Automotive service is definitely a win-win situation. Besides helping the environment, a properly maintained and operated vehicle will run more efficiently, be safer, and last longer, saving you time and money spent for automotive repair, as well as our natural resources.
The following automotive service tips will get you started on the road to being environmentally conscious:
- Keep your engine tuned. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%. Follow the service schedules and replace filters and fluids as recommended in your owner's manual.
- Check your tires for proper inflation. Under-inflation wastes fuel--the engine has to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out of balance or alignment (uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder, too. Properly maintained tires will last longer, meaning fewer scrap tires have to be disposed of.
- Keep your A/C in prime condition. Have it serviced only by a technician certified to handle/recycle refrigerants. Air conditioners contain gases that have been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, almost one third of the gases released into the atmosphere come from vehicle air conditioners; either by leaking, or escaping during an automotive repair.
- Note to DIY'ers: dispose of used motor oil, anti-freeze/coolant, tires, and old batteries properly (not on the ground or in open streams). Many automotive repair facilities accept these items, or call your local government for recycling sites.
- Observe speed limits. Mileage decreases sharply above 55 mph. Use cruise-control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-and-go's.
- Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting. Today's vehicles are designed to "warm up" fast, so those five-minute warm ups on cold winter mornings are not necessary.
- Remove excess items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Reduce drag by storing luggage in the trunk rather than on the roof.
- Consolidate your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. Try to travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions. Join a car pool.
Remember, how your car runs, how you drive it, and how its old parts and fluids are disposed of all have consequences on the environment. Make your mark for good!
Need quality automotive service? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005, or go on-line at www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our automotive repair shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
Automotive service is definitely a win-win situation. Besides helping the environment, a properly maintained and operated vehicle will run more efficiently, be safer, and last longer, saving you time and money spent for automotive repair, as well as our natural resources.
The following automotive service tips will get you started on the road to being environmentally conscious:
- Keep your engine tuned. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%. Follow the service schedules and replace filters and fluids as recommended in your owner's manual.
- Check your tires for proper inflation. Under-inflation wastes fuel--the engine has to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out of balance or alignment (uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder, too. Properly maintained tires will last longer, meaning fewer scrap tires have to be disposed of.
- Keep your A/C in prime condition. Have it serviced only by a technician certified to handle/recycle refrigerants. Air conditioners contain gases that have been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, almost one third of the gases released into the atmosphere come from vehicle air conditioners; either by leaking, or escaping during an automotive repair.
- Note to DIY'ers: dispose of used motor oil, anti-freeze/coolant, tires, and old batteries properly (not on the ground or in open streams). Many automotive repair facilities accept these items, or call your local government for recycling sites.
- Observe speed limits. Mileage decreases sharply above 55 mph. Use cruise-control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-and-go's.
- Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting. Today's vehicles are designed to "warm up" fast, so those five-minute warm ups on cold winter mornings are not necessary.
- Remove excess items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Reduce drag by storing luggage in the trunk rather than on the roof.
- Consolidate your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. Try to travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions. Join a car pool.
Remember, how your car runs, how you drive it, and how its old parts and fluids are disposed of all have consequences on the environment. Make your mark for good!
Need quality automotive service? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005, or go on-line at www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our automotive repair shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
