subject: How to Increase the Fuel Economy of your Family Car [print this page] How to Increase the Fuel Economy of your Family Car
Automobiles are one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, but for most busy parents the family cars are an absolute necessity. From shuttling the kids around town to scheduling appointments to simply picking up the groceries, the emissions that your vehicle gives off have the potential to make a significant negative impact on the environment. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to make your family car greener, short of trading it in on a hybrid!
Change Your Air Filter
First, be sure to replace your air filter regularly. Drivers should refer to their Owner's Manual for the specific guidelines of their family cars,but a good rule of thumb is to change the air filter during every other oil change. You can have the service technicians do this while they're already under the hood, but it's such a quick and simple job that it'll be cheaper to pick up the part and change it yourself. You might not even get your hands dirty with the work, but you'll be amazed when you see all the dust and pollen that has built up on your air filter over time. That buildup keeps air from slowing smoothly into the engine, which in turn reduces the efficiency of even the most fuel-sipping economy car.
Check Your Tyre Pressure
Next, plan on taking five minutes every week to check your tyre pressure. Underinflated tires are the biggest culprit when it comes to family cars with less-than-stellar fuel economy, particularly with larger vehicles or those 4WD sport-utility vehicles. Spending five dollars on a quality digital tyre pressure gauge is an investment that will actually pay for itself by the end of the month. Again, make sure to refer to your Owner's Manual for the proper amount of tyre pressure. Be careful not to overinflate, as this will reduce the life of your tyres.
Plan Your Route
Last, be sure to plan your travels carefully. It might sound funny at first, but taking an extra minute or two before you even leave the house will cut hours off of your weekly commute. More importantly, it will cut your monthly petrol bill! Try to plan a route that has as few left turns as possible, so you won't burn petrol while you're stuck idling at a stop light. Make sure to organize a list of all the stops you need to make in a single trip, so you don't end up backtracking all over town.
Remember, owning an economy car might be a necessity for you right now, but that doesn't mean you can't be environmentally conscious. With only a little extra effort, you can greatly reduce your carbon footprint, as well as your monthly fuel costs!
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