How To Be More Eco-Friendly When Driving?
About one third of the pollution we see here in Ontario comes from transportation. Energy efficient vehicles are expected to reduce this harmful pollution, but there’s still a long way to go until we’re all driving zero-emission cars. Each year, Chrysler is continuing to build better cars, but there are things we can do in the meantime to reduce our vehicles’ carbon emissions. This guide focuses on how to be more eco-friendly when driving.
FOLLOW THE SPEED LIMIT
Driving in town here in Brantford, we’re likely to stick to 50km an hour. As we head out in the county or on the 401 our fuel economy decreases. Not only is driving slower safer, it has a better impact on the environment.
USE CRUISE CONTROL
This option is almost a double-whammy. Cruise Control will help you follow the speed limit, improving fuel economy; it also saves you from speeding up and breaking… speeding up and breaking. Repetitious changes in speed like this are also increasing emissions.
DRIVE SAFELY
Aggressive driving needlessly raises your blood pressure and wastes your gas. The less you use your gas and brake pedal, the more you reduce your vehicle’s GreenHouse Gas emissions. Driving safely and using your cruise control on the highway can lower your gas usage by 15% to 30%. (Don’t forget, driving safely also lowers your car insurance rates, so you’re saving the environment, and some cash).
DON’T OVERFILL YOUR VEHICLE
When you’re filling up at the pumps, the gas nozzle will come to an automatic stop when your tank is full. Yet many of us squeeze the handle once or twice more, trying to squeeze in as much as possible. The problem is; that extra pump causes your tank to be overfilled, which leads to harmful vapours escaping your tank.
MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE
Regular maintenance is important for catching and fixing problems early on, but can also boost your mileage by about 5%. Additionally, many engine repairs can improve fuel efficiency by 40%. Experts recommend getting your car checked at least once a year.
PUT THE LID ON YOUR TANK
Turns out a surprising number of people don’t screw the gas cap on, all the way. This also leads to an increase in vapour emissions
LIMIT YOUR AC
Your car’s air conditioning doesn’t always have to be on. And when it is on, it doesn’t have to be on high. Consider limiting your car’s AC usage by:
- Using the re-circulation feature (the button is usually next to your temperature controls).
- Park in the shade.
- Tint your windows.
COMBINE YOUR TRIPS
When you avoid unnecessary trips by combining your errands, you’re drastically reducing your GreenHouse Gasemissions. Your engine is more efficient when it’s warmed up, making multiple errands in one afternoon better than errands run over the course of a week.
ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY WEIGHT
It makes sense that the less your car weighs, the more efficiently it runs. The weight of the average vehicle has increased consistently since 1970. If you’re able to reduce your vehicle’s weight by 20%, you’ll see your mileage increase by about 9%.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These tips will work well on their own to make your vehicle eco-friendlier, but will work better together. Now, knowing that the environment is a priority for you, it can be a consideration the next time you’re shopping for a new vehicle. Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep are proud to keep working towards reducing emissions. In fact, USANews.com included the Dodge Grand Caravan, The Chrysler Pacifica, and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the top vehicles for fuel economy, with the Pacifica Hybrid in the top spot.