Simple Steps to Take to Cut Your Car's Carbon Emissions

Reducing carbon emissions into the earth's atmosphere should be everyone's responsibility. The greenhouse effect or global warming, will continue to worsen as long as we keep pumping carbon dioxide into the air. Each of us can do our part to help out by following some easy steps with our cars such as the following:

Regular tune-up. First of all, we need to make sure the cars we drive are properly tuned up. When a car is run past its recommended tune up mileage, the gas doesn't burn well in the compression cylinders of an engine. Having your car serviced with new spark plugs and wires, a new breather filter and a new oil filter will make the car run better and cut back on emissions. You can also keep your tires properly inflated to the recommended tire pressure.

Change your driving style. You can also reduce carbon emissions by changing your driving styles. You could save more than a ton of emissions per year by accelerating smoothly and slowly, driving the speed limit, maintaining a steady speed and anticipating your starts and stops.

Buy a car with high MPG. When considering buying a new car, buy one that has a high MPG (miles per gallon) rating. There are cars made now that get upwards of 41 MPG and some of the new hybrid cars get more than that. Look for engines that cut back on cylinders when the car reaches cruising speed. And if you're a two car family, use the car that gets the best gas mileage to run errands around town.

Plan your trip. You can also cut down on emissions by taking your daily routine into consideration. One of the biggest things you can do is to combine trips for running errands. Before you leave the house, plan your day around one trip, if possible.

Carpool. Another good suggestion is carpooling. Many interstate exits have areas to park your car and ride to work with someone that works with you or close to where you work. Putting an add in the paper will usually find someone that wants to save some gas money and carpool. Not only will you save money on gas, you'll cut down on Co2 emissions. You can also check out the mass transit systems in your area and see if buses and trains would be a better way to commute to work. You'll smile all the way to the office when sitting comfortably on a train while the highway is backed up bumper to bumper.

Exercise. If it's just a short trip you need to make, why not consider walking or riding a bike? You'll be doing the Earth a favor and your health some good as well. Before you start out on a trip in the car, ask yourself if you really need to go at all. It could be that the trip you're going to make now could be combined with one you'll have to do tomorrow.

Telecommute. And finally, check into telecommuting. Many employers are more than happy to allow an employee to work at home if the work can be done there. If your productivity is as good at home as it is at work, the boss might even ask you to stay at home to work.

None of the above suggestions really looks all that difficult. Most of it is common sense. But, it's surprising how many people will overlook the couple of things that will save our planet. And if any of the above mentioned seems difficult, think about how hard it's going to be to refreeze the polar ice caps.

*How To Save Money On Gas-29 Tips, OpenTravelInfo.com