system so that they can be removed easily if need be.

Single vs. dual tank conversion?

A single tank system only works on a 1977-1985 Mercedes Diesel that is used in a moderate climate. A single tank converted Mercedes can be used in colder temperatures if diesel is mixed with vegetable oil.

Will it change the exhaust smell/ emission?

Emissions levels are lowered substantially. The smell changes from a nasty petrol smell to the smell of food frying.

What about smog test in California?

Diesel vehicles are smog exempt in California.

Who can maintain my car after the conversion?

Any mechanic should still be able to maintain your vehicle after conversion. We perform regular maintenance and repairs on older Mercedes diesels.

What causes loss of power?

Clogged fuel filter or a restriction in the fuel tank.

Why doesn’t every one do this?

In general, people in this country have not been educated about the advantages of diesel engines over gasoline engines. Many believe that in order to get the oil, one has to collect it personally, although that is not accurate.

Are older MB diesels expensive to maintain?

Not as much as many believe. We repair older Mercedes diesels at a shop rate of $60 per hour.

Can I run biodiesel?

Small amounts of biodiesel are okay to run without any fuel hose modification. If you plan on running B99, especially if you are planning on running a lot of it, you should have the fuel hoses upgraded to higher grade rubber hoses that can withstand the methanol content of the fuel.