Are new models greener? How to make your car more eco-friendly
We all know that cars aren’t exactly kind to the environment, which is why it’s normally the first place we look to change when we’re trying to make our lifestyle a little bit greener.
For most of us, the answer to more environmentally friendly travel seems easy –swap your old petrol-guzzler for a sleek hybrid model.
Your instincts tell you to go for a Prius, the ones all the celebs in LA drive. It’s bound to be greener than a bog-standard Vauxhall Corsa, right?
New isn’t always greener
Although modern cars designed with sustainability in mind have their environmental benefits, the decision to buy one isn’t so clear cut.
A couple of years ago, The Telegraph published an article in which they debated which car was greener – an old one or a new one.
They argued that keeping your current vehicle could be the most ecological option, considering the carbon footprint and environmental cost involved in the manufacturing of new cars.
By sticking with the car that’s sitting in your driveway right now and simply making it more eco-friendly, you can save yourself some money but still start living a little bit greener.
Here are a few top tips for giving it a green boost.
#1: change your driving
Let’s start with the simplest step – changing your driving. Just by making a few small adjustments, like driving slower (around 50mph is ideal for fuel efficiency) and reducing your air con use, you can keep your car’s fuel consumption to a minimum.
#2: check your tyres
Flat or overfilled tyres aren’t good for your car’s engine. Check your owner’s manual to find out the ideal tyre pressure level for your specific model and then adjust appropriately. It could improve your gas mileage by up to three per cent.
#3: keep on top of maintenance
Keep on top of general maintenance, like looking after your interiors and tyres, to guarantee your car carries on running smoothly and efficiently.
Build a toolkit of quality materials and products, from vinyl floor adhesive to tyre sealant, so that any renovations or fixes you have to make are long-lasting, sustainable and as eco-friendly as possible.
#4: swap to eco-friendly cleaning products
Besides wasting a lot of water, washing your car with tough, strong chemicals isn’t good for the environment.
Luckily Eco Touch has created a range of premium biodegradable and non-toxic car cleaning products that are much gentler, although they’ll still leave your windows and interiors spotless.
#5: remove excess weight
Did you know that getting rid of 100 pounds of excess weight from your car will improve its fuel economy by around two per cent?
Give it a good spring clean (throwing away all the junk you’ve let pile up on back seats and in the boot) and remove unnecessary things like empty roof racks. It’s all just forcing your engine to work harder and less efficiently.