Now, more than ever, we need to pay attention to how our actions impact the environment. And, for car lovers, we just might find ourselves attracted to an alternative that will probably become mainstream sooner than we think: green cars. I cannot deny it – the good old fuel-run cars are hard to beat when it comes to performance and the fun factor. It is true that the sound that these cars make is part of the whole deal. Who wants a quiet electric car? Right now, you might not feel like saying you do, but I am willing to bet that pretty soon, you might change your mind.

People are taking notice of hybrids and electric cars. From the East to the West, car manufacturers are rolling out their own versions of environment friendly cars, and entities such as Kelley Blue Book are not ignoring the trend. Indeed, Kelley Blue Book recently announced its top 10 list of green cars for this year. Drum roll, please!

1. 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid, 50 m.p.g. combined
2. 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid, 41 m.p.g. combined
3. 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 39 m.p.g. combined
4. 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, 34 m.p.g. combined
5. 2009 Mini Cooper, 32 m.p.g. combined
6. 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, 32 m.p.g. combined
7. 2009 Honda Fit, 31 m.p.g. combined
8. 2009 BMW 335d, 27 m.p.g. combined
9. 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 22 m.p.g. combined
10. 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, 21 m.p.g. combined

That list is in order of fuel efficiency. Other factors included in the rating are: fun factor, safety, carbon dioxide emissions, and comfort.

Written by Marcel on April 27, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Most of us probably take gasoline for granted in the sense that apart from the concern we show over its price, we do not really think about its impact on the environment. Sure, we may have a certain degree of concern over the effect of our exhaust on the air quality; but have you really put any thought of the effect filling up has on the environment?

Yes, the mere act of buying gasoline and putting it in your car may have an effect on your surroundings. The effects may be minute but adding up all those tiny little things can eventually make a considerable change. So here are some things to look at.

Don’t use higher octane fuels unless your car really needs it.
You see, not all cars are meant to perform better just because you use high octane fuels. The truth is that most cars will function with the same efficiency whether you use regular fuel or its higher octane cousins. In these cases, the only difference between high octane fuels and regular fuels is the price; and you will end up on the losing end.

Don’t overfill the gas tank.
You know how you just love to try and get a tad bit more than you pay for at the gas pump? Well don’t. The gasoline will merely spill or evaporate. Either way, you will not gain anything PLUS you may contribute to the pollution of groundwater, as the spilt gas may leak below the ground, and smog formation.

Look for gas stations that have vapor catching nozzles.
Gasoline evaporates quickly and contributes to air pollution. There are gas stations however, which make use of these nifty nozzles which catch the vapor so it does not get released into the atmosphere.

Written by Marcel on July 6, 2009 | 2 Comments

These days are the days of environmental awareness. We really just cannot close our eyes and ears to what is happening to our planet. Otherwise, we might have really bad environmental conditions in the next several years. This is the rationale behind a recent move in Scotland, which encourages motorists to become “green drivers.” While this initiative is in effect in Scotland, I believe that even those of us who are based in other parts of the world can benefit from following their program.

BBC has a report on this:

The Energy Saving Trust said “greener” driving habits could save motorists in Glasgow £24.5m a year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 64,000 tonnes.

It will bring a driving simulator to Braehead Shopping Centre later to demonstrate eco-friendly techniques. Advisers will also visit Cumbernauld Shopping Centre.

The campaign offers four key pieces of advice for motorists:

• Shift to as high a gear as possible
• Anticipate road conditions and drive more smoothly
• Maintain a steady speed in as high a gear as possible
• Drive a little slower than your normal speed

Look at those key pieces of advice. If you think about it, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that these tips would help you save fuel, and contribute to the conservation of the environment as well. I suppose it is a matter of initiative and motivation. This, we cannot force. We have to find it in ourselves and do it of our own accord.

Photo courtesy of j_avonni

Written by Marcel on April 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Just in case you have not noticed yet, the weather has been totally crazy this year. It has been going bonkers for quite some time now, but this year, weirdness of the weather has gone up to a whole new level. While your driving habits aren’t the only reason for the degradation of the environment, you know very well that your own little contribution can add up to the little contribution of others to make a huge impact on the planet. Here are some green driving tips that you can follow.

Buy fuel efficient tires.
Fuel efficient tires? Do those things really exist? Yes they do, but do they actually help save fuel? The good news is that there are tires that do help in saving fuel. One manufacturer, Firestone, has created a range of tires that are aimed to do exactly that. Just ask your local tire store for the details. If it is time for you to change tires, why not go for the ones that will save you money and help the environment in the long run?

Buy green batteries.
It should be pretty obvious that I am not talking about batteries that are color green. There are many chemicals found in the conventional batteries that are harmful to the environment. The good news is that there are batteries that are eco-friendly. Take a look at your options and go for the green ones.

Buy eco-friendly car polish.
If there is one thing that turns me off, it is a dirty car. A lot of people think the same way, and they go to great lengths to keep their cars clean and shiny. But car polish products can be harmful to the environment. Why not look for products that are safe in this regard?

Remember, every little bit goes a long long way.

Written by Marcel on April 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment