As globalization makes the world smaller, let’s discuss the importance as to why going eco-friendly is vital in today’s world.
The good news is that people are aware of the pressing environmental issues such as greenhouse emission, depletion of natural resources, contamination of water bodies, exponential increase in CO2 levels, etc. But being aware is not enough. Our planet is suffering, and we can only have a better shot at living a quality life if we choose to make our lifestyle eco-friendly.
Transport contributes approximately 13% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, and the amount of CO2 emitted by vehicles is directly related to the amount of fuel burned. Of course, heavy vehicles use a lot more fuel, hence speed up global warming.
Newer cars are fuel efficient, but it’s not always possible to change your vehicle. If you cannot change your car but want to play your part towards a greener environment, you can still do it just by making some changes to the way you maintain and drive your gas-powered vehicle.
Here are seven ways your old vehicle can become more eco-friendly.
1. Tune-up regularly
Paying a great deal of attention to your car is what it takes to get a smooth, comfortable and fuel-efficient drive. If you think only driving it slowly would do the trick, you better start saving for the expenses you might have to bear when the mpg goes down, or there is a mechanical fault.
To keep your car components in perfect condition, you need to get your favorite vehicle checked and serviced regularly. This helps you not only keep the car running smoothly but also improve the gas mileage and reduce emissions. Moreover, regular visits to the workshop can help you repair or change any faulty component before it turns into a serious problem.
2. Get a Professional Carwash
Well washing your car in the driveway or garage surely shows how much you love your vehicle. But it indeed is not a kind gesture towards the environment. Not only you end up wasting a lot of water but also harm the ecosystem. This is because the water loaded with detergents, chemicals, grease and other pollutants ends up in wetlands and rivers.
Commercial car washes, on the other hand, are required by the law to get their water drained into sewer systems so that it gets treated before it gets back into water pipelines. Also, they use high-pressure nozzles to wash your car which helps save water.
3. Lighten the car and combine trips
Whenever you go for a drive, check the trunk and the backseats to see if there is anything that could be left behind. When there is no unnecessary stuff in your car, there would be no extra weight, which means less resistance and the engine would have to burn less fuel.
If you really want to save your time and fuel and want to reduce the amount of CO2 released from your car’s exhaust system, take a minute to wisely plan all your errands before getting inside the car and do it all in one trip. Not to forget, you can always walk to a nearby location or use a cycle to save time and fuel expenses.
4. Limit the use of AC
The air conditioning system in cars consumes a lot of fuel when running which contributes to pollution.
If you are driving at 40 mph, open the windows to let the fresh air come in. Find parking spots with shade if you want a breather. When moving at high speeds roll up the windows and keep switching between AC and fan.
5. Pay attention to the tires
Another thing to improve your car’s fuel efficiency is to check if the tires are properly inflated or not. If any tire is underinflated, not only it will shorten the tire’s life but also reduce fuel-efficiency (poorly inflated tires force the engine to consume more fuel). When all the tires are inflated adequately and equally, there would be less burden on the engine, hence fewer carbon emissions. Moreover, if you plan to change the tires, go for ‘eco-friendly tires’ made from environmentally friendly materials.
6. Drive carefully
You must always drive smartly. If you have a habit of rapid flooring, aggressive driving, and hard braking, you better start changing that practice as it damages both the car and eco-system. Do not over rev your engine as it only burns more fuel and reduces the fuel efficiency. When on highways, resort to cruise control or maintain steady speed manually.
7. Eco-idling
If you are at a signal, stuck in a traffic jam or just waiting for someone in your car and know it is going to be more than a minute before you get moving, switch off the engine. If you keep the engine running, you’d only be burning fuel for no good reason.
You might have heard the buzz about electric cars. The highly advanced technology in these vehicles offers a win-win situation as the owner gets to save a lot on fuel while adding no or very less carbon emissions to the environment, unlike regular cars that solely run on petrol or diesel. What’s interesting is that industry giants including Tesla and Volvo have introduced electric cars and even concept trucks to make the world a greener place. But will this prove to be a worthwhile investment, only time will tell!
Until we find a sustainable, eco-friendly vehicle, you can use the tips mentioned here to do your part in saving the environment. Good Luck.
