Between the cost of gas, the role of carbon dioxide in the climate crisis, and the outright hassle of road rage, sometimes it seems like cars are about to be added to the endangered species list. But you know what? Cars have a very useful place in our society, and it’s naive to think we can all just switch to bikes, walking or public transportation at the wave of a magic tree branch. Sure, those are great options, and every bit of conservation counts, so keep trying to use those alternatives when you can.
Realistically, though, sometimes you need a car — to get your kids to three different schools in 10 minutes, to run to the doctor during your lunch break, or to squeeze in a week’s worth errands on one weekend day. The trick is to make a conscious effort to be smart with your car, even if you don’t have a Smart Car. Hybrid technology is amazing, and becoming more mainstream every day. The choices are growing, and improving all the time, and if you want and can afford one, awesome. If not, that’s fine, too. Let me tell you, as a Prius driver, I have a love (seriously low gas bills) and hate (can we talk blind spots and no power?) relationship with mine. So if you’re looking for ways to drive your hoop-dee into the ground, while saving money and still being environmentally conscious, here are a few simple things you can do:
- Get a tune up, and remember to change the air filters. What can I say? We’ve all been behind the coughing, smoking car. Not to state the obvious, but if you can smell gas, or other chemicals, when you’re driving, something bad is leaking. And the stuff you can’t smell is even worse!
- Check the air in your tires. Correctly inflated tires give you more control over your car and get you better gas mileage — as much as 3 percent better! So much benefit for spending two minutes and 50 cents with an air pump!
- Get the junk out of your trunk. I’m not saying that you’re fat, but the heavier your car, the more gas it takes to move from point A to point B. If you’re dragging around giant sacks of dog food or pine bark mulch, you’re wasting gas. Sweet, precious, expensive gas. Practice this mantra: Cars are for moving things, garages are for storage.
- If you have two cars, pick the smaller one. Smaller cars are lighter, and on average get better gas mileage. (Pls. see above, junk & trunk.)
- Remember that lower speed limit thing from the 70s? Going slower actually does conserve gas! Also, try to avoid abrupt stopping and starting, which gulps gas. As a bonus, you’ll have a safer and less stressful ride.
- Carpool! Yes, even one less car makes a difference. If you’re lucky enough to have a local casual carpool, give it a whirl, or check out the very cool pick up pal, which helps you find rides and passengers through an online matching system.
- Roll down your window and stick your head out like a dog. Yup, AC is a big gas hog, and the coolants are, well, to put it mildly they’re totally toxic for the environment, so air cooled is better. That said, of course air conditioning is also a necessity for those of you in the scorching hot parts of the world. Just try to use it less, and think before you flip it on. It helps to get into the habit of switching it off when you turn off the car, so the next time you have to purposefully turn it back on.
I know, it seems like a long list. But it’s mostly simple stuff, and you don’t have to do everything, just try a couple! And best of all, everything on here saves both money and the environment. Think of them as double green coupons you can use to buy a better future.