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Well, if you live anywhere in the Los Angeles area,you know how crowded the 405 freeway can get. Talk about an emission and congestion nightmare. Then you also probably know that this weekend the 405 freeway is being closed between the 10 and the 101. This closure is being done so they can demolish half of the Mulholland Bridge in order to widen the freeway and create a carpool lane from Orange County to the San Fernando Valley.

So I figured, with that happening and “Carmageddon” traffic on surrounding freeways expected to get to nightmare levels, it would be a good time to cover some smart ways to lower vehicle emissions.

1) Plan your trip route ahead of time: Road closures, construction and traffic are all major factors when it comes to driving time. Sitting on the freeway idling does nothing but waste gas, spew emissions and pollute the environment. Not to mention how frustrating it can be. So going online to check traffic, using your GPS and planning alternative routes can help get you where you need to go without any added hassle or waste.

2) Add a proven fuel catalyst: When the hydrocarbons in your fuel get bundled together, they often won’t burn completely. This is how you get harmful exhaust and emissions. One way to lower these emissions is by adding a catalyst that will help unbundle the hydrocarbons and allow more of the fuel to burn. It’s a win-win, reduction of emissions and increased fuel efficiency.

3) Stop idling. This one I’ve mentioned many times before but it bears repeating. If you find yourself sitting in your vehicle waiting for someone, don’t idle, turn your vehicle off. When you are ready to go again you can turn it back on and be on your way. Idling wastes gas and produces unnecessary emissions. Of course, if we had this Eco-Star technology in place, it could go far in reducing idling emissions:

4) Take public transportation: This may be a no-brainer, but when you need to commute to work or travel to visit family and friends, check out public transportation options. Using public transportation is a great and smart way to lower vehicle emissions. Besides the more people that opt for public transportation, the less traffic on the roads.

Additional tips for this weekend if you live in the Los Angeles area:

a) Stay away from the 405.

b) If you don’t need to drive anywhere, don’t.

c) If you need to go somewhere ride the Metro – it’s free this weekend.

d) If the Metro doesn’t work for you, extra buses have been added to try and ease travel in and around the area.

But, whether you are driving in Los Angeles, or any other part of the world, if you follow these smart and simple ways to lower vehicle emissions, you’ll make yourself and the environment a little bit happier.

When you hear someone talk about biofriendly driving they aren’t just referring to lowering your emissions or saving money. Biofriendly driving is about doing what you can to lower the “footprint” you are leaving as a result of you driving in the first place.

Now, someone who drives to work is obviously going to emit more emissions than someone who rides their bike or car-pools to work. And, of course, someone who drives a hybrid is going to emit less emissions than a gas-guzzling co-worker. But what’s the difference in terms of environmental impact and are there specific driving tips that can help lower that impact?

1) First tip, before you buy a new vehicle, do a comparison. Take a look at key points including cost of the vehicle, MPG, cost of fuel, estimated fuel consumption (don’t forget to factor in savings if you use a good fuel additive), carbon footprint, EPA air pollution score and more.

Fueleconomy.gov has a great comparison tool where you can see all this information at a glance. Take a look at the difference between a 2010 Ford Fusion, a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and a 2010 Ford Fusion FFV (Flex-fuel vehicle).

2) Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving actually wastes gas. Driving sensibly can improve your fuel economy between 5-30% on average. It also helps lower the wear and tear on your brakes and tires. There is no reason to rapidly accelerate if you know you are going to have to slam on the brakes a moment later.

3) Follow the rules of the road. Speeding, running red lights, not paying attention to pedestrians, texting while driving, etc are all things that will adversely affect not just you but people around you. This simple tip can save time, gas, money and lives.

You don’t want to be a Mr. Wheeler…

4) I’ve said it many times before, but if you are going to drive please ensure you keep your vehicle properly maintained. Getting regular oil changes, rotating your tires and ensuring they are properly inflated, checking fluid levels, basic maintenance, etc. all help extend the life of your vehicle. Proper maintenance also cuts down on repair costs.

Using the correct oil can also help you save money and improve gas mileage. Did you know there are even “Energy Conserving” oils? But don’t be fooled, even though oils with that designation have passed tests showing the oil has the ability to conserve energy, the API states “…a particular vehicle operator may not experience a fuel savings as a result of using these oils.” Doesn’t say it won’t help, but you might want to check your owner’s manual.

5) When traveling long distances, try using your cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed can sometimes help save gas. Using your cruise control also can help keep your legs from getting sore on a long trip.

6) Drive less. It may sound like a funny way to drive, but driving less saves you money, gas and save on the harmful emissions your vehicle releases into the environment. I don’t mean you have to sit at home. Walk to your destinations. Ride your bike. Car-pool or ride-share. Take public transportation.

Try it….leave your vehicle at home one day a week and see what a difference it can make.

7) Tap into your GPS navigation. People who use their GPS to figure out where they are going ahead of time, typically spend less time on the road and less time looking for their intended destination. Saves time, money and frustration.

For those of you who are looking for more, you might want to check out a backseat smart driver:

Do you have any biofriendly driving tips that help you save? I’d love to hear them. Remember, drive safe and drive smart!

I decided to write this blog post because we are currently in the middle of a few rain storms in Southern California and I thought it might be good to go over some tips and information regarding how rain can affect your commute and fuel economy. If you’ve even been to Southern California you probably know heavy rains are not a common occurrence. Many drivers aren’t used to driving in the rain around here and when it does rain, you end up with accidents, flooding, mud-slides and other rain-related problems.

So here are a few rainy day driving tips that could not only help you stay safe on the road, but could potentially improve your fuel economy in the rain as well:

1) Quick acceleration and/or breaking fast can reduce your fuel economy by up to 33% on the highway. With slick roads and sometimes poor visibility due to rain, a good tip is to slow down and give a little more room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Your vehicle does not react the same on a dry road as it does on a wet road, so you’ll need to compensate for the difference.

2) Watch out for areas of standing water. Areas of standing water could cause your vehicle to hydroplane or if the water is deep enough, could cause your vehicle to get stuck. Especially if it’s the first rain after a long dry spell, you’ll have the concern of oil and other spilled fluids that can add to the slick surface of the road. While it may be fun to go racing through a “puddle” to watch water splash everywhere, you never know what that puddle could be hiding.

3) Ensure your tires are in good condition. Worn out tires have shallow grooves and don’t provide the type of traction you need when driving in the rain. Improperly inflated tires can wear your tires down faster and affect your ability to maneuver on wet roads. Plus…don’t forget, tires can lose up to a pound of pressure for every 10 degree drop in temperature. And unaligned tires can create unneeded friction while driving and this too can cause tires to wear out and lower fuel economy.

4) Ensure you and your vehicle are properly prepared for a rainy day drive. Although I recommend having basic emergency supplies in your car at all times, when you go out driving in the rain or snow this becomes even more important. Accidents and traffic are commonplace in bad weather and you should be prepared for that. Ensure your car has a basic emergency kit, water, blanket(s), snacks, etc. Fill up (or fully charge your vehicle if you have an electric vehicle) before you head out. You can also use a proven fuel additive to add to your fuel economy. You never know when a “short” drive can turn into a long trip.

Basically, when it all comes down to it, your vehicle and fuel economy are not the same in dry conditions as they are in wet, rainy conditions. You must factor that in when driving in the rain. So before you head out for work, school, errands, etc. brush up on your “Tips for Driving in Rain” so you can have a safe and happy drive!