Ask outdoor enthusiasts what the most pressing environmental problems we have today are and you will probably hear something like this: global warming? Despoliation of natural resources? Holes in the ozone layer? Pollution? The funny thing is, no matter which of these familiar and troubling phrases is chosen, there is one common demon: The automobile.
Those invisible pollutants billowing from our automobiles' tailpipes, rich in the so-called greenhouse gases, are collectively poisoning our atmosphere. And us. Every time one of us gets into our beloved machines and turns a key, we are contributing our own small part to the greater problems of the Earth. The effect of emitting the greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide, is multiplied several minion-fold each day. We are now beginning to see the potentially disastrous effects this process is having on the environment.
Because most of us drive an automobile, SUV or other type of machine which uses an internal combustion engine, there is something each one of us can do to alleviate the world's environmental problems. Regular maintenance and some tweaking of our engines and driving habits can have the cumulative effect of lessening the amount of pollutants in the air. If you're someone who likes to work the car or truck yourself, then the following suggestions can be performed easily in an afternoon or two. If, on the other hand, you're someone who wouldn't know the difference between an oil filter and an inflatable kayak, then simply take the list provided and show it to your mechanic.
First of all, let's start with the ignition system in your car, truck or SUV. It doesn't really matter what you drive, the same basic principles apply to almost every make and model out there. Just remember the younger the model, the more clean burning it is likely to be. The latest models will not benefit nearly as much as the old clunker will, mainly because newer models have self -regulating engines designed for reduced emissions.
Back to the ignition system. This system provides the spark to your spark plugs, which ignite the fuel mixture of air and gasoline in the engine's cylinders. The mixture, when lit, provides a small explosion which produces the power when you step on the gas. The ignition system is an adjustable system, which means you can alter it to help your engine burn more efficiently. Normally, increasing the advance timing of the system will provide increases in power and gas mileage, as well as a reduction in pollutants. The trick here is to not advance the timing too much so that the engine knocks or pings. A repair manual and a good set of ears will facilitate this adjustment.
Spark plugs are another part of the ignition system which play a heavy role in the overall performance of the engine. Selecting and installing the best spark plugs for reduced emissions and a cleaner bum usually means installing higher heat range spark plugs. Spark plugs are rated by temperature range, and, by looking in the repair manual for a given car, the rating of factory installed plugs can be identified. Many times, the plugs which are installed at the factory are not the best for reducing emissions. The way to start experimenting is to install the next higher temperature rated plugs and record the changes in gas mileage. If plugs are too "hot" then bad gas mileage will result, but the optimum plugs will provide the best overall mileage.
The fuel system is another "biggie" when talking emissions. This system, through a carburetor or fuel injection system of some kind, regulates and mixes the gas and air mixture necessary for good engine performance. Remember, most newer models will have non -adjustable, self -correcting fuel systems. In this case, the best thing to do is to get regular cleaning on the fuel system to optimize the performance. If the model is older, which generally means older than 1984, then adjustments to the carburetor can easily be made in order to reduce the amount of emissions. Usually there are one or two mixture screws on the carburator that can be adjusted to reduce the amount of gasoline in the overall fuel mixture. Consulting a repair manual or a mechanic is the best way to go here because you want to be precise in your adjustments, but it's easier than it sounds. The reward is lots of reduced emissions and greater fuel economy.
When it comes to other possibilities for reducing emissions, regularly replacing filters and fluids in the car can help immensely. The recommended times for replacement are written down in the repair manual and should be followed. Here's something else that everybody should be able to do: tires. The amount of air in a car or truck's tires has an effect on how much fuel is needed to overcome the friction caused between the tires and pavement. Less air equals more friction, more fuel and more emissions. More air equals less friction, less fuel and less emissions. Obviously, we don't want to fill our tires until they explode ( I've done that once; it's loud), but we do want to optimize the situation. You'll need a tire gauge, which is cheap. Usually going five pounds per -square -inch (psi) over the rated limit on the sidewall of the tire is a good compromise between our purposes here and safety. You'll get as much as one to one -and -a -half mpg more depending on your driving habits.
Speaking of driving habits, let's talk a little about diem. Maybe you're someone who likes to go racing around everywhere like you're driving a Formula one car. If you are, or even if you drive what you consider "normally", a conscious monitoring of your right foot could yield some surprising results. When you are stopped at an intersection, do you "floor" it, or do you press on the pedal just enough to bring your car up to speed? When you're on the highway, do you zip in and out of traffic, lunging for every opportunity to get another car length ahead of the next guy? Or do you calmly proceed at more or less the speed limit with only occasional passing? The habits of drivers can be the number one cause of increased emissions, poor fuel economy, and, incidentally, road rage. Look at your own habits when you drive and make some adjustments. Most of the time, you're not going to make it to wherever you're going that much sooner anyway.
Car pooling is another basic way to reduce pollutants in the air. It is not always practical, but in most urban driving situations, it is. Meet your neighbors or fellow workmates and see if there isn't at least one person with whom you could share a ride with. Most likely, there will be more than one person. It just takes some initiative and collaboration with fellow humans.
Overall increases in gas mileage and reduced pollutants are sure to result from following even one of the aforementioned suggestions. If all of them are followed, something like shock may follow from the reduced gas bill. See if your car is as healthy as it can be and make the necessary repairs or adjustments to make it as efficient as possible. And look at your driving, too. We all owe something to the Earth, even if it means getting a little dirty or meeting someone new.