The Car and the Environment (Overview)

Most of us know that cars are the number one cause of air pollution, but most of us never do anything about it until someone makes us. This usually happens because of a law. We buy gas that causes less harmful emissions, because that's what's for sale now. Scientists tell us that if we don't do something soon, we will be unable to repair the damage that we are causing to our planet. What are some of the things we can do to help? 1. Buy a fuel-efficient car and keep it that way Good gas mileage isn't just a way to save money. It's also a way to stop pollution. Since the world just isn't set up for you to start riding a bike everywhere, you're probably going to be using a car. Choose a car that is friendly to the environment when you purchase one. Use the most recent EPA gas Mileage Guide to check fuel-efficiency, and don't get any optional equipment that wastes fuel that you don't need. 2. Keep your car tuned up A car that is badly tuned releases more pollutants into the air. If you keep track of your gas mileage, you'll know when something is wrong and can have it fixed. A badly tuned car uses almost 10%% more gas than a well-tuned car. Other ways to waste gas are: Idling your car unnecessarily: If you are stopped for longer than a minute, it is more fuel efficient to turn off your engine. Using dirty fuel filters. Dirty fuel filters waste gas. Carrying unnecessary weight in your car. The heavier your car is, the more gas it uses.