Many people claim to worry about the environment, but continue to drive their exhaust polluting vehicles through a thick layer of smog. Our energy resources are suffering a terrible blow and so few people are actually willing to do anything about it. One solution to consider is the use of a hybrid vehicle. They emit less pollution that a standard oil burning type and offer less gas used per mile! Imagine the savings. But that’s not the only reason you should consider a hybrid.

The EPA or Environmental Protection Agency, when doing a comparison between a hybrid and regular vehicle, finds some very interesting facts. Vehicles are tested to determine what type of emissions they are polluting into the air we breathe, then they are rated by those conclusions. Among their choice vehicles, the hybrid along with SUV’s and eventually minivan’s are the pick of the liter! The Toyota Camry puts out more than half of what its hybrid counterpart, the Toyota Prius hybrid does, in carbon dioxide. Nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons are diminished by two-thirds and halves supported by their green house emission rating for pollutants. With the exception of trucks, hybrid vehicles have the more favorable of ratings and top their categories over and over. When faced with the fact that hybrids put 97% less pollutants and toxins into the air when compared with gas-burning vehicles, it becomes harder to justify why we continue to drive the latter.

Hybrids are the better choice for so many reasons, including the evidence that they emit fewer pollutants and the fact that they get phenomenally better mpg, between 20 and 30 for larger engine models likes trucks or SUV’s and well into the 60 range for cars! Manuals traditionally get better mpg than automatics, which is evident by the Honda Insight whose automatic gets 50mpg and middle 60’s for it’s manual. Aside from being more efficient, the greenhouse effect and fossil fuel debate would be null and void by the use of hybrid only vehicles. It’s unfortunate that our vehicles only allow for 15 to 18mpg, but can that argument really justify the damage they are doing to our environment? Society as a whole needs to get serious about conserving our fuel, and hybrid vehicles are definitely a step in the right direction.

Have you ever been stuck in traffic on a hot day, in a busy city? How was the air quality around you? Could you take a deep breath and exhale on a smile? Probably not. It’s not just the environment we need to concern ourselves with. Our bodies and health suffer from the effects of carbon monoxide and methane, being emitted into the air by our vehicles. We are doing damage to our lungs everyday. Did you know that one third of all air pollution in America is in direct relation to that which our vehicles output? Researchers are studying the effects these pollutants have on the human body as we speak and direct links to cancer are being found. Sounds scary doesn’t it? Yet another reason why hybrid cars are the better, more health conscious choice.

If you could reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being polluted into the air by 10 tons, would you? The fact of the matter is, 1 vehicle getting 25mpg instead of 20mpg, would do exactly that. The EPA measures the effects these pollutants have on all living things and reports its findings on every industry. Today, with the advance in our technology, there is no reason for the continued desecration of our environment by the use of these inefficient, toxic vehicles. Yes, it’s true there is much left to learn and the EPA is continually breaking ground and finding new solutions to old problems. How we put the information they provide us with, to use, is up to us. We are responsible for our world and our bodies and in the long run, it is the population as a whole who will undoubtedly have to answer for our actions or lack thereof.

(NC)-The winter months can play havoc on one of your most important investments — your car. Whether you drive a brand new sports car or a reliable family vehicle, regularly cleaning and protecting the car from harsh elements will help maximize the vehicle’s value and longevity. The automotive experts at Canadian Tire have these tips to help give your car a fresh start heading into spring and summer.

Wash and dry

• Rinse entire vehicle before washing to remove loose debris.
• Do not use dish or laundry soap as they strip away protective wax and natural oils in paint. For best results, use specially formulated car wash soaps like Simoniz Car Wash.
• Always use a clean soft wash mitt, brush or chenille pad, rinsing frequently to remove harmful debris. The Simoniz Details Accessory Kit, available at Canadian Tire, has everything you need to safely and efficiently clean your car without harming the paint.
• Use two buckets - one for your car wash and use a separate bucket for rinsing the wash mitt.
• Start drying immediately after washing and rinsing to prevent water spots using a soft microfibre or cotton towel, chamois, PVA towel, or a silicone squeegee.
• Don’t forget to dry doorjambs and under the trunk lid.

Wax and polish

• Automotive waxes create a protective shield for the car’s paint against harmful elements like acid rain, UV rays, bugs, tar and tree sap.
• For best results, wax in warm dry weather in a shaded area. Do not wax the vehicle in direct sunlight.
• Always apply wax with a clean, fresh applicator and buff with a terry towel or diaper cloth.
• For a truly superior shine, clean your paint prior to waxing with a clay bar from Meguiars or Mothers.
• To help reduce time and effort, use an electric polisher. For an effective and more consistent application, try any of the Simoniz Random Orbit Polishers. They use less wax than working by hand and avoid causing paint damage from overbuffing

Interior & Exterior Cleaning

• Tire dressings restore the glossy black look of tires. Michelin’s Tire Care replaces ingredients in your tires that are depleted over time.
• Use only ammonia-free glass cleaner on your car’s windows, as ammonia will damage window tinting.
• Protectants help to nourish the vinyl and rubber on your car and protect it from UV ray damage. Try using protectant on the car’s weather-stripping, it will help protect it from the elements and prolong its life.
• Keep the air inside your car clean and fresh with an air purifier specially designed for drivers. The 12 Volt Air Purifier / Ionizer neutralizes unpleasant odors, smoke and other pollutants and plugs directly into the 12V cigarette lighter socket.

Source: News Canada

Every winter drivers should take active steps to protect their car from road salt.

Road salt is necessary for safe transportation when snow and ice accumulate on roads and highways and cause dangerous driving conditions.

Salt was first used in the 1930’s in snow and ice control to make roads safe and passable by creating a lower freezing temperature of the water. It is the most available and cost-effective de-icer. It is easy to store, handle, and apply.

Some 15 million tons of de-icing salt is used each year in the U.S. and about 4-5 million in Canada.

Salt keeps snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and to allow snowplows to remove accumulations quickly and efficiently.

Studies show that salt use reduces accidents by 88%.

Washing your car during wintertime is one of the best things you can do to maintain the value of your car. Mud, salt, rain, sleet, and snow can damage your car’s clear finish. Mud and salt caked on the undercarriage promote rust, especially in older vehicles, and can also affect how well your car drives.

To prevent winter damage, it is recommended that you wash your vehicle every 10 days. Wash your vehicle whenever the temperature is 40 degrees F. and above. Do it during the day so that it dries completely before freezing evening temperatures begin.

Immediately after washing the vehicle, open and close all doors, the trunk, and other parts of the car with locks several times before parking it to prevent locks from freezing.

Always wash your car right after a snow or rain shower. Rain and snow collect pollutants in the air and drop them as acid rain which can damage the cars protective finish. Snow and sleet also include the corrosive road salt.

Wash the underside of your car often during the winter months in car washes that do not use recycled water.

Avoid driving through large puddles of standing water which is saturated with road salt.

Any paint chips that are larger than the tip of a pen should be taken care of immediately.

Wax your car at least every six months. Put a good heavy coat of wax on your car before the winter storms hit. This heavy coat will protect your paint from the corrosive salt and cold temperatures.

More frequent waxes are needed if your car is red, black or white because these colors are more susceptible to acid rain and UV rays.

When spring time rolls around, treat your car to a good wax job again. Be sure to remove all road grime and salt off of the car before you begin waxing.

For more information:
http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/5starshine.htm

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

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Article (c) 2005 Marilyn Pokorney