How often have you seen the greenhouse gas savings of some new development in renewable energy or in energy efficiency compared to the carbon cost of driving the average car a number of miles? It’s a pretty constant reminder that driving is one of the biggest ways each of us contributes to global warming. Yet living as we do in a rural, sparsely settled town, most of it in the National Seashore (hurrah for our good life!) most of us are really dependent on automotive travel to live our regular lives no matter how “greenly” we try to do it.
Yet there is a lot we can do to reduce our carbon footprints without giving up automobile use entirely! Some of these hints suggest ways to drive less. Little changes in the ways we operate, maintain, and refuel our autos, like most of the other stuff you read here, individually don’t amount to much; but collectively and over time, do make a real difference. So, fasten seat belts, keep windows closed to minimize drag, and let’s go!
Low-carbon Car Talk
1. Use your car as little as possible: carpool whenever you can, use the FLEX bus and other mass transit, shop locally, plan trips to accomplish many chores at once.
2. If you have two cars, drive the one with best mileage the most. Consider making do with just one.
3. Get out and walk more; it’s good for you. More than a quarter of U.S. car trips are one mile or less, and 13.7 percent are a half-mile or less. For most of us, these are walkable distances. Find a backpack or briefcase on wheels that can tote your work items and laptop.
4. To minimize use of a car’s air-conditioner in summer, park in the shade or use windshield shades, which fold up when not in use.
5. Bicycling is an excellent way to minimize car use and get exercise at the same time. Mount a wire basket or pannier bag to your bicycle so you can carry more and do more chores per trip.
The following tips on increasing your gas mileage will not only lessen your contribution of greenhouse gases but will save you money.
6. Drive conservatively and cooperatively. Don’t try to win imagined races by jackrabbit starts or by unnecessary accelerating and passing. Savings may include a life or two, perhaps your own.
7. Anticipate stops by taking your foot off the gas pedal when you see a red light ahead or when approaching a turnoff going uphill.
8. Keep tires properly inflated and wheels aligned. That can get you an extra mile or two per gallon. Trivial? An estimated 32 million U.S. cars and trucks ride on at least two under-inflated tires, wasting 500 million gallons of gas annually.
9. Avoid high speeds. According to the EPA, you can improve your gas mileage about 15 percent by driving at 55 mph on the highway rather than 65 mph, and you’ll avoid unnecessarily emitting lots of CO2. Gas economy goes down fast at higher speeds.
10. Change your air filter regularly. A dirty air filter prevents your car's cylinders from receiving enough air and throws off the fuel/air mix, which lowers your gas mileage as much as 10 percent. You’ll save up to 165 gallons of gas per year by changing filters. Also, change the spark plugs, oxygen sensors, hoses, and belts when necessary.
11. Don’t let your engine idle for more than a minute; it’s against our state law. Not only do you get zero MPG idling, your engine functions very inefficiently, producing more pollutants and GHG. Modern cars don’t need to “warm up” when starting on cold days; just turn the key and go. When you stop, get into the habit of turning off the motor at once. NEVER go away from your car leaving it idling, inviting a thief!
12. Use your car’s air conditioner wisely. Your gas consumption increases by 20 percent whenever your air conditioner is running, according to the EPA. You'll save gas if you roll down the windows and enjoy the breeze around town. On the highway, keeping your windows up will save gas by reducing drag.
13. Don’t top off your gas tank. Refraining (or always asking the attendant not to top off) cuts down spills and waste of fossil fuel as well as keeping carcinogens out of the air you and other people breathe.