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| You can save fuel and reduce your environmental impact just by adjusting your driving behaviors and keeping up on maintenance. |
For most people, driving is a necessity, even though we all know that our cars cough tons of pollutants into the environment. But you can still reduce your environmental impact just by paying a little more attention to your car and how you drive.
Fuel efficiency and environmental
impact go hand in hand, which is awesome because as you drive more
efficiently, you'll also be spending less on gasoline. By increasing
the efficiency of your car and using less fuel, you'll reduce the
amount of CO2 and other pollutants your car emits and save money at
the same time.
There are two main ways to reduce your
emissions: First, you can service and maintain your car to increase
its efficiency and filter toxic fumes. This can range from getting
regular oil changes and maintenance checks, to inflating your tires to the correct pressure. Second,
you can make adjustments to your driving habits in order to save more
fuel. This includes leaving unnecessary weight out of your car and
sticking to the most fuel-efficient speeds when you drive.
How to Drive to Use Less Gasoline
Speed Matters!
Your car is most
efficient at 55mph and under, and it gets less and less efficient
the faster it goes. For instance, driving at 65 mph uses 13% less
fuel than driving 75 mph. Who knew that sticking to the speed limit
and resisting the urge to speed and go five over on the highway
could actually save you money? And it's better for the environment,
too!
Use AC Sparingly
Using the AC can
make your car guzzle up to 21% more fuel. That's a lot! Because of
this it's a good idea not to blast the AC all the time, and to
remember to turn it off when your car reaches a comfortable
temperature. Try
using the flow-through ventilation for some cool, fresh air (the
setting that pulls air from outside without running the heat or AC)
without using extra fuel.
Roll Up the Windows
While rolling
down the windows might be better than using the AC, it also
increases the wind drag on your car and makes it less aerodynamic.
This makes your car a little less efficient and have to use more
fuel. If it's cool enough, using the flow-through ventilation is a good way to get some cool air circulating without using the AC
or having to open the windows.
Keep it Light
Do you regularly
keep a trunk or a backseat full of junk you eventually intend to
bring inside? The extra weight of the items you store in your car
could be costing you money every time you drive! Every extra pound
of weight that your car has to carry means it has to use more fuel.
Remember to unload things from your car and clean it out regularly,
and you'll not only have a nicer space to sit in, but you'll spend
less on fuel and emit less toxic fumes.
Idle Less
When you're car is
idling, you're getting zero miles per gallon; your car is just
eating up gas and not even transporting you anywhere! Sometimes it's
necessary to let the car warm up in the winter, but try to time it
so you can keep it short.
Calm and Steady Wins the Race
Quick accelerations and hard brakes are not only hard on your car, but they also waste fuel. Studies have shown that cars emit five times the amount of polluting fumes when the driver uses “jackrabbit” starts and hard braking, rather than accelerating and braking slowly and steadily. Using cruise-control on long, straight stretches of highway can also help you keep a steady speed and use less fuel (this won't work well uphill or on hilly roads, though).
Maintenance and Upkeep to Keep your Car Fuel-Efficient
Regular or Premium?
The difference
can make a big deal for your fuel efficiency, so make sure you
choose the right kind! And remember, premium doesn't always mean
better. Check your owner's manual and only use the fuel grade that
your car was made for.
Normal maintenance and upkeep
Your car owner's manual will tell you often to replace certain parts
and get tune-ups. If you keep up with this maintenance, your car
will drive better, live longer, and be more fuel-efficient overall.
Many people don't realize that small, easily-fixed things, like
dirty air filters, dirty oil, and worn-down or deflated tires, can
make your car significantly less efficient and use a lot more gas.
Make sure you get regular oil changes, replace your air filters, and
keep your tires inflated to the right psi and replace them when they
lose traction.
Use a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
Most people don't have the opportunity to go out and get a new hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicle just to be more sustainable, but if and when you do need to shop for a new car, put fuel-efficient vehicles at the top of your list. Even if you can't get a new or hybrid car, just choosing a car with a good miles-per-gallon rate can make a big difference. If you own multiple cars, try to drive the most fuel-efficient one most often, and save your larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles for times when they are necessary.
