More hybrid automobiles and environmental friendly substitute fuel automobiles keep on attracting the attention of the media and also a progressive market share. Moreover, such organizations such as AAA as well as government agencies hold regular disposal drives to make sure that no one disposes of batteries or old tires in a way that would threaten the environment.

But even if you aren’t at a point where you can trade in your car for a hybrid or you don’t have a bunch of old tires or old car batteries piled up around the yard or the garage, there are two very easy ways that let everyone have a positive impact on the environment: maintain your car on a regular basis and adopt and practice better driving habits.

Stick to these recommendations to get started with a greener way to drive.

1. To get the most of your car’s mileage, maintain your vehicle at its optimum performance level. Keep to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule without fail. Not only will the engine use fuel more efficiently, but it will live longer. Pay attention to the “check engine” light as problems in the emission system are normally indicated through that.




2. Be certain that the mechanic’s garage you choose is ecologically safe. You can get recommendations from the local Automobile Association, or you can check with family and friends. Although it is less common now, some garages fail to properly dispose of or deal with waste materials.
3. Be certain your tire inflation levels are appropriate, and always examine your tire pressure routinely. When tires are under-inflated, this negatively impacts gas mileage, while over-inflation can accelerate tire wear.
4. Always have your car’s AC equipment serviced by a garage that is qualified to do this type of work. Certification is a sign that they have received the proper training and have the correct equipment to correctly handle and recycle refrigerant so that these chemicals won’t be released into the atmosphere, where they can adversely affect the ozone layer.
5. Earlier car models may be equipped with a hood or trunk mechanism laden with mercury. To repeat, many organizations and some municipalities have their own programs where they exchange toxic and environmentally hazardous old parts for more environmentally-friendly new ones — usually at little or no cost to you.
6. Drive within the posted speed limit, speed up gradually (don’t “hit the gas”), and stay away from gunning it when you start it up. By altering established habits and easing off on the pedal, you can conserve on fuel.
7. Always adhere to your region’s rules governing the disposal of motor fluids. Never pour fluids on or into the ground nor should you dispose of them in any way that would allow them to get into and contaminate groundwater or any other source of water. As before, proper battery disposal is crucial too. You can bring your used battery to most automotive stores and they will recycle it for you with the purchase of a new one and a small fee.

Maintaining your car in top running condition and adopting more fuel-efficient driving practices will help save fuel, help keep down pollution-causing emissions, help keep your car on the road as long as possible, and will generally be much safer for you, your family and others on the road around you. What this implies is that your ecologically safe measures will benefit both you and the planet too.