Proper Maintenance for Green Driving

There are many tips for eco-friendly driving while behind the wheel such as avoiding excessive breaking, opening the windows instead of using the air conditioning while driving at low speeds, and using cruise control to maintain a constant speed. However, do you know the best way to improve your driving while the vehicle is not in motion? Proper maintenance of your vehicle is one of the best ways to help reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption.

The following maintenance tips should help reduce your CO2 and increase MPG:*

• Schedule regular tune-ups to have wheels aligned and tires rotated, check for worn spark plugs or low transmission fluid, and replace the air filter if needed. A tune-up increases fuel economy for your vehicle, and recommended schedules are listed in the owner’s manual guidelines.
• Changing your oil on your vehicle’s recommended schedule will help increase fuel economy and make your vehicle perform better. As a bonus, choosing a vendor who recycles used oil is also environmentally friendly.
• Keep tires properly inflated. This information is located inside the door frame or in your owner’s manual. Poorly inflated tires decrease your fuel economy; for every three pounds below the recommended pressure, fuel economy is reduced by about 1%¹.
• If possible, replace tires with low-rolling resistance tires which are designed to improve fuel economy. The use of low-rolling resistance tires could save 1.5-4.5% of all gasoline consumption².
• Take your vehicle in for service if a warning light comes on.  An improperly functioning vehicle part can reduce fuel economy and create unnecessary wear on the vehicle.
• Refuel your vehicle with regular gasoline unless your owner’s manual says otherwise. Do not top off your gas tank beyond where the automatic nozzle clicks off to avoid any gas spills.

By following these simple maintenance procedures, you can positively impact your emissions output and fuel consumption. There are many other simple changes you can make to be eco-friendly such as parking in the shade during the summer whenever possible or using windshield shades to reduce summer heat and winter frost, but just a few changes to your behavior and maintenance routines could make a significant impact.

* These are suggested ways to help reduce CO2 emissions and increase MPG. Always stay in compliance with your company’s set maintenance parameters as they have been determined to be the most beneficial for your organization.

¹ Green Driving Tips”. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. www.greencars.org/driving tips.htm

² California State Fuel-Efficient Tire Report: Volume I California Energy Commission, July 2003.

About the Author

Debbie Witczak
As a Business Analyst in Donlen’s Strategic Consulting Services group, Debbie Witczak analyzes business problems and makes recommendations based on in-depth analyses of each customer’s unique fleet requirements. Utilizing Donlen’s proprietary analytical tools, she partners with Donlen’s Client Consultants to develop and execute cost- and time-saving strategies for Donlen customers. Debbie earned her Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Illinois State University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Benedictine University.

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