How to Make an Old Car Green

When getting rid of that old, reliable car isn't an option, you can still do a few things to make it more environmentally friendly. With some creativity and the right equipment, you can make an old car "green" and breathe easier knowing you and your car are treading a little lighter on the road.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Drive wise. Driving the speed limit and avoiding jerky starts and stops saves your miles per gallon (MPG) and might save you from a speeding ticket. Planning out your trip also helps avoid backtracking and racking up wasted miles on the road.

2. Use what you've got. If you have a diesel engine, you can use alternative fuel with little to no modifications to the old car. Biodiesel made from pure vegetable oil or ethanol can be found in just about every state, making it easier to be green at the pump.

3. Maintain your ride. Regular maintenance on your vehicle keeps your car running smooth, polluting less and achieving better fuel economy. Tune-ups and properly inflated tires are a must to make that old car more green.

4. Upgrade for efficiency. Maintaining is a good start, but to really go green, simple upgrades for your car increase your efficiency. Invest in quality high-flow air filters, synthetic oils and spark plugs for better performance. Consider a new catalytic converter and exhaust while you are at it.

5. Stop running hot and cold. Unless your old car is a classic, chances are it is electronically controlled and the engine doesn't need to be warmed up by idling. Also, go easy on the air conditioner (AC). It is bad for you and wrecks your MPG. Park in the shade to keep the car cooler so you aren't tempted to blast the AC every time you get inside.

6. Convert. Kits are available to turn your old car into a hybrid but range in cost and effectiveness. Do your homework on what is available to see if this is a good option for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Park it. Try to carpool, telecommute, take the bus or ride a bike to work at least one day a week. It will give your car and the environment an additional break.
• Making an old car green is a worthwhile endeavor. Old cars well maintained emit substantially less emissions than it takes to create a new car—even a green one.

Resources

• The Sierra Club Website helps calculate how much you can save by increasing fuel economy.
• Calculate how much pollution you and your car are creating.
• More Biodiesel & Hybrid Conversion Kits Info on GreenCar.com