As we transition from Winter into Spring, and green slowly becomes the dominant color outdoors, here are several tips that will save you a little “green” and also help the environment.
Drive Green – Recognize that how you drive has a lot to do with fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Jerky and aggressive driving decreases your miles per gallon (MPG) and increases wear and tear on your vehicle. Minimize unnecessary miles by combining errands in one trip.
Check Tire Pressure – Each year, about two billion gallons of gas could be saved if the tires on every American’s car were properly inflated. Optimal tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in the owner’s manual. Tires that are not properly inflated add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. All of this increases fuel costs as much as three to five cents per gallon.
Get a Tune-Up – Regular tune-ups, maintenance and having clean air filters will help your car pollute less and burn less gas. With a proper tune-up, you can save four or five percent on the cost of gas and up to 40 percent by replacing a faulty oxygen sensor. Simply changing a car’s dirty air filter can improve fuel efficiency by 10 percent.
Lighten the Load – Get the junk out of the trunk and the stuff out of your car, with the exception of emergency items, spare tire, flares, and a first-aid kit. Extra items weigh the vehicle down and cause an increase in gas usage.
Gas Caps and Fill-Ups – Check your vehicle’s gas cap. Loose, damaged or missing gas caps cause millions of gallons of gas to evaporate into the air each year. Topping off your gas tank when filling up your vehicle can also release harmful vapors into the environment.
Driving technique and proper vehicle care can go a long way toward protecting the environment and conserving fuel. The five tips above are simple steps that will help minimize the amount of pollutants from your vehicle and keep more “green” in your wallet through better fuel economy.