For the eco-friendly motorist, lowering emissions is a definite concern. While many of these people decide to buy a hybrid or an electric vehicle, others don’t have the budget or means to go that route. However, there are several things you can still do to keep your vehicle’s emissions at or below an acceptable level. By following a few simple tips, you can feel good knowing that you’re saving the environment.
1. Drive Steady
If you weren’t aware, driving like a maniac isn’t just unsafe, but also detrimental in terms of excessive exhaust. Accelerating rapidly or driving at high speeds actually burns through gas more quickly, spewing extra emissions into the air. To combat this problem, try slower acceleration, obey speed limits, and drive smoother in general. If you find yourself driving erratically when you’re stressed or angry, pull over until you’ve got your emotions under control. Not only is it safer, but your wallet and the air will thank you.
2. Do Proper Maintenance
Whether its ignorance, forgetfulness, or something else, many drivers often overlook getting routine maintenance done on a regular basis. However, it’s probably one of the most important tasks you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. If oil is left in the engine too long, it builds up sludge, which causes the engine to ignite improperly, as well as burn oil. Once your vehicle starts to burn oil, your car’s emissions go up astronomically. In addition, air filters and fuel filters need a change about every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to keep your car running smoothly and preventing unnecessary and excessive exhaust.
3. Get an Emissions Test
Numerous states and cities require older vehicles to undergo an emissions test once every year or two. However, newer vehicles, thanks to EPA guidelines, aren’t held to the same standard. Nevertheless, if you suspect your car is giving off tons of smoke, it’s in your best interest to take it in for an emissions test. Some mechanics or auto shops provide services to test your car as well. It’s something that’s inexpensive, yet makes a world of difference in the keeping your pollution to a minimum.
4. Keep Your Tires Inflated
Keeping your tires inflated isn’t only important in lowering emissions, but also maintaining an acceptable safety standard. Under-inflated tires don’t grip the road nearly as well, causing the car to slip when turning or swerving to avoid an accident. From a pollution standpoint, under-inflated tires need more energy to move, causing the engine to work harder, and resulting in more emissions. Estimates show that the average driver needlessly burns an extra 144 gallons of gas a year as a result of improperly inflated tires. If you aren’t sure how to fill your tires or what pounds per square inch (PSI) to fill them to, consult your vehicle owner’s manual.
With global warming and greenhouse gases severely impacting ocean levels and temperatures around the globe, it becomes increasingly important for you to become more environmentally responsible. By following these rules, you’ll take your first steps towards reducing your carbon footprint, and providing a better tomorrow for everyone to enjoy.
Image via Flickr by Adam Swank | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0
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