I love my car.  I love it on days when I drive past pedestrians walking through rain, sleet and snow.  I love it because it lets me sleep in an extra half hour every morning since I don’t have to catch a bus.  I love it because it lets me go where I want, when I want. 

Sure, I understand that a single person taking her car to work and back every day is a terrible strain on the environment.  I know I am using more than my fair share of emissions.  Still, I wouldn’t give up my car for anything.  So how do those of us who aren’t willing to take the bus or carpool do our part for the environment?  It turns out the way we drive can have a big influence on how our cars effect the environment.

Eco-Driving

Eco-driving or green driving is a series of actions you can take to become a more careful driver resulting in fewer emissions and less wasted fuel.  Not to mention the money you’ll save at the pump.  Studies show the average driver can reduce the fuel they use by up to 25 per cent by following the guidelines of eco-driving.

Stop And Start

Avoid hard braking and quick acceleration.  Anticipate what the traffic around you is doing, so you can stop and start gradually.  When you drive smoothly, you reduce wear on your brakes, save fuel and create a safer driving situation.

Idle Hands

Instead of using drive-up lanes, park and go into the restaurant or bank.  It might seem more convenient to drive through, but letting your car idle in these situations wastes a lot of unnecessary gas.

One fact I discovered in my research that surprised me is that the engines in today’s cars don’t need to be warmed up in winter.  It causes excess emissions and doesn’t help your engine.  However, in 40 below weather, you might want to start your car ahead of time just so you can sit in relative comfort once you climb in.

Maintain Your Baby

Proper maintenance of your car helps reduce the amount of fuel it will use.  Make sure to replace your air filter as your manual suggests.  Just keeping your tires inflated to the recommended pressure can reduce your fuel consumption by 3 to 4 per cent.

Speed Demon

Speed limits are intended to keep you safe and have the added bonus of helping you save fuel.  The Environmental Protection Agency says reducing your speed from 65 miles per hour to 55, gives you a 10 to 15 per cent improvement.

Also, try to maintain a consistent speed.  Use cruise control on the highway when appropriate to prevent unnecessary use of the gas pedal.

Running Hot And Cold

On a beautiful summer day, open the window instead of using the air conditioning.  Use the heat only when you really need it.  By using your heater and air conditioning discerningly instead of automatically turning them on when you get in the car, you’ll save gas.

Filling Up

When you’re at the gas station, resist that last squeeze of the pump to “top up” your tank.  Even a small amount of gas spilled, damages the environment by causing air pollution as it evaporates — $23.51 is fine.  Don’t bother trying to make it an even $24.

Junk In The Trunk

Empty your trunk.  If you are carrying around a bunch of stuff in your car, the extra weight is going to hurt your mileage.  Get rid of as much extra weight as you can, because the more you carry, the harder your engine has to work.  Make a point of taking that recycling in right away, instead of carting it around town for a week, first.

Plan Ahead

Consider your route before you head out on the road.  If you can avoid congested traffic, you can reduce idling and frequent stopping and going.  If possible, share a ride or create a carpool.

A Driving Force

If you can follow these tips for safer, more efficient driving, maybe you can feel a bit less guilty about coveting your car.  I want to be a friend of the environment like everyone else.  I just want to do it from inside my warm, dry automobile.