Steps You Can Take To Reduce Harmful Emissions from Your Car

A car is a necessary form of transportation for many people. Cars also produce harmful emissions that damage the atmosphere and reduce local air quality. Although emissions cannot be eliminated completely, they can be reduced. You will want to know about a few steps that you can take to reduce your car’s carbon emissions.

Choose the Right Vehicle
The first step is to choose the right vehicle. If you are going to buy a new car, then look for a vehicle that runs on electricity or that has a hybrid engine. Electric cars produce very few emissions. They are a good choice if you do not have to drive long distances every day or if you live in a city. Hybrid cars switch between electric and gas when appropriate. They can dramatically cut down on harmful emissions.

Regular Maintenance and Inspections
You want to take your vehicle in for car inspections on a regular basis. You should consider scheduling an inspection two to three times a year or once each season. A vehicle inspection can detect problems that are causing your car to work inefficiently. The technicians can perform maintenance at this time to repair small problems and prevent larger issues. The result will be a car that burns less fuel and that emits less carbon into the atmosphere.

Find Ways to Drive Less
One of the best ways to lower carbon emissions is to find ways to drive less. You could organize a car pool to get to work in the morning. You could park farther away from stores and buildings to lower emissions by a small amount every day. Try walking to nearby stores or parks instead of driving a short distance. You might be able to start taking green public transportation instead of driving.

Use the Air Conditioner Less
The refrigerant required to create cool air when you run the air conditioner is very harmful to the atmosphere. The emissions from the car will increase noticeably while you are running the air conditioner. Open the car windows instead while driving. Park your car in shady spots to keep the interior cool. Consider installing a solar-powered fan on your dashboard so that you do not need the air conditioner as much.

Schedule Repairs As Soon As You See Problems
Never allow problem with your car to go unaddressed. If you start to notice performance issues, strange sounds or unusual burning odors, then schedule a vehicle inspection right away. Even a very minor problem could increase emissions every year. Car inspections will detect the source of the problem. The automotive technicians can then make repairs so that emissions do not spike suddenly. This will also improve your fuel efficiency.

Drive Using Green Techniques
A final tip is to use green driving techniques. Keep your car as empty as possible to reduce the weight. Keep the outside clean so that there is less resistance while driving. Always follow the speed limit. Do not brake and accelerate suddenly at traffic lights or intersections. All of these techniques will improve fuel efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.