Staying happy and healthy on the job: Five energy-management tips for active workers

Getting ahead at work, making family dinners, and fitting leisure activities into the timetable are among the ever-present challenges that professionals deal with every day. Without an effective routine and a healthy mindset, work and life can become a difficult balancing act. Here are a few energizing tips to help balance life and the daily grind. Read more

Your key to a long-lasting car

Here are 10 basic maintenance procedures can help keep your car operating at its best for the long haul. Read more

Save time while cleaning

The secret to effective cleaning is to make the best use of your time. Read more

How to throw a stress-free pool party

While a pool party can be a great way to spend an afternoon with friends and family, taking a few extra steps can help your event sparkle as much as your pool. Read more

Protect your house and family

A few easy electrical safety steps can help ensure that your home continues to be a safe haven for your family. Read more

Making your kitchen healthy and close to carefree

Nobody wants to spend more time cleaning their kitchen than they need to. So what's the secret to creating a carefree kitchen? Choosing durable kitchen products that are easy to use and nearly maintenance free. Read more

People food: pet poison

They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Just like best friends, people tend to do daily activities together with their pets, such as sleeping, exercising and even eating the same meal with them. Little do pet owners know, some foods can actually be harmful to the health of their canine and feline companions. Read more

Proper feeding: An essential part of responsible pet ownership

Your pet's nutritional needs are different from the needs of people, so pets should be fed the appropriate amount and type of food, not leftovers of human food. Read more

View all Living stories.

June 6, 2012

Green your vehicle routine

Basic vehicle maintenance helps protect the environment and your own economy.

For more "green" in your wallet as well as a greener environment, save money and energy with basic vehicle maintenance. Here are five ways you can do so:

1. Drive Green. Recognize that how you drive has a lot to do with fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Jerky and aggressive driving decreases your miles per gallon and increases wear and tear on your vehicle. Minimize unnecessary miles by combining errands.

2. Get a Tune-up. Regular tune-ups and maintenance and having clean air filters will help your car pollute less and burn less gas. With a proper tune-up, you can save 4 percent on the cost of gas and up to 40 per cent by replacing a faulty oxygen sensor. Simply changing the car's air filter can improve efficiency by 10 per cent.

3. Lighten the Load. Get the junk out of the trunk and the stuff out of your car, with the exception of emergency items such as a spare tire, flares and a first-aid kit. Extra items weigh the vehicle down and cause an increase in gas usage.

4. Tire Checks. According to the Car Care Council, around 2 billion gallons of gas a year could be saved if the tires on every car were properly inflated. Optimal tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in the owner's manual. Tires that are not properly inflated add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. All this increases fuel costs as much as 3 to 5 cents per gallon and increases the risk of engine damage.

5. Gas Caps and Fill-up.Check your vehicle's gas cap. Approximately 17 percent of vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year. Topping off your gas tank when filling up your car can also release harmful vapors into the environment.

"Vehicle owners who do their own maintenance should remember to recycle or properly dispose of fluids and other vehicle components, including used motor oil, tires and batteries," advises Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

For further facts on saving energy and money with proper car care, visit www.carcare.org/car-care-guide.

Green your vehicle routine

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