Top Environmentally Friendly Car Maintenance Products

Car maintenance can be dirty, expensive, and extremely unhealthy for the environment. The products often used for auto repair and preservation are usually quite toxic. However, there are some great tips and options available for "green" car products and auto maintenance methods. Try out these top sustainable tips and products for your car today!

Oil Changes
Remember when you got your first car and your parents told you to change the oil every 3000 miles if you wanted the car to last? Well, for many modern cars, those mileage numbers are obsolete. Many current-generation cars are better designed and manufactured, handling oil better and the oils used for cars today are no longer just single-grade or non-detergent types. Oil doesn't "break" down, rather, it accumulates dust, dirt and other nasty particles that lowers its usefulness as a car engine lubricant. However, this process takes longer for many modern cars than it used to and you probably don't have to change your car engine oil as often as for older vehicles. Some manufactures are recommending changing the oil every 5000 or even 10000 miles, a far cry from the 3000 mile oil changes of yesterday. Used car engine oil generates a lot of waste and avoiding unnecessary engine oil changes is a great way to "green" your vehicle maintenance.

Radiator Fluids (antifreeze and coolant)
Go green with propylene glycol based radiator car fluids, instead of the traditional ethylene glycol car fluids. The names are similar because they are both closely-related chemical compounds, the propylene just has more carbon molecules than the ethylene. The propylene glycol fluids are more sustainable as they are more biodegradable and pose less of a risk to animals. Sure, your radiator fluid and coolant may look green, but make sure it truly is green-switch to propylene glycol today!

Car Wash
Most car washes facilities in the United States are required to dispose of their liquids in a special manner, unlike the home car washes or youth fundraiser car washes, where the water just goes everywhere. This toxic mix of soap, water, car wax and more is really harmful to the environment. Also, car wash facilities often use less water than home car washing, as they are able to specially control it through their high-powered hoses. Thus, try to avoid washing your car at home. However, if you simply must wash it at home, try to use the most eco friendly products, such as biodegradable soap, and the least amount of water possible. One great product is Ecolo Green Car Wash products, available at http://ecologreencarwash.com/ . It's a great way to save water and save the environment at the same time!