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Car care for the environment

Cars

Using cars, instead of walking, obviously consumes gasoline, aside from the fact that motor vehicles spew pollution on the air. It also takes up more space in an already congested city and distracts government attention from mass transit systems. Minimizing the use of private cars will shore up the economy, conserve fuel, lessen pollution and traffic and encourage the government to develop public transportation.

But, for those who own cars, here are the important things to do:

· Keep the car in good running condition. Have regular tune-ups and check-ups, such as changing oil, wheel-balancing and spark plug checks.

· Check with the local car dealer for any energy-efficiency and environment-friendly car gadgets to be availed of.

· Lessen the burden that the car has to carry. Take all unnecessary junks out of the trunk.

· Instead of warming up the car in the morning by letting the engine idle, warm it up by driving slowly and gently (as though bottles are balanced on the hood) for the first 15 minutes of the trip. This way, every bit of gasoline consumption will be used in actual travel.

· Use car air conditioner only when needed. Air conditioners increase fuel consumption and make the engine work harder, causing it to produce more pollution.

· Keep the car cooler by parking it in shaded areas or even painting it a lighter color so it won't absorb too much heat.

· Drive at a steady pace. Minimize braking by anticipating changes in speed and taking your foot off the gas as soon as you see a red light or slowed traffic. This lessens gasoline consumption and saves wear-and tear on the engine, brakes and tires.

· If you are going to stop the car for more than a minute, turn the engine off. The gas consumed by one minute of idling is more than that consumed by restarting a car.

· Don't fill the tank to the brim. Even with a gasoline cap on, some fuel can spill out. Leave some space for heat expansion.

· Join or form a car pool with well-planned schedules and practical routes to follow. This is a better way to eliminate unnecessary trips, to save fuel consumption and prolong life service of your car.

Source:

How Green is Your Home? A Filipino Primer on Home Ecology. 1991.

Ideas for Action:

A Technology Information Kit, November 23 - 28, 1992