You want to drive green. You’d love to drive a car powered by completely clean fuel, with no waste products to foul the environment or threaten your health.
Well, we’re not there yet. But, there are some obvious and not-so-obvious things you can do to drive in a greener direction. Before you buy your next car, consider the following options.
The Not-so-Obvious Options (source: Edmunds.com):
1. Go Lean with Engines and Options
Engine and transmission choice can make a big difference, even within the same vehicle family.
Curb weight also makes a difference. Options like four-wheel drive and third-row seats add weight to your vehicle and increase fuel consumption. Skip these, if you don't really need them.
2. Shut Off Some Cylinders
To improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, some automakers have created systems that deactivate half an engine's cylinders during certain driving conditions. Chrysler introduced the second generation of its Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on the 2009 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which can improve fuel economy by up to 20 percent on models such as the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Challenger R/T.
If you're shopping for a Honda Odyssey, consider getting either the EX-L or the Touring model. These trim levels have the same size V6 as the lower trims but with Honda's second-generation Variable Cylinder Management, which improves the van's EPA ratings from 16/23 mpg to 17/25.
3. Consider the Car’s Components and Content
Many automakers are using green materials, including recycled components and parts made from plants. Volvo goes especially far to ensure that its interiors are environmentally friendly (and good for allergy sufferers) by minimizing the amount of nickel released from surface treatments and by using environmentally certified fabrics and chromium-free leather.
4. Compare Car Manufacturers’ Factories
Some automakers have made huge strides in greening up their manufacturing facilities — and you can reward them for their efforts. Subaru has received accolades for its "green" manufacturing facility in Indiana, and Honda has committed to achieve and maintain ISO 14001 certification for environmental management at all of its North American plants. These are the toughest international standards, and cover such factors as waste disposal, water treatment and energy use.
Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant at the Rouge Center in Michigan has the world's largest living roof, with 10.4 acres of drought-resistant plants busy absorbing CO2. The factory also has the world's largest porous parking lot, which is part of a water clean-up system. Its fumes-to-fuel program captures paint fumes and converts them to hydrogen to power a stationary fuel cell at Dearborn and at two other U.S. manufacturing facilities.
5. Pick a Green Award Winner
Quite a few groups give green awards. For example, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rates vehicles according to the health problems caused by the pollutants they emit (including greenhouse gases), and it factors in estimated pollution from vehicle manufacturing and the production and distribution of fuel. Diesels have been beating out hybrids for some of these awards recently, including Green Car Journal's 2010 Green Car of the Year award, which went to the Audi A3TDI.
Here’s a list of the more obvious choices you can make to drive greener:
1. Drive a Hybrid or a Clean Diesel
You can lower your fuel bill and reduce emissions with hybrids such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Prius, which can run in electric-only mode when you're puttering along in rush-hour traffic. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the front-drive 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, while the 2010 Prius is rated at 51/48 mpg.
The introduction of new technology, meanwhile, has allowed diesel-fueled cars to be just as clean at the tailpipe as regular cars while also getting better fuel mileage. Volkswagen's 2010 Jetta TDI has a 30/41 mpg EPA rating.
2. Pay Attention to Fuel Consumption
To learn more about improving your fuel economy, check out Edmunds.com Fuel Economy Center.
http://www.edmunds.com/fueleconomy/index.html
3. Emit Less Pollution
Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Vehicle Guide to see air pollution scores for any vehicle. The listing is searchable by state, so you know the vehicles sold in your state will perform as indicated.
4. Buy A Smaller Size Car
Buying a small car is the best way to reduce your car's environmental impact. The Honda Fit, for instance, is incredibly roomy and versatile on the inside despite its small overall size. It's also one of the most fuel-efficient small cars you can buy, with an EPA rating of 28/35 mpg for a 2010 model. Other top small but enjoyable-to-drive cars include the Hyundai Elantra and Ford's Fiesta.
5. Monitor Your Tires
Underinflated tires result in increased tire wear as well as reduced fuel economy. Plus, they adversely affect handling, increase stopping distances and increase the chance of tire failure. You also can choose tires for your vehicle that provide better fuel economy. Goodyear's Assurance Fuel Max tire provides 27 percent less rolling resistance than a standard Goodyear Assurance tire, equating to 4 percent better fuel economy.
6. Choose a Better Route
Real-time traffic reports tied into a GPS-based navigation system make it easy to find less congested routes. By avoiding stop-and-go traffic, you improve your fuel economy. Many vehicles with factory-installed navigation systems include real-time traffic information, and similar capabilities also are available from aftermarket companies.
For more information, visit:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/146306/article.html
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