- Drive a green car - Barbara Holbrook
For many years now, there has been a nationwide push towards "being green". In recent months however, that trend has become a way of life. Whether it's global warming or climate change, the environment is dramatically changing. As a result, minimizing greenhouse gases, recycling, and saving energy have become social responsibilities. Unfortunately, these are expensive responsibilities to which the general population is hard pressed to adhere. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce auto emissions and increase fuel efficiency with little to no cost.
Getting Hybrid Performance Out of Your Auto
Engines depend on many external and internal factors to run properly. Among these factors are, air intake, temperature, lubrication, fuel/air mixture, timing, and ignition. Regular maintenance can ensure that all of these factors are working together effectively and help the eco-minded car owner rest easy.
Grinding Parts Suck Gas
All fluids should be checked at regular intervals, manufacturer determined time frames can be found in owner's manuals. If the original maintenance manual is unavailable, then model specific maintenance manuals can be purchased online or from a dealership. Clean oil kept at the proper levels can improve performance and maintain a steady temperature. This is also true for transmission fluid and engine coolant. The easier parts can move, the less heat is generated and the less work the motor has to do to propel the car.
Clean Fuel Makes for A Green Car
In order to get the most efficient combustion, the fuel mixture that’s pumped into the cylinder needs to be as clean as possible. Filters are integral in keeping this mixture in good shape. According to Scott Memmer of Edmunds.com, air filters should be replaced every 12,000 miles, or once a year if it’s not a high mileage car. Dirty air filters will limit the amount of air that gets to the fuel injector and can cause build up in the injector. Also, the fuel filter needs to be replaced every 2 years or 24,000 miles. Gas picks up all kinds of contaminants from a number of different places. If the fuel filter is over worked or not working properly, then all those specs of dirt and grime will be sucked into the injector and then thrust into the cylinder. Once things start to get bogged down by build up, gas mileage starts to drop and emissions increase.
Clean Parts Make for a Better Burn.
Of course, if your fuel injector isn't working at capacity, then none of the above is going to matter. Fuel injector cleaner should be added to the gas every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.(repairtrust.com) This will prevent build up inside the injector. Once the clean fuel and clean air is mixed and pumped into the cylinder it needs a good spark. Worn out or dirty spark plugs and wires are going to cause misfires, which will hurt mileage. According to autohausaz.com plugs and wires should be replaced at around 30,000 miles depending on the make and model of your car and the mileage you put on it.() Finally, tire pressure should be maintained at the pressure written on the sidewall. If your tires are too full you'll start to lose traction, but not full enough and you'll lose gas mileage.
These general maintenance practices are cheap, easy ways to keep a car running efficiently and ensure that the road is full of eco-drivers doing their part to keep things green.
Sources:
Memmer Scott, How To Change Your Car's Filters, http://www.edmunds.com/
ownership/howto/articles/43786/article.html
http://www.repairtrust.com/fuel_inj.html
http://www.autohausaz.com/html/tuneups.html
GOG101
kevin geipel - Kevin is a student at Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA. On his way to an Associates of Science in Criminal Justice, he has studied a ...
