Tips for Becoming a Green Driver

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In your efforts to do your part to take better care of the environment, you've likely considered your driving habits. And just as you can tell by the Cadiz Water Project twitter profile that they're committed to reducing their carbon footprint, you can do the same every time you get behind the wheel. Even better is the fact that you don't have to buy an eco-friendly car to take action.


Take Good Care of Your Vehicle
Not only is sticking to your car's maintenance schedule good for the environment, it's also good for your wallet. By getting your oil changed and your engine tuned up on the regular, you reduce your chances of experiencing an avoidable breakdown, which can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Besides taking your car to the shop for routine maintenance, you should also take steps to ensure that your tires are properly inflated to maximize gas mileage.

Use Green Driving Practices
When you're behind the wheel, pay close attention to your driving habits. Going back to gas mileage, you can boost yours by not engaging in sudden braking and accelerating, which can also lead to accidents. Something else you can do is take care of as many errands as possible during a single trip, which also saves you time.

Consider Car Sharing and Carpooling
If you live close to any of your co-workers, or if they don’t mind driving a bit out of their way, see if some of them would be willing to carpool to work. You can also do this with your neighbors or classmates if you're in college. Carpooling reduces the number of harmful fumes being churned into the air, and it means there are fewer cars clogging up the roads.

Alternatively, you can check to see if there are any car-sharing programs in your area. The way these programs work is you can rent a car for a short period of time to run errands or drive to a destination that's too far to walk, which is especially convenient if you don't own a car and would rather not own one.

Take Public Transportation
Depending on where you live, there could plenty of options for public transportation. Even if you own a car, it's nice to let someone else handle the driving for a while as you relax and read, get some work done, listen to a podcast or catch up on a TV show. Besides going green, taking the bus or light rail is also a good way to get a bit of exercise in. Even if you have no choice but to drive to a bus or train station, you're still doing your part to keep the roads and the air clear

Dispose of Car Parts the Right Way
Should you discover that you need new batteries or fluids and prefer to take care of the job yourself, take steps to dispose of parts and liquids the right way. Specifically, there may be a recycling center in your local area that accepts car batteries, tires, motor oil and other fluids. If you prefer to let a professional auto shop or dealership handle the job, be sure they recycle whatever parts and fluids they can and safely dispose of the rest.

Replace Your Air Filter
Just as a clogged or dirty HVAC air filter can compromise the performance of your air conditioner or furnace, the same applies to the air filter in your car. Get the most out of your gas mileage and maximize your engine power by having your air filter inspected every time you get your oil changed.
You don't have to go to the extreme when it comes to going green with your vehicle. Use the above tips to see how they work for you and your environmentally friendly preferences.