Simple Ways to Save Money As Well As the Environment

et’s face it — we all need to breathe. The average adult breathes about 3,400 gallons of air per day. Children breathe even more because they are more active.

You may think your car’s emissions are nothing to worry about when you consider the air toxins coming from power plants and industrial sources — but you’d be wrong! Motor vehicles emit several pollutants that the EPA classifies as known or probably human carcinogens. Emissions like benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and butadiene. You may not have ever heard these words, but trust me, THEY ARE BAD NEWS. The EPA estimates that mobile sources of air toxins account for as much as HALF of all cancers attributed to outdoor sources of air toxins. Even lower exposures may still pose risks. And since motor vehicles are an integral part of our world today, everyone is exposed to their emission.

So go outside and take a deep, DEEP breath. Now hold it while you take in the information that there are some simple tips that will not only help the environment, but will also save you money. So, let out that lungful of air, and listen up!

The first and most important thing you can do is MAINTAIN YOUR CAR. If you follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance guidelines, you will be reducing your car’s emissions while improving its performance.

aREPLACE FILTERS AND FLUIDS. It should be obvious, when you think about it, that dirty filter and fluids will run dirty.

aDON’T LET YOUR CAR IDLE. Not only does idling waste money, but it is unnecessary. Today’s cars don’t need to be “warmed-up.” And do you really want to be spewing toxins while you’re waiting for your grandmother to emerge from the hair salon?

aSLOW DOWN AND DRIVE SENSIBLY. Speeding and sudden acceleration are bad habits. Besides being dangerous, they cause your car to guzzle gas. Driving SANELY will maximize your cars efficiency, reduce unnecessary wear and tear on dozens of parts, and possibly save lives — including your own. The better mileage you get out of a tank of gas, the less emissions you produce.

aDISPOSE OF FLUIDS PROPERLY. Brake fluid, motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze and battery acid are all highly toxic. They should be disposed of in an authorized drop-off location. Call you local recycling district office to find the nearest location.

aCHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE. The softer the tire, the greater the friction between the road and the rubber, the harder your engine must work, the more toxic emissions it produces. Tires under-inflated by as little as four pounds of pressure can reduce your mileage by 10 percent. Not to mention that properly inflated tires will last longer.

aDON’T TOP OFF YOUR GAS TANK. Stop when the gas pump automatically turns off. Overfilling your tank can destroy something called your gasoline-vapor recovery equipment. This recovery canister is meant to store gasoline vapors so they are not released into the atmosphere. But if you overfill and gasoline sloshes into the canister, it will stop working. Then your car will be contributing to the formation of ground level ozone, smog, acid rain, and airborne toxins.

aWATCH YOUR OCTANE USE. Most likely, your car doesn’t need premium gas. Modern engines don’t benefit from it in any way. And, octane creates more pollution. So unless your car manual specifically recommends the use of premium gasoline, DON’T USE IT. Regular gas is less expensive and less harmful to the atmosphere.

aTURN OFF THE AIR-CONDITIONER. Using it increases the load on the engine, which in turn increases emissions and decreases fuel economy. So, unless the temperatures are high enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, try opening your windows. If that’s not practical, turn off the air-conditioner when you are comfortable. Also, park in the shade whenever possible. Besides preventing your car from turning into an oven, you will reduce pollution and waste that occurs when gasoline evaporates from the engine and gas tank.

aLIGHTEN UP. You car burns more gas and emits more pollution when the engine is operating under “high load.” This includes carrying extra weight. We all have a collection of accumulated junk in our cars and trunks. Throw it out! Less weight means better mileage and less pollution. Also, if you remove your roof-top luggage carrier after your vacation, you will cut down on air drag.

If you really, REALLY don’t care about the environment, I bet you DO care about your wallet. So consider this: a well-maintained vehicle should last 50 percent longer than a neglected one. The bottom line is that a well-maintained vehicle saves you money and helps the environment.

Also see:

Potpourri Assortment of Articles

The Future of Cleaner Air, Less Noise, and Electric Cars -you've heard all the hype. Find out about the new generation of electric cars.

How to Get Better Gas Mileage and Save Some Cash -Gasoline is approaching $2.00/gallon. 8 great pointers to help you save your cash.

You've Had a Car Accident: Now What Do You Do? -check for injuries, start screaming, call the police? Find out what you should do.

The 10 Commandments for Keeping Your Kids Entertained on that Long Trip -stop dreading that long trip with the kids. See some neat ways to keep them entertained.

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