Earth, Wind & Power Blogazine

Save Fuel with Tires in Tip-Top Shape

Did you know that if your tires aren't kept at the recommended pressure you could be losing 3 to 4 percent fuel economy every time you turn the ignition? 

Your dashboard tire pressure gauge may not indicate any problems, but it's worth taking a look on a weekly basis to ensure that your vehicle is as safe - and fuel efficient - as possible. After all, escalating summer temperatures can change tire pressure by an average of 1 psi for every 10 degrees it heats up!

Wondering how to take care of your tires and reap the rewards? Rely on these simple tips:

• Check tire pressure when the tires are cold; in other words, before they have been driven on. Do not bleed air pressure from hot tires. Follow the recommendation in your owner's guide for proper bleeding procedures.
• The proper air pressure for the front, rear and spare tires is listed on a sticker on the vehicle, usually on the driver's door jamb. The pressure listed on the tire sidewall is the maximum for the tire and not the recommended inflation pressure.
• Check tire pressure at least once a month and always before trips. Even if the tire pressure warning light is not on, the tires could be under-inflated.
• Always remember to check the air pressure in the spare tire when you check the road tires.
• Check tire inflation pressures with an accurate (+/- 0.5 pounds per square inch, or psi) digital tire inflation pressure gauge.

But don't stop with a tire-pressure check. Be sure to also monitor the alignment of your wheels to avoid rapid tread-wear, the rotation of your tires to ensure uniform wear and the tread grip, which will keep yoou safer in rough road conditions.

With your tires are in tip-top shape, prices at the pump may just become a little more bearable.

(Sources: Ford Motor Co., AAA) 

How Green is Your Car's Black Oil Change?

 
Recycle Used Oil to Help Protect the Environment

Next time you find yourself thinking about what you can do for the environment whether it is recycling, planting a tree, turning off lights when you’re not in a room, consider taking another small step to making a big change — take your vehicle to a fast lube center for its next oil change. Going green with your car isn’t just about fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, and hybrid automobiles. It’s about keeping your maintenance eco-friendly too. By visiting a fast lube center you can protect the environment and the water you drink.

RELATED LINKS

The Crude Truth of Oil Recycle Your Car Battery RTM's Car Care Section RTM's Planet Driven Section

If you change your own motor oil, what do you do with the used oil? Pouring it down the drain or dumping it on the ground or in the trash may not seem like a problem, but these disposal methods allow the oil to seep into the ground water. Four pints of waste oil can ruin 1 million gallons of water, which is a year's supply for 50 people, according to the Automotive Oil Change Association. [Full Story]

All New for May 15, 2011 - 5 Frugal Tips for Living Green & Earth Friendly Oil Changes

 

All new for May 15, 2011 - Our new issue sets its sights on for green-minded travelers, how earth-friendly is your oil change, 5 frugal tips for living green, and how to plan an action adventure vacation while treading lightly on mother earth. Visit EWP's Partner Website - Road & Travel Magazine now!!!

Back Issues Available of EWP & RTM

 

Did you know that our partner Road & Travel Magazine has been publishing since 1989? Among the hundreds of issues and thousands of articles published many have been dedicated strictly to environmental topics. There, in RTM's back issue section, articles have been archived back as far as 2001. Please feel free to search our back issue archives to find additional resources and articles on earth-friendly topics.

Did you know that Road & Travel Magazine was the first publication to give an award for the most environmental friendly car of the year? In 1997, RTM produced and hosted an auto awards show in Detroit which honored the GM - EV1 as the vehicle that was 'Most Likely to Change the World.'

The Earth-Friendly Award continued for several years but sadly there were so few competitors back then that we discontinued the award until more automakers joined the party. By 2009, most car companies had introduced various forms of eco-friendly vehicles from hybrid to diesel to now electric. As a result of their progress, we launched the Earth, Wind & Power Awards, which are dedicated to clean car technology. Stay tuned as we continue to expand the EWP Awards down the road.

Also visit the RTM Blog!

Please feel free to share EWP and RTM content with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We welcome and appreciate your support.

Earth-Friendly Car Washing Tips

Every vehicle needs a good cleaning, especially during the harsh winter months. Not only does it keep your car sparkling, it keeps your exterior in tip-top shape and helps to maintain the ultra important resale value of your ride.

To keep things green, you’ll want to revert to nontoxic, biodegradable soaps and water-saving practices like turning the hose off except when rinsing.

Some good examples of healthy cleaners: Biokleen All Purpose Cleaner ($8), which contains non-toxic ingredients like grapefruit seed and orange peel to defeat grease, and Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds ($7), a multipurpose cleaner that does double duty on your vehicle but keeps hands silky soft.

For the ultimate in green clean, try a waterless wash kit like Eco Touch ($20) that’s good for four to eight washes using the non-toxic, biodegradable soap and reusable microfiber towels or No-Wet Waterless Car Wash ($21), an organic solution that cleans, shines and protects in one application.

More tips for keeping your car clean and green.

 

Student Inventors to Unveil Eco-Driven EcoCAR Designs

Sustainable mobility is here to stay. And to inspire and support the next great generation of scientist and engineers to unite in the quest for eco-friendly transportation, the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors have established a three-year collegiate advanced vehicle technology engineering competition.

In the competition, called EcoCar, students devise cutting-edge plans then design and build advanced propulsion systems that could define the next generation of ‘green’ vehicle technologies.

Seventeen teams, selected from universities across North America, were challenged to engineer advanced vehicle solutions to increase fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These green designs were unveiled February 3, 2009 at the Washington Auto Show, in Washington D.C. However, keep in mind that the program goes on for two more years so check out how to get in. (Source: General Motors)

Honest-1 Auto Care Offers Eco-Maintenance

With environmental concerns top of mind and many putting the blame on automobiles, you can take your auto maintenance to the next level with an ECO TuneUp and ECO Oil Change from Honest-1 Auto Care.  As a full-service auto repair and maintenance chain, Honest-1 Auto Care is 100 percent ESA certified eco-friendly.  With strict company regulations, Honest-1 is dedicated to recycling auto materials, preventing pollution and conserving resources.  The company has also developed an exclusive line of new products that are designed to increase fuel efficiency and decrease engine emissions.

The ECO-TuneUp includes a 21 point inspection, lifetime air filter, platinum spark plugs, premium spark plug wires, new distributor cap and rotor, new fuel filter, Honest-1 Fuel Treatment with ECO 360 and a tire pressure evaluation. This service, like the other eco-friendly services they offer will improve fuel economy, reduce emission, decrease hazardous materials and save you money, among other things.

There are currently 19 Honest-1 locations throughout the U.S. with more on the way. Check out an Honest-1 location to give your car an environmentally-friendly treatment.

How Environmentally-Friendly is your Car?

It doesn’t matter if your car is new or old, big or small; there are plenty of preventive maintenance steps you can take to make sure your car is as “green” or environmentally-friendly as possible.

According to the Car Care Council, these few simple steps can help save the environment and save you money at the pump.  What more could you ask for!

1. Keep your car properly tuned for optimum performance

2. Regularly check and replace dirty air filters

3. Have the spark plugs checked

4. Maintain your vehicle’s cooling system

5. Make sure tires are fully inflated to make the most of your fuel mileage

Click here for more tips to make your vehicle more fuel efficient.

Prepare you Car for Spring, Get a Green Oil Change!

Next time you find yourself thinking about what you can do for the environment whether it is recycling, planting a tree, turning off lights when you’re not in a room, consider taking another small step to making a big change — take your vehicle to a fast lube center for its next oil change. Going green with your car isn’t just about fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, and hybrid automobiles. It’s about keeping your maintenance eco-friendly too. By visiting a fast lube center you can protect the water you drink.

If you change your own motor oil, what do you do with the used oil? Pouring it down the drain or dumping it on the ground or in the trash may not seem like a problem, but these disposal methods allow the oil to seep into the ground water. Four pints of waste oil can ruin 1 million gallons of water, which is a year's supply for 50 people, according to the Automotive Oil Change Association.

Almost half of the U.S. population relies on groundwater for their drinking water supply and the United States uses 83.3 billion gallons per day of fresh ground water, so protecting it is vital.

Taking your car to your local fast lube center will help protect the ground water. If you bring your car to a fast lube center for an oil change, the used oil from your car will be properly stored and recycled. If you do change your oil yourself, most fast lube centers also accept used oil from do-it-yourselfers. Either way, you are doing your part to keep used oil out of drains and landfills so our drinking water supply will be cleaner and safer to drink.

 

Click here for more articles on green car care from Road & Travel Magazine.

Steps to a Greener Car

By Erin marquis

Want a green vehicle? Your average gas powered car could be closer to environmentally friendly than you might think. Here are so steps you can take to make your car run great, look great, and save the planet.

1. Check out Your Tires: Tires keep at the proper pressure can save you a lot of gas in the long run.  

2. Smaller vehicle, newer vehicle: if you’re driving an older car, or an SUV, now might be the time to move to a smaller more fuel efficient vehicle.

3. Go Slow!: Lowering your speed on the highway will save a lot of gas. Today’s cars are manufactured to be most fuel efficient when driven at 55 mph. Drive at 70 mph, and you will be getting at least 5% less, miles-per-gallon, than if you drive at 55!

4. Preventative Maintenance: The best way to get the best mileage from your vehicle is to keep your vehicle well maintained. An engine that is not regularly serviced will burn more gas. Preventive maintenance saves you money in the long run, by maintaining your car’s fuel economy.

5. Control your right foot!: Gentle acceleration and gentle braking can save you up to 10% of your gas used. Vehicles are most inefficient when accelerating quickly away from rest. So, take it slowly and save gas.