According to leading experts, motorists are getting hosed, because the dealers at the pump wait several days before they pass on the savings to their customers, effectively padding their bottom line. So even with the slight relief, gas-saving awareness remains very high. Not to mention that high gas prices have also forced us to look for cleaner alternatives to oil.
If we decrease our oil consumption in favor of cleaner technologies, we not only decrease our personal energy bill and our nation's dependence on foreign oil, but we also contribute to helping the environment, which is a win-win situation.
While we would all love to drive a hybrid, it's not feasible for all of us right now (and the waiting lists on those babies are just increasing by the day). With that in mind, let's see what we can do to get the most out of our current cars. Here are a few of the suggestions I've found online to make our gas take us farther. Some of them are obvious, others I find to be doubtful
*Combine trips. Cut down on the short trips. Those are the most inefficient ones: your car's engine is not warm yet and thus doesn't run as efficiently as it could. So it's a good thing to visit as many places as possible in one trip, as you'll get a better mileage. Plus fewer trips means less gas.
*Make sure that you tires are properly inflated. Your car's owner's manual has specific information on proper pressure for your tires. When your tires aren't properly inflated, they don't give your car the traction that it's supposed to have, and that decreases your mileage.
*Change your air filter regularly. As you can certainly imagine, clogged air filters reduce the efficiency of your engine and/or air conditioner because they're not working in optimal conditions. As a result, your gas mileage suffers and your transportation budget increases (by as much as 10%)
Pay attention to your gas gauge. If you seem to go through a tank of gas too quickly compared to the usual, maybe it's time for an oil change or a tune-up.
*Check out sites such as www.gasbuddy.com and www.gaspricewatch.com to learn about cheap gas deals in your area. Local news stations also feature "cheap gas" resources, or other sites with similar information. Odds are, you'll find a website that goes something like www.[yourstate]gasprices.com to give you some local information.
*Avoid excessive accelerating, braking and idling. Experts agree that gas mileage is significantly decreased as speeds increase. Save gas and money by driving the speed limit and never any faster than 60 miles per hour. Also, engine technology has come a long way and it doesn't require that much gas to start an engine; so rather than let your car sit running for several minutes, turn it off, you'll use less gas.
*Map out your trip before you hit the road. Consult Mapquest, Google Maps, or Yahoo Maps to help you find the shortest, most direct way to get to your destination.
*If you're planning to buy a new car, check out Consumer Reports or www.fuelecomony.gov for information on cars with the best and worst mileage before you make that purchase.
*Monitor air conditioning usage. At speeds lower than 40 miles per hour, it can be more fuel efficient to roll down your windows. Personally, I'm on the fence on this one.
*Empty your trunk. Gone are the days where it was advisable to have extra weight in your trunk to "stabilize" your car. Nowadays all it does is weigh down your car... and your wallet.
*Learn about hypermiling. It's the science (art?) of driving in a way that absolutely maximizes the mileage you get out of your car. There are plenty of news reports online on the practice and its benefits.
Consider carpooling. Many people hate carpooling because it limits your flexibility and privacy. Still, it can be a great option. Car pooling can save hundreds of dollars annually and is kind to the environment, thanks to reduced emissions. What's not to love?
Americans literally have love affairs with their cars but high gas prices have turned it into a bit of a love-hate relationship lately. Spending less on gas and helping the environment might just put some spice back into said relationship.
Whether you live in New York City or rural South Dakota it is imperative that you do your part. With a little bit of education and understanding you should be able to help the environment by recycling with very little time and effort required on your part. One of the easiest things for you to recycle is the plastic and metal containers which your food and household products come in. Everything from your soda cans and bottles to your shampoo bottle can by far be recycled at your local recycling center. By simply washing out your containers, sorting them by type, and taking them to the local recycling center you can know that you personally help the environment by recycling. You may also find that as a nice added bonus the recycling center will pay you for the materials you bring them!
Some communities use curb-side recycling where you are asked to place your aluminum, plastics, and glass into special containers. You put these items into their respective recycling containers and then place the containers on your curb on your trash collection day. On your trash collection day the local trash company comes by and picks up your recyclable items and takes them to a local recycling center. This is one of the simplest ways you can help the environment by recycling. It takes so small amount of time and effort, but saves so much material from ending up in the landfill.
Another simple way you may be able to help the environment by recycling is to compost your kitchen garbage when on earth possible. Composting does not require any special composting equipment, but simply a kitchen compost container and a place in your yard where you can put its contents. You can use something trouble-free like a recycled plastic margarine tub as your kitchen compost container. You will want to fill it with the scraps from your meals preparation and meals you have eaten. (You do not want to place any meat or animal waste products in your compost ? ever!) At the end of the day simply take out your kitchen compost container and dump it into your compost pile. Every few days take a pitchfork or shovel and turn the pile. In no time you have both helped to save the environment by recycling and created wonderful soil for planting a garden or flowers in.
One of the most chief ways you can help the environment by recycling is to utilize electronic recyclers. When you are finished with your home computer you will need to recycle it. Monitor disposal is a big issue today because your monitor contains toxic metals and gasses. Thankfully a good number of communities now offer free home computer recycling at least once or twice per year. If your vicinity does not you might want to check your local electronic recyclers or see what the cost is to recycle your old computer at your local landfill. Generally the cost is about $10.00. That is a pretty low amount to be able to do your part in helping the environment by recycling.
As you can see, each one, everywhere, can do some very simple things to help the environment by recycling. Won't you do your part today?
Both Wilfrid Baptiste & R. Spencer are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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