Great Green Idea: Green Cars: How to Cut Down on Gas Consumption

How to Cut Down on Gas Consumption

Gasoline powered vehicles are a necessary evil. Until the hydrogen battery or other technology is available commercially, we will rely on oil as our main source of fuel. The amount of green house gas emitted by our cars and trucks is astounding. But, there are things we can do to lessen the detrimental effects of our transportation needs on our environment.

1. Keep Your Car or Truck in Good Repair: An engine that is properly tuned is more efficient than one that has been used without being maintained. You should change the oil in your vehicle as the manufacturer directs. Your tires should be properly inflated. Make sure your brakes, muffler and other components of your car's exhaust system are up to snuff. In addition to contributing to the health of the planet, a well maintained vehicle won't have to be replaced as often. The longer it runs, the longer it won't be contributed to your local junk yard.

2. Don't be a Lead Foot: You may get there slower if you don't speed, but you will have a better chance of getting to your destination in your car, rather than an ambulance. In addition to safety concerns, obeying the speed limit will keep your car's engine from making a pig of itself. After all, its maximum efficiency is usually achieved at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. Anything above that, and it has to guzzle gasoline to keep going. If you drive slower, you can save up to 33% of the fuel you use on the highway.

3. Don't Idle a Lot: If you do, your car is gulping down gas while it isn't getting you anywhere. It is also spewing carbon monoxide into the air for you and your whole family to breathe. Look at your car running on a winter morning. That isn't perfume coming out of its tail pipe, its dangerous chemicals.

4. If You Don't Have to go, Don't: Plan the trips you do make so that you can accomplish as much as possible each time you get into your car. Do your grocery shopping once a week. Plan to do other errands while you're out so you don't have to travel excessively.

5. Take Public Transportation When you Can: You may not enjoy sitting with total strangers when you have to go some place, but it isn't an unbearable hardship. You might even find that the people on the train or bus with you are pleasant traveling companions. If they don't interest you, a book or newspaper can keep you company while you're traveling, and is bound to be more edifying then driving in stressful stop and go traffic. If enough of us share our rides, we'll all have cleaner air to breathe, which is something we can all agree is a good thing.