Most of us use transportation in our daily lives. Whether it’s for getting to work, going to school, grocery shopping, or a trip to the doctor, we all need a means of getting around. For the average person, transportation is the highest source of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. Here are some tips to save gas and get you started going green.

Drive The Speed Limit

With most vehicles, increasing your speed from 50 mph to 60 mph will increase gas consumption by about 20%. Speeding also reduces the life of your tires, so you will save more there too. So why not change your driving habits to save gas, money, and the environment?

Walk or Bike More

It takes some practice to change the habit of using our vehicles, but think before you head out. Can you walk or bike instead? It's a great way to save gas. It will not only prevent creating greenhouse gasses but it is also good for your health. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Give Up Your Second Vehicle

Years ago, it was uncommon to have two or more vehicles per household. In some cities, it is uncommon to only have one vehicle, but you will save gas if you can embrace it. If you combine the cost of licensing, insuring, maintaining, and buying gasoline, it costs thousands of dollars per year to run a vehicle. By eliminating your second vehicle, you will save gas, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint and start going green.

Trade SUV for A Fuel Efficient Car

In the late 1990’s, SUVs started to become a status symbol. Today, people are beginning to see them as luxury that pollutes. SUV’s require large engines due to their weight and are designed for pulling heavy loads. In most cases, people use them as passenger vehicles. If you replace the average SUV with a mid-size Hybrid vehicle such as a Toyota Prius, you would make great strides to save gas (by approximately 70%). If you look at 100% electric cars, you can not only eliminate emissions, but save gas, oil, and maintenance costs too. If you have a few trips a year when you need a larger vehicle, consider renting one. It's also important to understand that mild hybrid cars are less fuel efficient than full hybrid cars. Check out the fuel economy guide at www.fueleconomy.gov.

Don’t Fly

Flying is the single-worst action you can take to contribute greenhouse gasses to the global warming problem. Flying requires a significant amount of fuel for each trip, especially during take off. If for example you must fly as you are the maid of honour for your best friend’s wedding overseas, then purchase a carbon offset to reduce your impact on the environment. Eliminating flying is an important step in going green.

Use Public Transportation

Making use of public transportation is a great way to save gas and go green. The reason this tip is good for the environment is that one city bus filled with passengers can take 40 vehicles off the road and keep about 50 tons of greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere each year. This tip will also give you back hundreds of dollars... save gas and maintenance costs.

Carpool

Carpooling is a very effective way to reduce greenhouse gasses, save gas, and go green. The challenge is finding someone who you commute with and know you are safe. Some companies have begun participating in carpooling websites so you can find someone at your work to commute with. Ask your company to get involved and start a car pooling initiative. If you can find someone to commute with, you not only reduce your commuting cost by 50%, but you also prevent more carbon dioxide from causing global warming. In some cities, there are even special highway lanes for vehicles with more than one person (typically referred to as High Occupancy Vehicle – HOV lanes).

Make Fewer Trips

Can you group errands into one trip instead of several trips? This is one of the easiest tips to save gas. Another one that is being used by courier companies is to run your errands in clockwise order to avoid left hand turns that typically require more idling while waiting to turn at an intersection. These are some green tips you can do to lighten your carbon footprint and make it a habit to go green.

Buy Only What You Need

Tire size, engine size, vehicle weight, all-wheel drive, and influence the amount of fuel your vehicle uses. Even power windows and power seats add weight to a car, making engines work harder and burn more fuel. So when your shopping for a new car, focus on what you need because passing on the rest will save gas, reduce your carbon footprint, and help you in going green.

Check Your Tires Monthly

The average vehicle has at least one tire that is over or under-inflated. This causes your vehicle to work harder, using more fuel. Save gas by checking your tire pressure monthly and it will also save you more in tire replacement costs.

Maintain Your Vehicle

A poorly maintained engine can use up to 50% more gas and produce 50% more carbon dioxide than one that runs properly. This is a great green tip that will save you money on gas.

Walking School Bus

Dropping off children at school not only cause unsafe traffic congestion, but also creates greenhouse gasses from vehicles that idle. There have been a number of schools that have established "Walking school buses" that are supervised walks to school. An adult walks a specific route to school and the children join in the walking group. It’s simple form of green transportation and an active way for our children to get to school. Establish one at your school and show our children how to go green.

Turn Off the Air Conditioner

The air conditioner in vehicles requires additional energy from the engine. This means greater fuel usage. On those days when it’s not too hot out, go green by turning on off the air conditioner to save gas, money, and greenhouse gasses.

As you can see these tips to save gas are great ways to help the environment.

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