Automobiles

Green Your Automobile

  • Combine Trips - Combining multiple errands reduces driving costs, saves you time, and reduces vehicle emissions. Plan ahead and save.
  • Adopt a Vehicle Anti-Idling Policy - Vehicle idling gets zero miles per gallon, thereby wasting fuel and creating unnecessary pollution. Running an engine at low speed (idling) also causes twice the wear on internal parts compared to driving at regular speeds. If you anticipate being idle for more than 30 seconds, then it is more fuel efficient to turn the car off than to let it idle. When it is safe to do so, turn your ignition off to prevent excessive idling.
  • Increase Your Vehicle's Gas Mileage – Visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt064.shtm and http://www.fueleconomy.gov for fuel saving tips for any car.
  • Wash Car On Lawn – Regular car wash soaps will not harm the lawn and will keep it greener with the extra water. The goal here is to avoid having the runoff go into the street storm sewers because the soaps act as a fertilizer and contribute to the Lake Erie water quality issues.
  • Participate in a carpool - Visit http://ohiorideshare.com/ to find potential carpool partners.
  • Reduce Commuting - Ask your employer if you can telecommute or work a shortened work week with longer daily hours.