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7 ways to save the Earth with your vehicle

SPONSORED — Other people’s cars may sport bejeweled license plate covers, family stickers in the shapes of soccer balls or flip-flops, or even eyelashes above headlights. But try a few tips to save the Earth with your car, and you can adorn it with a superhero cape as it flies (at a gas-saving moderate speed) down the highway.

Drive sensibly

“So often when we think about fuel economy, we place a lot of emphasis on specificiations of the vehicle or engine,” said Brett Jacobsen, customer experience manager at Subaru of Puyallup. “We forget about one of the most important factors in fuel economy – the driver.”

The U.S. government points out that aggressive driving lowers gas mileage by as much as 33 percent. While getting to your destination quickly can feel good, saving gas and money feels even better.

“You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.19 per gallon for gas,” fueleconomy.gov says. Drive 75 miles per hour and your $3 gallon of gas is effectively almost $4.

Unload your car

Next, unload your car. If you’re in the habit of emptying your vehicle immediately after returning from a shopping trip to a big-box store, you’re not only keeping it neater inside, but you’re unloading extra pounds that can lower gas mileage.

Don’t top off

On the topic of gasoline, don’t be tempted to “top off” your tank when filling up. It may be hard if you like to see round numbers instead of random digits on the pump’s screen, but stop when the nozzle shuts off.

Carcare.com notes that a “tank needs some extra room to allow the gasoline to expand” and topping off “can release harmful vapors into the environment.” Not only that, but you can end up paying more for gas if you don’t allow room in your tank for gas to expand when you use a pump “engineered to protect the environment that draws extra vapors back into the pump, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.”

Keep your car in good condition

Saving gas can also be achieved by keeping your engine and tires in good condition. Take your car in for regularly scheduled tune-ups and oil changes or do them yourself, and keep your tires inflated to optimal levels.

“Vehicles are designed to run at the optimum performance level when tuned and maintained to factory specifications,” said Jacobsen. “Following the factory recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle will not only extend the life of your car but will also maintain peak fuel economy levels.”

Park

Park it. Put on your comfy shoes and park in the first spot you find, rather than driving around and around the lot at the store or at work. Walking an extra 20 yards will save gas and add to the steps counted by that fitness band you wear. If you’re able to park in a garage or parking structure or in the shade, you’ll also save in the long run when the weather is hot. If not, use a cover. The cooler you keep your car, the less gas will evaporate and the less energy you’ll have to use to cool it when you get back in, as cozi.com says.

Leave it at home

Park it longer. Use a bicycle in pleasant weather to get to your destination, work out a ride share with friends to pick up children at school or with co-workers to get to the job, or use public transportation more often. At the very least, be deliberate about how you run errands. Combine trips to stores and plan your route for the fewest miles.

Use eco-friendly cleaners

Use eco-friendly cleaning products on your car, yummymummyclub.ca notes. There are many products available, from natural soaps and cleaners to reusable cloths that don’t require much, if any, cleaning solution.

All together, these habits will have you and your car looking like a superhero in no time.

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