Car Buying Tips

Article Navigation

Click Here for more articles

Drive slower, save the planet!

by: Sophie Evans

Site: Hoot
Article
Release details: Immediate
Date: 23 September 2005

Drive slower, save the planet!

The environment is a hot issue that we just can�t afford to ignore any longer. To some, being environmentally aware is a way of life, a necessary and fundamental aspect of existence. To others being �green� is something to aspire to, a lifestyle that with a bit of guidance could be achievable.

Young people have been brought up in a culture of ecological revelations, such as the depletion of the ozone layer and melting polar ice caps. We all know that these things are still happening yet we�ve still got a long way to go before the impacts of modern society on our planet are decelerated. Our parents weren�t particularly clued up about the effect that peoples� actions have on their environment and recycling was certainly never an option in many houses in the 80s and 90s. However, these days we do have the resources and the knowledge to make little changes that can improve the planet for the better. If we can slow down on the road then we might be able to slow down climate change.

High levels of Co2 emissions are one of the biggest influencers of climate change and environmental damage. Exhaust emissions contain a myriad of chemicals which clog up the atmosphere and cause long term damage to our surroundings. Aviation contributes to a large proportion of the damage. Each jet requires hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel to get to its destination. Short of getting to your holiday resort by rail, a bit tricky if you�re off to the Maldives, there is little that you or I can do about aviation emissions. However, drivers can make a massive difference to the environment by taking a few steps to reduce their emissions and help reduce harmful pollution.

You can reduce the amount of fuel you use by up to 25% by changing some of your habits. Driving is expensive, with the cost of car insurance, road tax and fuel to consider. It�s not difficult to alter your lifestyle; we owe it to our future offspring and more importantly right now, we owe it to our pockets! Whilst we may not live long enough to see the benefit to the environment we can feel the immediate benefit to our pockets.

By being slightly more conscientious drivers we can all make a huge difference. Follow these tips from www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk and you�ll soon help protect the planet and feel the immediate payback in your pocket.

� Keep a steady speed when driving; by reducing the use of your pedals you reduce the use of fuel.

� Anticipate conditions, and accelerate and decelerate efficiently. This is safer and uses less fuel. It is also proven that you won�t get to your destination faster by speeding. According to Earteasy.com the most fuel-efficient speed for your car is roughly 55 mph, or 90 km/h. Increasing your speed from 55 mph to 75 mph boosts your fuel consumption a stunning 20 percent!

� If you are in traffic or caught behind railway gates, then turn off your engine. Idling uses up a great deal of fuel especially when some train gates stay down for as long as ten minutes.

� Keep your tyres pumped up to the correct level. This will save you up to 4% fuel.

� Maintain your car and change the air filter as recommended by the manufacturers� guidelines.

� If at all possible, car share to work, this will save you money and give you a clear conscience! Some companies arrange car share schemes as do some local councils. See www.nationalcarshare.co.uk and www.liftshare.co.uk for more information.

� Walk to work if you live nearby. Not only will this keep you fit but you�ll also save fuel and money.

� Buy a car with a small engine. This will not only cut emissions but also means really cheap car insurance, cheaper tax and manoeuvrability in busy towns. Driving a 4x4 means 50% less fuel efficiency, so unless you are a farmer and regularly go off road, there really is no need to drive a gas guzzling vehicle in urban areas. By the way spray on mud is a dead giveaway!

So, we can all cut our costs and save the planet at the same time by making a few changes to the way we drive, but what about the future of fuel? Surely driving more slowly can�t be the only solution?

The future of travel

There are some innovative new energy solutions, new engine designs and hybrid car concepts which are set to take off in the years to come.

Hybrid cars are vehicles that have an ordinary combustion engine combined with another energy source such as batteries or electricity. The alternative energy source takes over from the engine when it is inefficient, such as during long slow drives. These hybrids are extremely efficient and half as polluting as normal cars with petrol engines. The good news is you don�t even have to change your beloved car because it can be converted as long as it�s less than six years old. This can be costly but long term it could save you money. There are also several government schemes running that can help you to convert your car. Some manufacturers have already caught onto the benefits of hybrid vehicles. For examples of hybrids look at the Toyota Prius, the Ford Escape and the Honda Accord to name but a few.

Electric cars may be the way ahead for city dwellers. With no emissions and using a quarter of the energy consumption of a similar sized petrol car they may revolutionise driving in the longer term. Although the cars currently on the market only drive at a maximum of 40 mph, they are exempt from tax, some congestion charges and great news for young people� they are in the lowest car insurance group. After the initial outlay of around �8,000 the car is cheap to run and extremely eco-friendly.

The future of fuel

Sulphur free fuel: We can expect to be able to buy this by 2008, in fact this will become compulsory by that date.

Biodiesel: This is a blend of 95% low sulphur diesel and 5% rapeseed oil. This reduces CO2 emissions by as much as 5% and can be used in an engine that hasn�t been converted to this type of fuel.

Bioethanol: Although this could take years to become widely available it produces less air pollutants and is renewable. It is made through the distillation of wheat, sugar or biomass. It can be used blended in unmodified engines or straight in modified engines.

The future of our environment is in our hands. If you can�t afford to buy a hybrid car or convert your engine, you can certainly make a start on your eco friendly lifestyle by following the driving tips above. It�s not too late to decelerate the impact of our polluting behaviour by decelerating our driving. It really is worth it for the future of the planet and for the health of our bank balances.

-ENDS-

Editorial notes: www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk is an online car insurance provider which offers massive savings on existing premiums and gives the customers quick quotes and the ease of buying online. Hoot provides car insurance for young people only.

For more information contact Sophie Evans �
www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk
Online car insurance provider.

About the author:
For more information contact Sophie Evans �

Online car insurance provider.

Circulated by Article Emporium

Read Articles:

How to Find Parts to Customize Your M...
5 Steps To Buying Your Car
A Rookies Guide to Car Rentals
5 Tips to Buying the Perfect Seat Cover
How to Start Your Search for the Perf...
To Lease Or Not To Lease?
18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car
How to reduce fuel consumption amidst...
Things to look for when buying a car ...
Things to look for when buying car st...
Mountain Dirt Bikes
Employee Pricing from Auto Manufactur...
What You Should Never Do When You Buy...
4 Tips To Saving A Bundle At Your Nex...
Auto Coverage In Alabama
Steel tariffs are needed to be lowere...
Buying A Used Car - The Wise Way!
The Secret to Saving 14% at the Gas P...
Prepare Your Ford Escape For a Summer...
Choose the best boat or yacht at our ...
Should you keep your old car or buy a...

More Article Pages 1 - 2

Used Car Buying Tips
by: Steve Gillman

Some of these used car buying tips won't be new to you. Often the trick is just to apply what you already know. On the other hand, when it comes to expensive areas of life like buying a car, one new thing learned can save you hundreds of dollars. Try some of the following.

1. Make a low offer. Okay, you knew this one. A trick you may not have used, though, is to make a low offer, and then leave your phone number with the seller. Time has a way of making sellers desperate, especially after you just helped convince them that they are asking too much.

2. Be careful with car price guides. Use the "blue book" etc, but try not to pay more than wholesale. I can't think of many times when people I know have paid more than "bluebook," so these "average" sales prices are doubtful.

3. Talk to people. This is one of the simplest and effective used car buying tips. Just let friends, family and others know you're looking for a car. Quite often people would be happy to avoid the whole process of advertising and showing their car if they could just get rid of it by giving a good deal to a friend.

4. Check out the engine. Have a mechanic look at the car, and tell you what it's likely to need in the next year or so. Then make a list, so the seller can see in writing why you are offering less than he wants.

5. Auctions. See if there is a public auction in your area. If not, maybe you can go with a dealer friend and give him a $100 to buy a car for you.

6. www.carfax.com. It's around $25 to run vehicle background checks for a month - long enough to find your next car. They'll show the chain of title, accident reports for the car, and even safety and reliability scores for that model.

7. "Ugly" cars. Watch for cars that sit on the lot for months. Dealers will often sell these "ugly ducklings" at a loss just to move them. Again, you may want to leave your phone number with a low offer.

8. Rental company cars. They are sold fairly cheap when they get the new ones in. Buy at bluebook wholesale or less, because they have had many different drivers, so they've more wear than normal.

9. Repos. Credit unions and some small banks do their own selling of repossessed cars. You usually bid on paper, maybe with a $50 deposit, and then get your $50 back if you're not the winning bidder. If they don't sell their own repossessions, ask where they are sold.

10. Consider gas mileage. High mileage may be better, but maybe a car that costs $500 less will use only $400 more gas in the two years you expect to own it. Do the math.

Use the tips here the next time you are shopping for a used car. Meanwhile, why not learn a few negotiating strategies. This helps in many areas of life, and is the most important of these used car buying tips.

About The Author

Steve Gillman has been hunting down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for years. Learn more and get a free gift at: http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com

This Static Spot is open for sponsor

This Static Spot is open for sponsor