EcoFriendly Car Tips - Best ecotips to cut your environmental impact and save money when using your car

There is no doubt that your car contributes a major cost to your budget.  In many cases, your car is an invaluable way for you to get around, even if its just to the closest commute point.  If you have a family, I don't have to tell you that the car is an essential part of coping with kids, shopping and commuting.  As important as the car it is, everyone is now well aware of the affect cars have on the environment, let alone your wallet when petrol prices go up. However, there are a few things every car owner can do to make a difference, not only to how much you car expenses are, but also to the environmental impact of running it.

These are a few car Eco-Friendly tips that are know to be effective at saving money and being eco friendly :

• Slow down your Take-off (acceleration). Accelerate at about 0 to 60 mph in 15 seconds. Average improvement in fuel economy: 31%
• Drive the at the speed limit.  Average savings:  12%
• Use cruise control on normal roads but not hilly areas. Average savings:7%
• Switch off your car if idling for more than 1 minute (eg stuck in traffic). Savings up to 14%
• Keep your tires inflated to recommended levels. Savings vary.
• Keep your tires properly aligned (check alignment every 5,000 miles)
• Purchase long-lasting, fuel-efficient Radial tires
• Turning off A/C and opening sunroof (but keep windows UP- windows down creates drag. Savings are small, but vary by vehicle.
• Combine car usage/chores and consider your route.
• The heaviest car emissions occur during the first two miles that a car is driven as the engine warms up, so for short journeys - walk or bike & keep fit.
• If buying a car, avoid the real gas guzzlers ie. automatic transmissions, larger, more powerful engines, power steering, air conditioning, and 4-wheel drive.
• Keep up car maintenance, especially ignition timing, spark plugs and idle speed setting (a poorly tuned car can loose up to 20% fuel efficiency)
• Compare different brands of gasoline  - some may give you better mileage.
• If you own more than one vehicle, try to use the one with the best gas mileage.
• Drive the speed limit - you can save 15-20% by driving 65 instead of 75
• Avoid quick starts and stops.
• In general, drive as smoothly as possible and maintain a constant speed.
• Keep windows shut at high speeds.
• Don't start your car until you are ready to drive off.
• If you drive a car with a manual transmission, upshift at the lowest speed
• Have your air conditioner serviced by a trained mechanic with access to a "vampire" machine, which recycles freon. These machines drain the coolant, purify it, and reinject it into the air conditioner.
• Use antifreeze which does not contain ethylene glycol
• Avoid carrying unnecessary, heavy items around in your car.  The car has to "tow" and work harder, burning more fuel.
• On trips, if at all possible avoid using roof-racks, car-top packs or towing a trailer as they produce drag, burning more fuel.
• Use the overdrive feature if available

Even applying just some of these suggestions can make a significant difference not only to your budget, but also the environment.  Generally you will find, you don't have to make radical changes to your lifestyle to make differences in your environmental impact.  Just a few small changes like this add up.  You will find more Eco Friendly Tips on the DIYEcoEnergy website that can help you make a difference in cutting costs and going green.