As of late, we have been hearing a lot more about environmentally friendly vehicles that contribute much less to air pollution than a standard car. While it might not be possible for you to buy an electric vehicle to help the environment, you can still help save the environment by making your car eco-friendly. Here are some tips to help make your car eco-friendly
Put Some Air in the Tires
When your tires are under-inflated, your vehicle faces more rolling resistance. This means that the car does not roll as easily as it rolls on properly inflated tires. There is no doubt that driving a car on under-inflated tires increases fuel consumption. If the tire pressure is correct, the gas mileage improves by 0.4% on average.
With every 1 psi drop in pressure of all tires, the gas mileage is reduced by 0.2%. Be sure to check the tire pressure often and air them up if the pressure is lower than the manufacturer recommended amount.
Empty the Trunk
A heavier vehicle burns more fuel. People who have a habit of leaving things in the trunk are constantly burning more fuel than they need to be. Make a habit of emptying the trunk by regularly removing anything that is not necessary. For example, the golf clubs that are only needed on weekends do not to be in your car all week. Instead, stash your clubs somewhere close to the car and load them in before you hit the links.
Change the Fuel and Air Filters
The fuel filter is designed to remove contaminants from the fuel. Over time, the fuel filter can get clogged. This blockage drastically affects the acceleration and mileage of your vehicle. According to car experts, you should replace your fuel filter after every 30,000 miles to ensure your vehicle is working at peak fuel efficiency. Similarly, air filters also get clogged over time. Replacing clogged air filters can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
Smooth Acceleration
Harsh acceleration increases fuel consumption and adds to the wear and tear of your engine. Because of this, you should accelerate smoothly if you are attempting to improve fuel economy. Faster acceleration is also associated with harsh braking, which is another common method of unknowingly wasting fuel. Try your best to drive at an appropriate speed on the road. Driving at a steady speed of 55mph instead of 70mph can improve the fuel economy by up to 25%.
Get New Spark Plugs
Did you know that bad spark plugs can reduce your car’s fuel economy by up to 30%? A new spark plug not only offers improved engine performance but also increases overall gas mileage. This small fix can do wonders for your car’s sustainability and performance.
Stick to the Tune-Up Schedule
Regular tune-ups will ensure your car uses fuel as economically as possible. Fixing an out of tune vehicle can improve its mileage by an average of 4%. Regular maintenance provides a critical opportunity to fix minor problems before they become much larger and more expensive. For example, fixing a faulty oxygen sensor on time could improve the fuel economy by as much as 40%.
Reducing the environmental impact of your vehicle is not as difficult as it may first appear. Follow the tips given above and you can rest easy knowing you are doing your part to help reduce the carbon footprint that comes with being behind the wheel.
