Did you know that more than half of the typical American household's carbon footprint can be attributed to vehicle emissions? For this reason, an increasing number of states across the country have begun requiring vehicles to pass an emissions test upon being registered. Still, even if you live in a state where your vehicle doesn't need to pass emissions testing, there are some viable ways to go about reducing your vehicle emissions and thus living a greener lifestyle.
Shut Off Your Engine While Stopped
When your car is idling at a long traffic light or train crossing, you're not only wasting gas but emitting unnecessary waste into the atmosphere. If you anticipate being stopped for a significant period of time (longer than your average traffic light cycle, for example), it may be better to actually shut off your engine and restart it when traffic starts moving again. Doing so can reduce your carbon emissions and cut back on wasted fuel.
Reduce Your Air Conditioner Use
You might not think about it, but using your car's air conditioning also increases your carbon emissions slightly. You don't have to stop using your AC altogether; instead, make an effort to shut off your car's AC a few minutes before you arrive at your destination. Your car will stay relatively cool (especially if you leave the fan circulating during this time), but over the course of a year, you'll cut back on your vehicle emissions quite a bit.
Monitor Your Driving Habits
The way in which you drive your car can also have an impact on your emissions. The more abrupt stopping and accelerating you do, the harder your engine works, and the more emissions it produces as a result. By simply being more aware while driving, you can reduce sudden stops and make an effort to accelerate more smoothly, reducing your emissions in the process and saving wear and tear on your engine.
Take Better Care Of Your Engine
Finally, make sure you're taking the right steps to take care of your car's engine. A healthy engine is an efficient one, after all. In addition to bringing your car in for regular oil changes, you should also conduct tune-ups as needed. You might be surprised at what a difference taking care of your engine can make not only when it comes to your carbon footprint, but the lifespan of your vehicle as well. If you're looking for more information on auto repair, check out websites like http://petesservice.com/.
Share27 April 2016
After trying in vain to fix my car for a few months, I realized that I needed to hire a professional. I was tired of dealing with repairs that I was unfamiliar with, and I knew that I needed to get some help. I started looking around for a great auto mechanic, and even though one business was more expensive than others, I decided to work with them. They worked hard to fix my car, and I was really pleased with how great of a job they did. This blog is all about investing in proper auto service so that you don't have to deal with problems in the future.
