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Business Consultant Environmental benefits Propane burns more cleanly than gasoline or diesel fuel. Its use produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The use of propane as an alternative fuel in factory-built vehicles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in light-duty vehicles on a life-cycle (well-to-wheel) basis (compared with gasoline). Emissions reductions resulting from converted vehicles vary and are normally not as high as for vehicles built specifically to run on propane. Propane also contains fewer toxic pollutants. For example, because propane has extremely low sulphur content, it does not contribute to acid rain. Furthermore, propane is a pressurized fuel that must be contained within a sealed system, right up to the time it enters your vehicle, so it is less likely to escape into the air, soil or water through careless handling, spills or evaporation. (From Environment Canada) There you go. We're pretty environmentally conscious up here in Caanaadaa.

It's going to cost $4500 including federal tax. We get a provincial tax exemption for converting here. I'm self-employed so I'll write off a good portion of it. I plan to keep the car as long as it runs (currently has 160k) or until Subaru gets their act together and comes up with fuel efficient cars. I have a property in the mountains and ski all winter so need an AWD. Trade in value is only about $8000 maybe get $11000-12000 if I sell privately. Other cars eg. Jetta Wagon TDI with similar or lower milieage cost anyware from 17000-23000 (used) so this is my preferred way to spend money (or get a face lift). Cars up here in "Canada" are very expensive compared to the US (as is gasoline). Also a huge motivation is trying to be "environment friendly. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!

Thanks so much for responding. The guy I took it to said that there are two option, both inside the car. They now make donut shaped tanks that fit where your spare tire goes. The other is to put a 14" cylinder behind the back seat (losing access to fold down cargo). I don't know where your from, but here in Vancouver (Canada) propane conversions/duel systems are very common. Especially now with gas over a dollar a litre. I would have to do a duel because of the fuel injection system (I'm a girl and that sounds pretty impressive talk to me!!) and there would be a switch that would allow the engine (or manually) to switch fuels. He said with whatever gizmo they have now that it actually doesn't affect performance anymore. All the stuff I've read so far says that propane is actually safer than gasoline. I'm calling another place (large propane company)that does a lot of car conversions on Monday and see what they say too. They use a German system (went on the German site and they showed an implemention on an Outback using the "donut" tank in the tire space). I'll talk to my Subaru dealer too. Otherwise I'm going to have to get a Jetta TDI! (oh no, I've had Subaru's since 1986). Thanks again.

I guess I'll ask my Subaru maintence people about that. Thanks!! (Wish I knew how cars worked! I just drive...)

I love my 1997 Outback but the gas prices for my commute to a property 400 km away is killing me. I have found a propane conversation place that says I can do it (duel fuel system), but another place I called says I shouldn't. Has anyone out there had any problems with it?