Who doesn’t enjoy the idea of cruising around paradise with the one you love on a beautiful afternoon? Taking a nice, leisurely drive with your sweetheart doesn’t have to harm the planet. Learning to stretch each gallon of gasoline makes sense on many levels. In fact, embracing just a few of these tips can really save you money on fuel as well as reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
You can begin by making sure your car has regular tune-ups. A car that is well-tuned uses approximately 9 percent less gasoline than a poorly tuned car. Check and replace your engine’s air filter and fuel filter, according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.
Check your tire pressure. You can lose about 2 percent in fuel economy for every pound of pressure under the recommended level. (The manufacturer’s recommendations for tire inflation are found on a label on the inside of the driver’s door jamb of most vehicles, or check your tires’ imprint.)
Work on smooth takeoffs and stops. “Jack-rabbit starts” or rapid acceleration can lower your gas mileage by 5 percent around town and 33 percent on the highway. Driving slower, especially on the highway, can make a huge difference. A speed reduction of just 10 miles per hour can reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent and using your cruise control cuts down on gas usage as well.
Idling is another habit you can adjust to cut down on harmful emissions output. It has been demonstrated that stopping and restarting a car uses the same amount of gas as leaving a car idling for 6 seconds with the air conditioner running. Avoiding drive-throughs at fast-food restaurants, banks, and so forth will not only help the environment, but will help you include a little more exercise in your daily routines.
Reducing air drag and lightening the load will cut down on the amount of gasoline you use. If your vehicle has a roof rack and you don’t use it, consider taking it off. Check your trunk or rear cargo area – if you’re hauling around heavy items you don’t need, remove them. The lighter you travel, the greener you can go.
We can all do more to help our planet’s health by reducing pollution. Interestingly, green ideas are becoming part of everyday lingo as demonstrated by the New Oxford American Dictionary’s 2008 word of the year: hypermiling. By adopting some of the gas-saving tips we’ve shared, you can become a “hypermiler,” that is, one who squeezes every ounce of efficiency from their automobiles.
For more ideas and information on reducing emissions by efficient driving, visit www.wikihow.com/Increase-Fuel-Mileage-on-a-Car.
MORE WAYS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT AND SAVE GAS
One of the most obvious ways to avoid harmful pollution from our automobiles is to start a walking program instead of driving to particular destinations. You might want to consider walking if the distance isn’t prohibitive, and you are in good physical condition. It is always important to consult your doctor before starting a walking program. This option is not only good exercise, but affords you the opportunity to enjoy nature and many of the attractions paradise offers that you miss while driving.
Alternatively, you might think about purchasing a bicycle for moderate distances. Not only will it pay for itself in gasoline savings, but again, it’s a great way to build more exercise into your daily routine as you bike to and from work, or run errands. Locally, bicycles can be loaded on buses to extend your riding range.
Another option might be to buy a moped or scooter, which are relatively inexpensive. Many of them get 75 to 85 miles per gallon, which not only helps the emissions predicament for our planet, but also saves you a considerable amount of money at the pump!
Finally, consider public transportation or join a car pool for longer trips. These options may take a little more time to get to your final destination, but you can redeem the time by reading, listening to music on your iPod, working on your laptop, or just relaxing. With so many possible options, we can all find ways to do our part to help our planet stay healthy for future generations.
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