Tips and Tricks for Having a Greener Car
While going for green products at the grocery store may cost you more money than you’re prepared to spend, going green with vehicles is actually a way for drivers to pinch pennies. And with the added satisfaction of having served mother earth, it’s time for you to take seriously these green tricks:
Add a solar roof.
While you may not find your solar car that dependable during cloudy days, but you can actually tap the sun’s help by installing solar panel systems on your existing hybrid’s roof. While the cost of solar roof installations does not come cheap, you’re increasing your car’s fuel economy by 29 percent with the help of this add-on. These solar panels gather sunlight and then convert it into electricity enough to let your hybrid run for 20 miles each day, while on electric mode.
Go for vegetable-based fuels.
The beauty of vegetable-based fuels (aside from the salivating aroma of French fries) is that you do not have to modify your diesel engine. Your existing diesel engine can use biodiesels and with more gas stations offering biodiesel, going for vegetable-based fuels is actually a convenient choice. But before you start scouring for stations which offer biodiesel, know which grade is compatible for use with your engine to avoid voiding your car’s OEM warranty. Conversion kits are also available, so you can use vegetable oil without having to go to pump.
Go light.
Because your car’s fuel efficiency decreases as your car’s weight increases, make sure to eliminate any dead weight. Before you go to the extremes, think in terms of golf clubs which you’ve been stashing at the back of your car since last week and sandbags. If you don’t use your roof rack that often, uninstalling it will lighten up your vehicle considerably.
Keep the sun out of your car.
While your roof might welcome the sunlight with open solar panels, your cabin should stay as cool as possible. Relying on the air conditioning system to counteract the heat will rob your engine of power and cause lower fuel efficiency. Sun reflectors are effective in keeping temperatures down and you from feeling uncomfortably hot, for the next ten minutes or so, after you stepped inside your car.
Never miss a tune-up.
Tune-ups and oil changes are routine tasks when it comes to car maintenance. While their importance is underestimated, failing to adhere to a regular schedule can result in engine problems. Synthetic oils are more durable than the traditional, offsetting the effects of a missed oil change. Of course, try as much as possible to have regular oil changes and tune-ups. Steven Anton shares the best info about cars. Visit his site, http://www.autofairhonda.com/index.htm
