We all want to do our part to help the planet by reducing our carbon footprints, but sometimes walking, riding a bicycle or taking public transportation just isn’t an option—you need to drive! Fortunately, there are ways to do both!
Cool your jets. Speeding, sudden stops, immediate acceleration can all reduce gas mileage by as much as 33%, wasting gas and money.
Pump it up. Are your tires properly inflated? Properly inflated tires can increase gas mileage by 3%. Pick up a handy-dandy pressure gauge, consult the owner’s manual of your vehicle for the precise calibration and periodically check the air pressure of your tires. Be aware that temperature affects tire pressure so keep particular attention when the seasons change.
Stay tuned. Keep your engine tuned with periodic maintenance visits. Filter changes, fluid replacement, tire rotation and alignment checks should also be conducted at the same time. A healthier vehicle means better performance and greater longevity. And don’t skimp! Using the proper grade of motor oil makes a difference.
Get App-y! No one intendson getting stuck in traffic, and doing so, beyond negatively affecting your mood, wastes gas and ups your CO2 emissions. With today’s access to traffic conditions via website and apps, there’s little excuse to ever go bumper-to-bumper. Find an alternative route beforehand or wait, only not in traffic.
Rack ’em up! It’s great that you’re an adventurer; hiking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing, skiing or communing with nature in any number of cool ways. And of course certain modes of adventure require a lot of cargo. But that doesn’t mean you need a ponderous gas-guzzling SUV or minivan. Instead, get a hitch-mounted cargo rack. A good one should only cost a few hundred bucks. But be sure to stay away from the roof-top boxes, which are far more costly and decrease fuel economy by increasing aerodynamic drag.
Outstanding Renewal Enterprise, Inc. (The Lower East Side Ecology Center) was founded in 1987 as one of the first organizations to offer community-based recycling and composting programs in New York City. The Center offers free public compost collection and education, electronic waste recycling, stewardship of public open space, and environmental education. Our programs focus on offering opportunities for all New Yorkers to learn about environmental issues facing NYC and to take responsibility for solving those problems.
