Earth Saving Tips - Driving Greener
We all know that cars have a serious impact on the environment -- but because we depend on them in our daily lives, it's unrealistic to suggest that people stop driving altogether. Don't despair, even if you drive every day, there are some simple things that you can do to help the earth: Make sure your car is running as efficiently as possible. Getting good gas mileage is less destructive to our planet.
DID YOU KNOW
- Autos, light trucks, and SUV's emit 20% of this country's carbon dioxide (CO2) - the primary greenhouse gas.
- The amount of CO2 a car emits is directly related to the amount of gas it uses. Lower fuel efficiency = more CO2 per mile driven.
- Cars also emit 34% of the country's nitrogen oxide - this gas is responsible for acid rain.
SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO
- Keep your tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires are the #1 cause of reduced gas mileage.
- Keep your car tuned up. It's an easy way to make your car more fuel efficient. A well-tuned car uses up to 9% less gasoline than a poorly tuned car.
- Don't let you car idle unecessarily. Your car uses less gas to start up again than it does idling. If you're stopped for more than 30 seconds, consider turning off the engine.
- Keep fuel filters clean.
- Use your air conditioner less. A car air conditioner reduces fuel efficiency by 15% or more.
IF YOU'RE BUYING A NEW CAR
- Check the specs. Get the latest EPA Gas Mileage Guide to check the fuel economy figures and compare specifications.
- Keep fuel efficiency in mind. Popular car-makers are already producing ultra-efficient (55 mpg or more) hybrid-electric cars. In 2004, Ford is rolling out the first hybrid SUV, Ford Escape. You can have your cake and eat it too.
Little things can help. If only 100,000 car owners who had neglected tune-ups started getting their cars tuned up regularly, over 90 millions pounds of CO2 could be kept out of the atmosphere. 1 million car owners could eliminate 1 billion lbs. CO2. However, the best solution to eliminating car pollution will always be to walk, bicycle, or use mass transit, it's easier than you think!
Check back every Friday for more Earth Saving Tips! Have ideas? Send your green tips to eswinformation@esw.org or post them in the comments (below) for everyone to read.
