(NAPSI)— “Green driving” may be easier—and more important—to achieve than many people think.

It’s important because, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, highway vehicles account for 28 percent (1.5 billion tons) of U.S. CO2 emissions each year. Fortunately, even if getting a “green” or emissions-friendly vehicle isn’t in your budget, you can still reduce your car’s footprint on the planet. Here are some tips to consider:

• Stay tuned. Keep your car in shape by following the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance. Fixing a vehicle in need of a tune-up can improve gas mileage up to 4 percent.

• Take care of your tires. Make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Keeping your tires aligned and balanced can also improve your vehicle’s fuel economy up to 3 percent. Don’t inflate your tires to the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall. Properly inflated tires are safer and will last longer.

• Replace a clogged air filter. If you have an older vehicle with a carbureted engine, replacing a clogged air filter can improve your fuel economy up to 6 percent. Air filters keep impurities from damaging the interior of the engine, so replacing the dirty filter will save gas and protect your engine.

• Upgrade your motor oil. Try high-performance synthetic oil. Premium automotive products such as Royal Purple synthetic oils are formulated with unique advanced additive technology that can improve the performance of the vehicle and allow for longer intervals between changes. With fewer oil changes, not only are you keeping the water and ground clean by reducing waste of used oil, you’re saving money by spending less time in the shop. Royal Purple motor oil has been reported to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 5 percent compared to ordinary petroleum-based or synthetic lubricants. It’s also been shown to produce notable horsepower and torque increases, so you can switch to an environmentally friendly product without sacrificing performance.

• Recycle. Ask your oil change installer about recycling used oil. If you do your own oil changes, find a place that will accept your used motor oil. Royal Purple has partnered with Earth911 to provide recycling centers that take items such as used motor oil bottles, motor oil and oil filters.

Learn more at www.fueleconomy.gov and www.royalpurple.com. To find a nearby recycling location, visit www.earth911.com.

 

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