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EarthSmart Road Trip
The EarthSmart Life | by Kim Carlson
You may be planning a road trip with your family or friends this summer to visit
part of North America. Most of us fondly remember childhood family trips to Yellowstone
or Glacier National Park. Packing the kids, the family pet and all your gear can
be an exciting way to see the country and spend quality time with the ones you love.
Road vacations are another excellent way to practice being more planet friendly.
There are many ways to save energy and money if you travel Earthsmart. In fact, you
can improve your gas mileage by several percent if you practice just a few simple
things. Here's a checklist you can use to help you make sure your family and vehicle
are ready to go:
« A Check-Up for Your Vehicle -- First, make sure your vehicle and its parts
are properly maintained. Properly inflated tires are a big factor in gas mileage
and can also help your tires last longer. Knowing your tires' PSI (pounds per square
inch) is critical. Some vehicles PSI will vary between front and back tires. I have
a pair of old gloves and a tire gauge that I store in my car so I remember once a
month to check my pressure.
Of course it's also very important to keep your car tuned up. This means checking
and replacing air filters on a regular basis, and making sure you're using the recommended
motor oil in your car. Some studies have found that replacing a clogged air filter
can improve your mileage by as much as 10 percent! Be sure to use the manufacturer's
recommended grade of motor oil. And if you select a motor oil with "Energy Conserving"
on the API performance symbol, you'll be sure that it contains friction-reducing
additives for even better mileage.
« Eco-Driving Tips -- Once your vehicle is ready to go, it's time to think
about becoming an eco-driver on the road. Remember that you're taking a road vacation
to enjoy the scenery along the way. So observe the speed limits. Some EPA estimates
have shown up to 10 percent better gas mileage at 55 mph rather than 65 mph. According
to the Department of Energy, you will pay an extra 10 cents per gallon for every
mile per hour you drive over 60 mph.
But, if you're like me, you might find yourself doing 70 in a 70 mph zone. So another
way to save mileage is to make sure you're accelerating and decelerating smoothly.
No jack-rabbit starts. Slamming on the brakes or speeding up quickly can be dangerous,
and it's harder on your car. Driving erratically also uses a lot of extra fuel and
produces more emissions. So try to maintain a steady speed, and use cruise control
whenever you can.
Use the air conditioning selectively. It causes greater engine effort during acceleration,
so if you're passing another vehicle, try turning it off. And open your windows to
keep a nice breeze flowing.
« Keep the Load Down -- The extra bulk of suitcases or wind-surfing boards
on the roof of your car can make your car less aerodynamic and drastically reduce
your gas mileage. Also, added weight in the trunk can increase gas intake. Try to
pack light and avoid putting items on the roof of the car.
Don't forget to use the cruise control when you're loaded down with gear and people.
This will help you maintain a steady driving speed, cutting down on your gas burned.
Select your vehicle's overdrive gear whenever you're cruising down the highway to
reduce your engine speed.
« Tread Lightly -- If you're driving a camper or some other low-mileage vehicle,
bring along a bicycle or scooter for quick errands to the store or the beach. Leaving
the gas hog in the campground or a parking lot will save you money and fuel for more
fun in the sun.
Don't forget to get out of your vehicle and walk or hike. It's good for your circulation
when you've been riding in a sitting position for long distances. And human-powered
transportation produces no emissions that contribute to air pollution and global
warming.
Make your summer camping or car trip a learning experience for your family by keeping
track of your mileage and fuel used at every fuel stop. Turn it into a math problem
for the kids and a discussion of how to improve the mileage before the next stop.
Experiment with speed and driving technique until you find that sweet spot at the
pump.
The less you spend at the pump, the more you can spend at the water park or buying
organic corn chips for the ride. Happy trails!
Kim Carlson, the EarthSmart Consumer, shares fun and practical ways to live a
more planet friendly and human healthy lifestyle. From natural beauty and green gifts,
to providing eco-makeovers for entire homes, Kim blends responsible consumerism with
her own brand of "eco-chic." Kim regularly promotes EarthSmart tips on
local and national television. She is also a frequent guest on talk radio programs,
and is a contributing editor to several major magazines. For more information please
visit my website at www.earthsmartconsumer.com or for questions, email me
at kim@earthsmartconsumer.com.
Copyright © 2005 Kim Carlson. All rights reserved. |
| July 2005 |
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