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Drive Green

In the event of going green your main concern lies with your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint can be characterized as ‘the measure of the impact of human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.’ Cars are said to be the second largest source of carbon emission and your contribution depends on how far you are driving, your fuel efficiency and also the amount of passengers in your vehicle.

To drive green can reduce your fuel consumption by up to 25% and thereby the carbon emission by 20%. Here are a few tips that can help you increase your fuel efficiency;

  • To idle your car for long periods of time not only wastes a lot of gas but it also reduces the lifespan of your vehicle. If you are able to plan your driving times around rush hour it would be beneficial to avoid them.
  • Slow down, especially on highways. Reaching your intended destination at a certain time is usually the motivation behind those driving at immense speeds on the highway, however by slowing down a bit and maybe leaving the house a little earlier can considerably improve your fuel economy.
  • Have your car serviced on a regular basis. If you keep your engine tuned you will be able to improve your fuel consumption with 4%. If you replace your air filter frequently you can easily improve the consumption by 10% and by keeping your alignment and pressure maintained also increases your fuel efficiency by 3%
  • Remember to check your oil and oil filter regularly.
  • Air conditioning is something most of us can live without, the problem is that so many people have become accustomed to it and therefore use it even when it’s not necessary. The air conditioning of your vehicle uses 15% of your fuel, if not more, and the rear window heater 5%.

According to the owner’s manual that came with the 1992 Ford Taurus shifting gears at the right time is crucial for efficient fuel consumption. To drive green the timing should go as follows;

  • First to Second - 27 km/h
  • Second to Third - 44 km/h
  • Third to Fourth - 56 km/h
  • Fourth to Fifth - 70 km/h

The importance of green driving should by no means be overlooked by the general public; after all it will not only prolong the lifespan of your vehicle but will make the world a safer and healthier place to live. To drive green is to cut CO² emissions, to reduce your fuel consumption and to improve safety. This doesn’t only apply to environmentally conscious society, but to all members of the public.

The latest and most celebrated way to go in regards to green living on the road is to convert to hybrid cars. Even though electric cars have been around for some time, the technology could never be optimized to produce an equivalent to vehicles with combustion engines. However as the hybrid hit the market it changed the way of driving forever. These vehicles are incredibly eco friendly and provide all the features of the regular vehicles we’ve become accustomed to, like being able to drive for long distances without having to stop and charge your engine at regular breaks.

Mr Green prides itself on providing you with the needed information to drive greenWe can consult you on all your green building needs and requirements and are happy to promote green living to all.