Use greener cleaners
Choosing a triple-concentrated biodegradable product to wash or clean your car has the potential to save about 400 million gallons of water and 200 million pounds of plastic a year. Stay away from petroleum and keep the products vegetable-based and chlorine-free. An eco-friendly car wash in your area is another option.
Buy better gas
Any diesel engineshould perform well using a blend of biodegradable diesels available in all 50 states. Ethanol 85 (E85) is a mix of corn-based ethanol and gasoline that reduces emissions for fuel-flexible vehicles (FFV). At the very least, you can support gas companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil such as Cenex, Sinclair, Sunoco, and Kwik Fill.
Recycle used oil
Over 180 million gallons of motor oil are illegally dumped each year. Service stations, repair facilities and quick lubes often accept used oil and used oil filters. Sites properly dispose of oil include the American Petroleum Institute at www.recycleoil.org.
Rethink the air quality
Use a sun reflector to ward off rays and roll down windows whenever possible. Heat releases harmful organic compounds can be released from upholstery, plastics and other components inside your vehicle. Refrain from using the AC.
Buy retread tires
Did you know you will spend 30-50% less if you roll with a retread tire? Airlines, school buses, racing cars, and U.S. military vehicles use retreads – you can learn more at www.retread.org. Keep your tires properly inflated, too.
Driving is what driving does – to your car, anyway
Your vehicle can only do so much for reducing your carbon footprint: At some point you're going to have to reassess how you are driving to keep the equation clean and green. If you accelerate and brake gradually, carpool whenever possible, drive the speed limit, quit your idling and erase a few errand trips, you'll give your car a longer shelf – or road – life.
Your carbon footprint is not judged by car alone
Do you work from home? Do you own a small house? Do you unplug chargers? Do you recycle properly? Answer yes to any of these questions and your carbon tracts could be making a tinier imprint as a whole. Skip the meat a few times a week and reduce the air travel for good measure.