06 Broadcaster Press April 15, 2014 www.broadcasteronline.com Driving With the Environment in Mind Many people aspire to live more eco-friendly lifestyles. And while those same people may think driving less is one way to accomplish that goal, motorists can take steps to be more eco-friendly when behind the wheel. Electric cars have been touted as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles, but such cars are still beyond the budgets of many vehicle owners, and the fluctuating prices of electricity make electric cars bargains for some drivers but costly expenditures for others. Those fluctuating prices, which depend on geography and a host of other factors, can make it difficult to determine the true cost of owing an electric vehicle. But electric cars are not the only way drivers can go green. * Look for vehicles made with recycled materials. Some vehicle manufacturers have begun to equip their vehicles with recycled components. Much like they might emphasize recycled materials when shopping for groceries or home furnishings, ecofriendly consumers can look for a vehicle that includes recycled materials among its features. * Prioritize vehicle maintenance. Ensuring a vehicle is well-maintained is both practical and ecofriendly. Properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency, as poorly inflated tires make it harder for engines to operate at full capacity, forcing them to work harder and waste fuel in the process. Vehicles run more efficiently when owners adhere to their recommended maintenance schedules, so owners should familiarize themselves with the maintenance guidelines recommended in their owners’ manuals. Doing so can improve fuel efficiency, reduce potentially harmful emissions and save drivers money over the lives of their vehicles. * Stay steady on the road and obey the speed limit. When driving, drivers who maintain a steady speed and obey the speed limit can save more fuel than drivers who constantly accelerate and decelerate. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine, drastically reducing fuel efficiency as a result. Obeying the speed limit can also reduce their fuel consumption, as driving as little as 10 miles per hour more than the speed limit can reduce fuel efficiency. When possible, maintain a safe and steady speed. * Avoid heavily trafficked roads. Heavily trafficked roads tend to feature lots of stop-and-go driving, which reduces fuel efficiency while putting more and tear on vehicles. When possible, stick to roads with less traffic. Such roads are not only better for your vehicle, but also less stressful on drivers. * Clear your vehicle of unnecessary items. Cars have a tendency to become rolling closets. The longer drivers own their vehicles, the more personal items those vehicles seem to collect. Golf clubs, bowling balls, kids’ strollers, and other personal items should be removed from vehicles when making trips during which such items won’t be used. The heavier a vehicle is, the harder its engine must work, and the more fuel that engine consumes as a result. Drivers can dramatically improve their vehicles’ fuel efficiency by resisting the temptation to use those vehicles as storage closets. Driving is rarely seen as an eco-friendly activity. However, drivers can still take steps to reduce their carbon footprints when out on the road. Tire Maintenance An Important Safety Precaution Tires are the link between a vehicle and the roadway, and tire quality has a direct impact on the performance and safety of an automobile. But tire maintenance is easy to overlook. However, ignoring tire maintenance can threaten driver and passenger safety and make a vehicle operate inefficiently. Steering, breaking ability and traction are all governed by good tires. Worn tread can result in longer stopping times and make it difficult to brake immediately in an emergency situation. Although driving tends to be the primary culprit behind worn down tires, sometimes bald or unevenly worn out tread is indicative of a larger problem, such as a misaligned wheelbase, improperly aligned tires or tires that are underinflated. The following are some common problems associated with tires and how to address these issues should they arise. Blowouts Worn tire treads increase the risk of punctures, which can lead to blowouts. Bald tires also may blowout as a result of friction on roadways that is met with minimal rubber. Getting caught on the side of the road with a tire blowout can be a hassle, so routinely check tire treads and replace tires accordingly. Tread depth Average new tires on cars usually start with 10/32 inch to 11/32 inch of original tread depth. When tread reaches a depth of 2/32 inch, they are considered worn out. There are different ways to gauge tread depth. Insert a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it is time to replace the tires. Another coin test is to insert a quarter into the groove. If the tread touches Washington’s head, you have at least 4/32 inch of tread left. Don’t have any currency on hand? Then look at the treadwear indicator bar molded into the tires. When these bars become flush with the adjacent ribs of the tire, the tires should be Mullinix Carpet Specializing in Auto, Heavy Equipment, Farm Machinery & RV Glass Repair & Replacement Free Mobile Service! 20 Years of Experience! Finest Flooring Available • Professionally Installed replaced. Alignment According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, improper alignment causes rapid or uneven treadwear. Tires should be aligned and balanced periodically to avoid irregular wear and having to replace tires prematurely. Tread pattern Tires feature different tread patterns depending on the brand of tire. They may be directional, asymmetrical, nondirectional, and directional/asymmetrical. When purchasing replacement tires, it is adviseable to match the tread pattern to the existing tires. This helps enhance the performance of the car. In fact, some newer cars 222 West Main, Vermillion, SD • Locally Owned & Operated 605-624-8170 | 800-286-7835 • Emergency # 605-670-9434 All Work Insurance Approved & Guaranteed require tread to match. Mismatched treads may cause problems with transmission shifting or impact control and steadiness. Tire pressure Underinflation of tires can cause failure, stress and irregular wear. Underinflated tires also may contribute to loss of control that leads to accidents. Always maintain the manufacturer’s recommendations for the correct pressure, which should be adjusted based on the temperature. Tires should undergo the same inspection and maintenance as other parts of the vehicle. Tires are a vital component to safe driving, and routine maintenance can prevent accidents and other problems. BroadcasterOnline.com Your Rainbird Sprinkler & Concrete Edging Experts! Yankton & Vermillion 3x ...the Value Call 665-4582 Custom Curbing Continuous Concrete Landscape Borders Enhance Lawns, Gardens & Driveways Yankton Irrigation Sales • Installation & Service of Rain Bird Irrigation Systems Residential & Commercial Adams Hartington Tree LLC For Your Classified! 605-624-4429 Serving Southeast SD & Northeast NE Construction Yankton 1103 E Hwy 50 605-260-1490 Hartington 56303 882RD 402-254-6710 Roofing • Siding • General Construction • Residential Licensed and Bonded 605.202.0418 • adam_palsma@hotmail.com Kent & Kyle Hochstein Licensed Arborists Fully Insured - Free Estimates www.hartingtontree.com MOWING AERATION LANDSCAPING FERTILIZING WEED CONTROL SPRING CLEANUP HEDGE TRIMMING IRRIGATION Call Today! 605.202.0555