Transportation consumes about 25% of the total energy used in the United States releasing harmful chemicals into the air. When, where, how, why and what you drive all play an important role in affecting air pollution. Here are some suggestions on how to be more environmentally friendly when you need to get somewhere. And there are additional benefits - your car will last longer, improve your mileage and save money.
Maintain Your Car Properly
Get regular engine tuneups The owner's manual recommends maintenance schedules that will reduce your car's emissions and enhance its performance. Properly maintained, your can avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or the transmission not going into high gear.
Be sure to have your car serviced by a skilled technician who understands modern emission control systems which in today’s cars are complicated. When high emissions occur in newer systems ,the type of simple adjustments done in past tune-ups, will no longer correct the problem.
Finally, be aware that pollution will increase dramatically if you tamper with your car's emission control system or use leaded gasoline in a vehicle designed for unleaded gasoline. Fortunately, such fuel-switching practices are becoming increasingly rare since it’s now illegal to manufacture or sell new vehicles requiring leaded gasoline.
Check & Replace Air Filters Regularly
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine.
Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
Even the motor oil you choose can make a difference. Your gas mileage can improve by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Look for the new energy-conserving (E.C.) grade of motor oils that contain friction-reducing additives.
Fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation
Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
Many drivers ask about use of "premium" or "super" grade gasolines
These fuels contain additives to increase octane. Octane is a measure of how much a fuel can be compressed in an engine before it spontaneously combusts. It is not a measure of fuel power or quality. Only a small percentage of vehicles require high-octane gasoline for optimum performance (these are generally turbo-charged or high-performance vehicles). Check your owner's manual to see what type of fuel is recommended for your car. Unless your car needs high-octane gasoline, use of "premium" will not improve performance or emissions - it will just cost you more.
Keep tires properly inflated and aligned
Periodic wheel alignments and keeping tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve your gas mileage. You will be safer and tires last longer.
Drive Sensibly. Go easy on the brakes and gas pedal
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
Avoid long idles
Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait. Instead of idling at a drive-up window, park the car and go in. Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine. Limit car warm ups in winter.
Avoid carrying unneeded items in the trunk/roof rack
Extra weight decreases gas mileage. When it is necessary , put heavy items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. Beaware 100 lbs in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by 1-2 percent. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space but a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent.
Use air conditioning only when necessary
Keep your windows open to enjoy the breeze as often as possible. Also park in a shady spot when possible. This will not only by keep the interior temperature more comfortable but it will lessen the pollution and waste that occurs when gasoline evaporates from the engine and gas tank.
Use overdrive
If your car is equipped with overdrive gearing (on 5-speed manual transmissions and 4-speed automatic transmissions), be sure to make use of the overdrive gear as soon as your speed is high enough. If you have a manual transmission, the lower the shift speed, the better the fuel economy. When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
Observe the Speed Limit
You can improve your gas mileage about 15 percent by driving at 55 mph. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas.
Avoid Unnecessary Driving
The most effective way to reduce emissions from your vehicle is to use it less. Vehicle travel in this country is doubling every 20 years. Traffic trends that see more and more cars driving more and more miles will soon begin to outpace technological progress in vehicle emission control.
Think about consolidating trips, telecommuting, carpooling, using public transit, and choosing clean transportation alternatives. And if you bike or walk to your destination you'll create no pollution at all and increase your fitness level! Remember our credo - Leave a Lighter Footprint!!
Ridesharing can be an ideal way to reduce your personal contribution to pollution and help the environment. Even an occasional carpool or ride on public transportation will make a difference.
Don't ignore the "check engine" or "service engine soon" light if it comes on
Make an appointment with your repair technician for diagnosis soon. For more information, read the EPA's fact sheet.
Finally, find out if materials are recycled when you change your tires, "throw away" your car or change car fluids
Ask before your car is serviced and consider going to someone who is environmentally friendly.
Check out Tailpipe Tally
To replace air filters and oil correctly and environmentally, check out this document.
Go to the Department of Energy's Fuel Economy Site.
Green Vehicles Guide compares the most efficient, lowest-polluting vehicle models.
The Office of Mobile Sources, the national center for research and policy on air pollution from highway and off-highway motor vehicles and equipment.
