“Green”ify Your Car Maitenance
Eco friendly vehicles popularity has grown exponentially in recent years. Today there are countless options of hybrid and high fuel efficient vehicles available to consumers. The government is even jumping on board and offering great incentives to encourage the public to “Green” their transportation. While this is a huge step in the right direction, we have found even more ways to make your vehicle as environmentally friendly as possible. Below I have listed 5 additional opportunities to be earth conscience.
1. Recycle your used tires. Used tires can often times be re-treaded, restoring them to good, safe, usable tires. Retreaded tire are also more cost effective and can even last longer than brand new ones. In instances where a tire is too damaged or worn to be retreaded it can be recycled into new rubber products rather than just taking up space in a landfill. Many tire retailers offer retreaded tires for purchase so next time you go to purchase request re-treaded.
2. Next time you change your vehicle’s oil use re-refined oil. Re-refined oil is previously used oil that has been filtered and cleaned of additives and impurities. Re-refined oil is just as good as new and meets standard industry specs for performance. When it comes to discarding of your used oil, send it back to manufacturers who re-refine oil.
Such manufacturers include:
Chevron ECO
Evergreen Motor Oil
Safety-Kleen. America’s Choice
Lyondell Enviroil
3. Like oil, engine coolant can also be recycled. Recycled coolant helps to reduce the amount of chemicals released into the environment. When it come to purchasing recycled coolant keep this in mind propylene glycol (PG) is much better than ethylene glycol. (A helpful reminder for this is to think PG = pro green). PG is significantly less toxic to pets and wildlife that of like the sweet taste of ethylene glycol that leaks out onto driveway and roads. So next time you are in need of engine coolant remember recycled propylene glycol.
Good examples of coolants:
Fleetguard Complete
Sta-Clean Products Inc. Antifreeze
Safebrands Sierra and Sierra Fleet
4. Recycle your vehicle parts. Many auto parts have the ability to be re-manufactured for reuse. Makers re-manufacture these parts (i.e. starters, alternators, water pumps etc) and retail them to the public. If the parts are not eligible re-manufacturing recycle them to a scrap yard.
Company known for it re-manufacturing:
Delco
5. Choose environmentally conscience cleansers when cleaning your vehicle. We all like to drive a clean car but be sure the products you are buying and using to clean your vehicle are environmentally friendly. Good clues to look for on the labeling are words like, non-toxic, biodegradable, phosphorus free, aqueous based etc.