Fuel
Overview-
One big culprit of climate change is cars. Cars contribute to 25% of total carbon emissions of the world. And you can act. Take public transport. If you must use cars, use it responsibly, in a fuel efficient manner. With pump prices rising, there’s no excuse not to save our earth and save your wallet too.
Details-
Driving habits
- Drive at a constant speed. Avoid changing your speed unless necessary.
- Turn up the thermostat. You can also open the windows and switch off the air-con, which is viable as long as you drive below 80km/h, which will not affect the aerodynamics of your car.
- Go no faster than 90km/h. Your car is most aerodynamic at that speed.
- Take out that golf club weighing down your car. Out with all other weighty items too.
- Plan your route before you leave, to save on cruising around aimlessly.
- Switch off the engine when you are not driving for more than 2 minutes.
- Carpool with friends if you are going to the same place.
Maintenance
- Ensure your tires are fully pumped to the right pressure. Not only do you get a smoother ride, there’s also better fuel economy.
- Use the right fuel-it keeps your engine clean, for better fuel economy again.
- Make sure your car comes with a catalytic converter-to reduce the toxic gases your car is spewing.
- Send your car to the workshop often, to keep your car in tip-top condition.
Green cars
- Buy a hybrid car, CNG (compressed natural gas) one, or an electric car. These do help, though you can save just as much as long as you have good driving habits.
- If you really can’t get those green cars, get cars with smaller engine capacity or better fuel economy.
Alternatives
- One of the best things besides driving is public transport. If you live in an urban area with public transport, use it. Besides being much cheaper, it takes much less carbon emissions to do so per person on board. Trains, trams and buses are all forms of public transport. You save lots of money too.
- Avoid taking taxis, as they waste fuel cruising around empty for passengers. Dial for a taxi if you really need one.
- Cycling and walking are still the best alternatives for short-distance travel or places that don’t have public transport. What’s more, they emit nothing, don’t cost a cent, and are good forms of exercise.
- When you go on a holiday, try to take the train instead of flights and travel within your country or region. Aircraft spew lots of carbon. Staying in your region also means saving your money on long-haul flights, and if you remain in your country, you’re stimulating your country’s economy too.
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