Green Tips For Winterizing Your Car

When snow, sleet, and Arctic air masses convince you to break down and winterize your vehicle (or vehicles), take a second and help the planet.

Keeping the environment in mind when winterizing your ride can also be kind to your wallet, as well as the Earth.

In the interest of going green when the landscape turns white, check out our handy tips from bumper to bumper…

Your exterior (including tires)
•    Keep your car longer: Be sure to get the anti-rust protection your size and year of car needs, apply a pre-winter waxing to help protect your paint job and prevent rust on exterior metal parts. That way, your car will stay out of landfill-shape a little longer, and save you money on repairs.
•    Recycle your old tires: When swapping summer radials for snow tires, be sure to send any tires that are done to a green reincarnation as rubber mulch or playground material, via participating retailers or through one of the following resources:
http://www.envirotire.com/
http://www.ontariots.ca/
http://www.ontariotirerecovery.com/

Your interior
•    Use a warm-air intake http://ecomodder.com/forum/fuel-economy-mpg-modifications.php#12 According to EcoModder.com: “Higher intake charge temperature has been found to increase the flame speed, the combustion reaction rate, the uniformity of the fuel-air mixture and reduce the heat transfer rate though the cylinder walls. This all adds up to the engine using more heat for physical movement and less being wasted.”
•    Put a 110V AC space heater in your car and run it instead of idling your engine to warm up the interior of your car. http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoAccessories/CarHeaters/PRD~0303414P/12V%2BAuto%2BHeater%252BDefogger.jsp

Your engine
•    Water-down your antifreeze: That blue/green stuff is wicked-bad for the planet. To save money and the planet (at least a bit), mix water and antifreeze 50/50: It works just as well and some gas stations sell antifreeze pre-mixed with water. http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/antifreeze-faq.htm
•    Put your block heater on a timer to reduce energy consumption. http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045/0528835P/reviews.htm
•    Install or make a radiator block to speed-up warm-up times (just be sure to watch coolant levels and take it out once the weather warms up.)
•    Use thinner oil, if your manufacturer recommends (this will help your car start easier and reduce power-loss in cold weather.)

Your driving
•    Start driving smart (ease on and off the gas, make sure you’re in the lowest reasonable gear, etc…) You could save up to 1/3 of your fuel costs. Most “hypermilers” (people who practice extremely gradual turns, acceleration, and deceleration) are a little much for the average consumer. Here’s a great video demonstrating how you can reasonably save energy driving in the winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycnj4f-e-B8
•    Unload your trunk! Those golf clubs from six months ago aren’t doing your fuel economy any good. And all that hockey gear should get unloaded and reloaded whenever possible.

Emergencies
•    Make your own emergency kit (don’t pack in too much – this is for emergencies – not two-week vacations), use a pre-existing box or container, take items you already have in your house, look at ready-made emergency kits and be sure to exclude things that are clearly gimmick items…what DO you need? Here’s a good overview: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/summer-kit-vehicle.html
•    Keep your fuel tank full: It lessens the chances you’ll be stranded in the winter cold, it keeps your fuel pump and gas tank in tip-top shape, and the weight of a full tank of gas is negligible in terms of fuel economy compared to a half-full-or-less tank.

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