On Thu, 22 Dec 2005 14:24:12 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Chris Bacon wrote:
Yes they do - as anyone who walks close to town traffic will know. You
can instantly tell an older non cat equipped car by the smell. And
it's not pleasant.

This is rubbish. Most cars are used for short journeys, during
which their catalytic converters do not work properly.

It would have to be a *very* short journey indeed. Most these days light
up very quickly.

I've had my big cat idling in te drive..it takes about 5 minutes or two
miles before the smell of unburnt fuel goes away.

Its only a mile down to the shop...

There's also another potential health problem in that masses of finely-
divided platinum is now being deposited all over the place.

You'd prefer lead? And in *vastly* greater quantities?

Lead free fuel is usable without a cat.

Its the reverse that is not true.

Incidentally, to ensure reliable starting most EFI systems flood the cold
engine with fuel before starting. This has a HUGE impact on economy for
short distance journeys, and, if it fails to start first time, can lead to
a flooded engine. I know. I've done it.

Its in this area that hybrids shoudl show the most gains.