Save Money with Eco-Friendly Driving

Owning and operating a car can be costly to your wallet and to the environment. Use these four tips to drive more efficiently and save some cash.

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/statefarm/

Recycle Junk Cars

At a certain point, cars become more expensive to maintain than they are worth. These cars also typically emit far more smog and harmful emissions than newer models.

Once a car has reached its end, whether because of old age or an accident, be sure to recycle your car. Not only can recycling your car make you quick cash for your old car, it’s also environmentally friendly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, reusing recycled scrap metal requires 74% less energy than producing new steel.

Keep Tires Inflated

Keeping your tires inflated is one of the easiest ways to improve your fuel economy—nearly every gas station has an air station. Research shows that maintaining the proper pressure can lead to a 3.3% improvement in fuel economy, a savings of 11 cents per gallon.

Additionally, well-inflated tires keep you safer on the road by improving stop times and reducing the risk of high-speed tire blowout.

Source: fueleconomy.gov

Drive Responsibly

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/statefarm/

Slamming on the brakes and accelerating quickly can cost you at the gas station. Driving aggressively can reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 33%. Thankfully, many newer cars have tools to gauge your driving efficiency, helping you learn to use less gas and stay safer on the road.

Carpool When Possible

Consider joining a carpool for your daily commute. Carpooling has many financial and eco-friendly benefits, including drastically reducing your gas bill and contributing to less congested roads and freeways. Additionally, you can cut down on time by using the carpool lane.

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/drdul/

To find a carpool near you, you can use a variety of local and national carpool matching sites, or alternatively post flyers in local community spaces.