BY ISA TRAVERSO-BURGERDid you know that there are about 400 available rides to share for your commute to work, everyday and at all hours? You can even find partners for road trips and to go run errands. Why does this matter to you? Because the savings are huge! According to Easyride, “A forty mile total daily commute costs about $2600 per year, estimated as of 2003. Ridesharing with one other person can save you $1300. Double the figure for an eighty-mile total daily commute.” Other than sharing rides and splitting gas costs, there is also Amtrak and Greyhound for inexpensive prices; it’s not bad at all, I’ve tried each one, although the comfort of a train beats riding a bus anytime.
Let’s say you can’t really do the share-a-ride thing because you have an attitude, or because you’re not fond of giving control of your life to someone else. Whatever. And let’s pretend you are not comfortable enough to ride a bus, nor the train. So, that’s fine as long as you pitch in to help the environment. How? By reading these suggestions we found while doing research. Most of them you probably don’t know about.
We learned that going hybrid is the right way, but there are other alternatives. The way you keep your vehicle and the way you drive will cause an environmental impact.
- Avoid rapid starts and forceful driving- gas to the pedal means more money and higher pollution. Listen to this: “one second of high- powered driving can produce nearly the same volume of carbon monoxide emissions as a half hour of normal driving.” Damn!
- Avoid rush hour –I don’t think Miami can apply– stop-and-go driving as well as carrying loads, and even your air conditioning increase fuel consumption.
- Keep your tires inflated. The pressure recommended is in your owner’s manual...or ask someone who owns the same vehicle. You should check regularly.
- Seek out for LRRs (low-rolling-resistance) tires. These improve your car’s fuel economy.
- Getting a tune-up also helps fuel economy, and we like that word, ‘economy’. But always make sure your vehicle fluids are disposed or recycled.
Don’t forget the oil and filter change. And don’t overlook, if something lights up on the panel inside your car, go figure out what it is.
- Unless your car requires it, premium, high- octane fuels don’t help the car’s performance or your fuel economy. Now, THAT you didn’t know, ha?
- Don’t spill gasoline when trying to fill up the tank past its limit. It evaporates or can leak into groundwater.
- Look for the black accordion-looking nozzle hose, they offer a vapor-recovery system.
- Try to park in the shade to minimize evaporation of fuel. Who would park under the sun anyway? If you live in Florida and have no option but to be under a hot sun, get the windshield shade to ease up the heat. If you’re in Louisiana, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”
Finally, we go back to the basics: sharing rides cuts pollution, reduces traffic, and conserves energy. Ask your community or office if they have a Commuter Choice program. If not, suggest to start one. We only hope, they’ll listen.
