Earth Day 2010: How to drive green every day

Apr 22, 2010 5:00 AM

It’s been 40 years since the first Earth Day was celebrated, and we’ve come a long way toward a greener automotive world. Cars are more fuel efficient than ever before, have more stringent emissions that will be enhanced in the coming years, and more vehicle energy options are quickly entering the marketplace. While this is all good news, there is still more work that can be done to make transportation more green.

Probably the most environmental thing consumers can do is not drive or reduce your vehicle travel, but that is not very realistic for many people. Consider taking mass-transit whenever possible or riding a bike to work. However, there are other earth-friendly things you can do now in your current vehicle.

No idling. A number of schools across the country have instituted a no idling rule to reduce children breathing in exhaust, but you can stop unnecessary idling every day. There is no need to warm up your car or keep your car running while waiting for passengers. The general rule-of-thumb is to turn off your car if you know you’ll be stopped for more than 30 seconds. Stopping idling helps air quality, saves gas, and reduces pollutants.
Keep your tires properly inflated. In our tests, we found fuel economy is reduced when tires are not inflated to where they should be. Do this when the tires are cold (before the vehicle has been driven or after no more than a couple of miles of driving). Use the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer, not the maximum pressure embossed on the tire’s sidewall. The recommended pressure is usually found on a placard on a front doorjamb, in the glove compartment, or in the owner’s manual.
Slow down. Slowing from 75 to 55 mph boosted gas mileage 33 percent in testing performed on a family sedan and a large SUV.
Combine trips. Avoid making multiple short trips or try to combine all errands into one trip. If you can, avoid rush hour as sitting in traffic burns more gas and emits more pollutants.
Drive light. Reduce the amount of cargo you have in your vehicle--clean out all the useless junk in the trunk--and take off your roof rack when you’re not using it. This will lighten your load, reduce drag, and aid fuel economy.
Ride share. Carpool to work or ride with other families to school or sporting events. Better yet, ditch the car altogether and use public transportation or bike/walk to do errands or get to work.

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out our list of the most fuel-efficient cars and SUVs. Hybrids, diesels and small cars provide the best fuel economy, but new technologies such as electric vehicles are heading to dealerships in the coming months. (See our preview of the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.)

For more information on alternative fuels, see our guide. For tips on saving fuel, check out our guide to fuel economy.