If you're new here, you can subscribe to AMG Mercedes-Benz Enthusiasts and receive summary updates when new content is published by the editors (no updates, no email, no SPAM). Our blog subscribers also receive some premium content privileges. Thanks for visiting!

Running your diesel car on waste vegetable oil can reduce your fuel cost to zero. Not kidding, several people have been doing this for years.

Want to learn more? We found this article that explains the details:

Difference Between Biodiesel Conversion and Biodiesel Engine

BEIJING, Aug. 25 — A groundbreaking experiment is expected to help China cut down on energy consumption and reduce its reliance on oil.

The nation now has plans to industrialize its homegrown coal-to-petrochemicals technology after the success of a project using the world’s first 10,000-ton DMTO (dimethyl ether/methanol-to-olefin) industrialization equipment.

DMTO is a technology that uses coal or natural gas as a substitute for crude oil to produce olefin produces, such as ethylene and propylene.

Sources said there is already a lot of interest in the technology from firms both in China and abroad.

Full Story: New Tech May Reduce Oil Use in China

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz “Flex-Fuel” C230 Sport sedan can run on a mixture of ethanol and gasoline, or just conventional gasoline. Fuels with up to 85 percent ethanol and only 15 percent gasoline will power this vehicle.

An in-line fuel sensor determines the type of fuel in the system and the vehicles electronic engine management system adjusts automatically to the mixture. In this way, the C230 Sport Sedan can take advantage of renewable bio-fuels such as ethanol. However, since ethanol is not yet available in some areas, the flex-fuel sensor allows the C230 to run on straight conventional gasoline as well.

New features for the 2007 C230 Sport models include a discreet AMG rear deck lid spoiler, dual AMG sport exhaust pipes, and an interior with black Birdseye maple instead of the aluminum trim found in previous models.

More on ethanol

Description (provided by the video producer that sells the DVD; see below):

Veg-oil conversions allow your diesel vehicle to run directly on recycled cooking oils. A video, by Veg My Ride, teaches you how to convert your diesel car to run on used veg-oil.

No need for expensive biodiesel, fill up at most any restaurant for about .15/gallon!

Waste fryer oils, collected from your local restaurant are the least expensive alternative fuel solution, and by far the most readily available.

“Veg My Ride” shows you how to install a dual tank conversion. This means you still have your factory fuel system and tank, and the ability to run on standard petro-diesel at any time. This system is IN ADDITION to your factory fuel system, providing the most reliable fuel system.

Veg My Ride is available at http://vegmyride.tv

FYI: The video is a commercial for the instructional DVD you can purchase for $20 from the producer.

The interest in biodiesel appears to be directly proportional to the rise in fuel costs. Here’s a great blog that covers biodiesel for those interested:

How to Brew Your Own Biodiesel

Do you brew your own biodiesel? If so, please tell me about it. I know a few people that use restaurant waste oil. Have you tried it?