Good Driving And Car Ownership Habits To Reduce Car Emissions
Posted on: 23 September 2016
Reducing car emissions has a long way to go toward being standard behavior; many people still drive as if their cars had nothing to do with air pollution or greenhouse gases. However, that's no excuse for you not to pay attention. If you want to make your car more environmentally friendly, you don't have to undertake any complicated conversions to alternative fuel — a few good-driving habits will help.
Slow Down
The slower you go, the more fuel-efficient your vehicle becomes. Obviously there's a point where you have to go a certain speed to keep the roads moving and not cause a traffic jam. But if you like to speed past the posted speed limit, start cutting back. The less fuel you need to use, the fewer emissions your car will release.
Consolidate Trips
The old advice to consolidate your trips is still sound advice. Lots of short driving trips place stress on and wear down the emissions system. Even if your errands will require you to visit several stores, if you make them all in one trip, you're still not stressing out your exhaust system like you would if you were making one trip at a time. For one, the initial and final legs to and from your home are not repeated as often; also, your engine isn't cold at every start during that run of errands.
Inspect in Winter
One of the problems that exhaust systems have to deal with isn't exactly your doing, but it's something that your driving exposes them to anyway: road salt. If you drive a lot in an area that uses a salt-based deicer in the winter, the spray from your tires can send the salt spinning up onto the outside of the exhaust system pipes. The metal can then corrode, especially as the car gets older and is exposed to more and more salt. All you can really do here is have the exhaust system inspected more frequently in winter and spring (just have someone look at it to spot signs of corrosion) and have damage repaired quickly.
One more thing you can do is get your car smog-checked regularly. Your car registration may require it in many areas, but even if you don't have to get your car checked, you could benefit from doing so. Identifying any potential problems and fixing them is one of the best things you can do. For more information, contact local professionals like Lakeside Radiator & Auto Repair.
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