If you have a car, you most probably know that taking good care of it is one of the best ways to maximize its performance and preserve the environment at the same time. Accordingly, here are some simple and yet effective car care tips that would help you take care of your car better and give back to the environment in more ways than one.
Green Cleaning Tips
Not many know that old methods of cleaning as well as green products can keep cars cleaner. Instead of opting for expensive cleaning products, opt to use normal household products to clean your car. Use a whiskbroom or vacuum to get rid of dust from floor mats and seats. Use a damp cloth to remove grime and dirt by wiping the steering wheel, dashboard and seats. A mixture of water and vinegar would work great for the windshield and windows. Dry the glass using a newspaper to remove streaks or smudges.
Do regular tune-ups and maintenance checks
Opting to give your car a tune up regularly would help it operate more efficiently while consuming less fuel. A car functioning at top capacity conserves energy and reduces air pollution, thereby contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment. Some of the regular maintenance checks you need to opt for in this case include:
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs need to be replaced periodically failing which, they cause electrical and chemical erosion. Dirty spark plugs also tend to misfire.
Gas Caps
Gas caps can become loose with time. If that happens, then they would allow fuel to leak. So check them regularly to see if they are properly fitted.
Air Filters
The air filters can also gather a lot of dirt and grime over a period. Cleaning or replacing them would help your car operate at maximum efficiency easily.
Inflate the Tires Properly
Improperly inflated tires will place extra strain on your car while driving, thereby forcing it to consume more fuel and energy. So make sure that your car tires are properly inflated at all times to improve fuel consumption. In some cases, misaligned tires can also increase a car’s fuel and energy consumption owing to the extra force they exert on the engine. So ensure that the inflated tires are fitted at the proper level in order to save fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions in the process.
Discard Junk
Driving around with a heavy load all the time will force your car to work harder and consume more fuel and energy to do so. Remove all the unnecessary stuff from your car and opt to travel light at all possible times in order to save fuel, money and the environment.
Opt to use AC only sparingly
Using the air conditioner too much would force your car to consume more fuel. If the weather outside is tolerable, consider rolling down the windows to let some fresh air in for a change. Not only would this be refreshing and healthy, but also it would save your car the trouble of eating up too much fuel in order to optimize its performance.
Drive Smartly
Avoid sudden stops and starts as these can place extra load on the car’s engine, forcing it to consume more fuel in these scenarios. Speeding too much can also shorten the life of your car and harm the environment in the process. So drive slowly and steadily, avoiding sudden stops and starts as you do so. Moreover, reduce unnecessary road time to extend your car’s life.
Summary
Taking care of your car the green way would help extend its life and maximize performance while not causing any harm to the environment in the form of carbon emissions. These pointers would help you care for your car and the environment in a better, greener way.
