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Love driving? Wouldn’t be yourself if you weren’t a car person? Still want to do your bit for the planet? Have no fear! You can always be eco-friendly without giving up your passion. Check out these six tips to green up your driving.
Used Cars
Buying a used car is a great way to be green. New vehicles have to be transported to and from dealers and manufacturers, which creates a ton of carbon emissions. There are some great used cars out there, at places like Ron Skinner and Sons. You’re sure to find something you love!
Electric Cars
The obvious way to go greener in your driving is to buy an electric car or a hybrid. A hybrid has a generator to charge the electricity, which runs on petrol or diesel. So you get the best of both worlds! There are plenty of electric and hybrid cars to choose from. All the major car brands have green options you can choose from.
A/C
Watch how you use your A/C. Make sure it’s on Eco or Energy Saving Mode, and spare some carbon emissions. It would help if you also were extra careful when you use it. There’s always driving with the windows open and the breeze in your hair instead! Not having (or using) air conditioning makes a big difference to the environment.
Servicing
Keep your car serviced regularly. Make sure things like your radiator are working correctly. Getting everything tuned up can help lower your emission rate. Don’t forget to keep an eye on your emissions system. Keeping this in tip-top condition will definitely keep your car green. It’s what it’s designed for, after all!
Fuel
Check regularly for fuel leaks. If you spot one, get it fixed as soon as you can. The last thing you want is wasted fuel – it’s expensive for you and the planet. Not to mention dangerous.
Other ways to be more eco-friendly about your fuel include:
Checking tyre pressure: under-inflated tyres use more fuel, so make sure yours are fully-inflated
Filling your tank correctly: if your tank is too full, there are more harmful gases leaving your fuel tank and entering the atmosphere.
Extra Weight
Go over your car with a fine toothcomb, checking for excess weight. The heavier your vehicle is, the more carbon emissions it’s creating. Marie Kondo the extra weight!
You can swap your wheels for lightweight ones, change your suspension to uprated, remove the sound deadening floors, and double-check your music system doesn’t weigh a ton. If you don’t use the back of your car, you could change the glass windows to plastic, or even get rid of your seats. If you don’t use your air conditioning, consider getting rid of it, as A/C units are incredibly heavy.
Follow these tips to save the planet without compromising your love of driving. Want more green driving articles? Check out the useful article: Does It Cost Less To Run An Electric Vehicle?
