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On The Road
P2 Week
September 15-21
- How can I prevent pollution by maintaining my vehicle properly?
- How can I operate my vehicle and save money while helping the environment?
- What can I do to be sure my car is "Green"?
How can I prevent pollution by maintaining my vehicle properly?
- If you change your own motor oil, recycle it at a "quick lube" shop, gas station, or auto store that accepts used motor oil for recycling.
- Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Buy motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
- Keep your car tuned up and the tires properly inflated to save on fuel costs. Keeping tires properly inflated and wheels aligned reduces tire drag on the road. Gas mileage drops 1% for every pound of air below the recommended tire pressure.
- Don't top off the gas tank. This allows harmful chemicals to escape into the air.
- Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
- On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) - Frequently Asked Questions
- Clean Cars -- Clean Air: A Consumer Guide to Auto Emission Inspection and Maintenance Programs
- Collecting Used Oil for Recycling/Reuse: Tips for Consumers Who Change Their Own Motor Oil and Oil Filters (PDF) (8 pp, 217KB, About PDF)
How can I operate my vehicle and save money while helping the environment?
- Think about giving your car a day off. Consider transportation alternatives such as mass transit, car pooling, bicycling, and telecommuting. By leaving your car at home two days a week, you can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds per year.
- Drive the speed limit; avoid high speeds. You can improve your gas mileage about 15 percent by driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.
- Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage (PDF) (2 pp, 19.8KB, About PDF)
- Good, Better, Best: How to Improve Gas Mileage
- Drive Wise
- Fuel Economy.gov
What can I do to be sure my car is "Green"?
You may be surprised to know that you have cleaner more fuel-efficient choices in any vehicle size you need, even SUVs, trucks, and other heavy-duty vehivles.
- Check out EPA's Green Vehicle Guide.
- Green Vehicle Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
- Pollution Solutions Traffic
