What’s your car’s impact on the environment?
Our personal choices in transportation may be the biggest single influence we can make on the health of the planet. Of course, buying hybrid vehicles, car pooling, using public transit, combining trips and choosing to walk or bike to your destination are all great ways to reduce the amount of pollution being released into the atmosphere.
The way you drive can also reduce fuel consumption and the overall impact of your car on the environment?
- Aggressive driving with fast starts and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%.
- Remembering to accelerate and brake smoothly, and using cruise control on long stretches of highway can increase your cars’ fuel efficiency.
- Properly maintaining your car can also decrease emissions and increase fuel efficiency.
- Under inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by as much as 6%.
- Poorly tuned engines use up to 50% more fuel and produce up to 50% more emissions.
To find your cars’ energy impact score and ways to increase your cars’ fuel efficiency, visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
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