How to Be an Eco-friendly Vehicle Owner
With the growing importance of being eco-friendly in more facets of our life, many people don’t consider the ways in which they can be an eco-friendly driver, so we have compiled a list of a few ways that you and your family can start being more eco-friendly with your vehicle.
Cleaning Products
Everybody loves driving their vehicle after a good cleaning, but what chemicals are we using to wash our cars? Many of us are unaware of what chemicals are in the products we are using to do our Saturday washes.
With more companies trying to put out eco-friendly products, there are now many options to choose from for cleaning products. A lot of these soaps are biodegradable, meaning they do not contain harsh detergents which have a harsher impact on the environment.
It is also a good idea to wash your vehicle on gravel or a spot of grass. The ground below will act as a natural filter for the runoff and most cleaning products should not damage your grass.
Reducing Emissions
Reducing emissions is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint in today’s world, and there are many ways that you can reduce the emissions that your vehicle creates. One way is to avoid idling your vehicle in the winter. Most new vehicles will warm up faster by driving them rather than letting them idle.
By eliminating excess loads in your vehicle, you will increase your gas mileage. After your next road trip, make sure to remove any items that may be making your vehicle load higher, and this will help lower your emissions.
Proper tire inflation will also help reduce these emissions. Having under inflated tires can cause an individual to use over an extra 100L of gas throughout the year. With the rising gas prices, this can help you save money but also will diminish the amount of carbon dioxide released by your vehicle.
Recycle Car Fluids
It is important that oil, gas, anti-freeze and other car fluids are recycled properly. Depending on where you live, it is always a good idea to check where you can properly dispose these products. Most cities offer free disposal days throughout the year as an eco-friendly initiative.
Carpooling and Car Sharing
If you are able to carpool with associates to work or with your friends to your next outing, you could reduce your overall fuel consumption. By carpooling, you could help reduce emissions and congestion on the road. In some cities, you will also be able to use carpool lanes that can get you to your destination quicker.
In urban areas there may be car sharing services that offer an alternative solution to owning your own vehicle. You could also take into consideration your family’s car needs and downsize to one vehicle if you have the ability to do so.