Besides changing the oil every 3,000 miles or so, there are a few things you can do to ensure your (non-hybrid, non-electric) car runs optimally. By consuming less gas, you will not only save money but also reduce the harmful environmental impact gas emissions have. Keep these tips in mind next time you are about to start your car.

2. A/C: it does increase your gas consumption, by 5% to 10%, so use it only when truly necessary. When you do, make sure to not exceed a 12 degree difference between the inside and outside temperatures. In other words, if it is 100° outside, the temperature inside your car should be no lower than 88°. And if it is no hotter than 75°, just turn on the ventilation to create a cooling effect, especially when driving at high speed. Rolling your windows down on the highway will decrease the aerodynamic performances of your car (air friction) and will force it to increase its gas consumption to maintain the speed.

3. Lighten up your car load: a heavier charge in your car (bikes, water bottles, etc) causes it to consume more gas and also wears down your tires. 220 pounds of an unnecessary load will have your car use 5% more gas.

4. At the gas station: drive away to another gas station if you see a gas truck filling up the reservoirs. During fill-up, dirt particles are moved around in the underground tanks and will likely enter your own gas tank when you fill up. They will in turn dirty your engine and cause it to overwork, i.e. use more gas.

5. Stop and start: even if you don’t have a Toyota Prius or a Honda Civic Hybrid, you can implement your own stop and start system. If you know you are going to be at a stop for longer than 30 seconds, just turn off the engine. Stopping and re-starting your car will use less gas than letting your engine run.

Happy green driving!