February 26, 2016

How to limit your carbon footprint and drive cheaper

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The environment has suffered considerably the effect or careless use of resources and emission of toxic waste. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring they safeguard and utilize well what remains. You can play a role in environmental conservation efforts through many ways. A little goes a long way.

One of the ways that you can help is through thinking green when it comes to buying and using vehicles. Fuel emissions account for about 30% of greenhouse gases released into the environment. Therefore, making the right choices when it comes to choosing which vehicle to operate and how to operate it is essential.

Buying a car

Your choice of car is very important and there is a lot of variety in the market. In case you need to buy a car, buy new because newer vehicles pollute less due to more efficient systems in development than older models. Buying a new car also allows you to use it for longer without needing to buy another car.

Make sure the size of the car is tailored to your needs. Preferably, you should buy as small as possible, especially if you operate within a 50-mile radius on a daily basis. You can even share a car with neighbours and workmates to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. This will not only save you gas money but also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide the car releases into the environment daily.

Fuel efficiency is very important when it comes to buying a new car. What most people do not know is the fuel efficiency ratings for vehicles of the same size may vary by up to 45%.therefore, size alone is not enough of a determining factor.

Driving green

Once you have chosen the right vehicles, you also need to learn how to drive green. The following are some of the key things you need to do when travelling a cheap car journey.

  • Reducing weight on the tires also helps to reduce the fuel consumption. You should remove anything that is not necessary for the journey and try to pack light.
  • Roof racks cause much wind resistance, which also makes the vehicle use more fuel. If you are travelling over a long distance, you can remove them.
  • Under inflated tires, affect fuel consumption by up to 1% for every 6psi. Make sure you have the correct tire pressure before you start.
  • Proper vehicle maintenance is essential to keeping it at peak performance. You should always maintain and check your car before any long driving journey.
  • Drive with windows up to reduce drag and increase fuel consumption efficiency.
  • Limit air conditioning when it is not necessary as it also uses the fuel.
  • Driving at speeds of less than 60mph keeps your emissions as low as possible; it also costs you less fuel. When the vehicle is stationary, you should also switch off the engine.
  • Avoid harsh acceleration. Rapid braking not only wears out the vehicle but also increases fuel use by up to 30%.

Bio

Raphael Tucker, a researcher at the National Research Council has helped come up with various policies regarding pollution and motorists. You can read more about cheap car journeys here.

 

 

 

 

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