Last year the average U.S household spent close to $5,500 on automobile expenses (gasoline, repairs, parking, tolls, etc.). Some cities averaged as high as $10,000 per household. With Americans confined to their vehicles for about 5% of their time, these aren’t exactly what you’d call biofriendly expenses.

Image by The Infamous Gdub

It’s surprising the number of motorists who aren’t aware of or don’t follow some of the basic driving tips that could save them time, money, gasoline, lower their vehicle’s emissions, etc.

Some people are smart and try to avoid those hefty expenses as much as they can by opting for public transportation. Did you know it has even been reported that using public transportation is better for your weight and overall health? It also is a good way to travel without having to deal with the frustration so often associated with traffic and road rage.

But if you don’t live or work in an area with a good public transportation system, then you will definitely want to make sure you make the most of your drive. Therefore, I suggest you try to avoid these 10 not so biofriendly motorist mistakes in order to help you get on your way:

1 – Leaving the vehicle idling: There is no reason to leave your vehicle idling (unless you are stuck in traffic of course). You don’t waste gas by turning your vehicle off and back on again. You will definitely lower your emissions though and more than likely save money rather than let it idle away.

2 – Ignoring regular maintenance: Regular maintenance on your vehicle is key. Keeping your vehicle maintained will help ensure it runs better, keep your engine clean and can also help lower harmful emissions. A properly maintained vehicle also tends to break down less thus saving you money on unexpected repair costs. A proven fuel additive is always a plus too…Green Plus®.

3 – Rapid starts and stops: Don’t race off as soon as the light turns green only to slam on your brakes for the next red light. Your fuel economy will be better with a gradual start/stop and you won’t put as much wear and tear on your tires, brakes, etc.

4 – Keeping lots of “stuff” in your vehicle: Unless you are going on a trip, why keep your vehicle filled with stuff you don’t need? All it does it load the vehicle down and cause the engine to work harder due to the added weight.

Image by tylertate

5 – Not checking tire pressure: Properly inflated tires also play a roll in fuel economy. Correctly inflated tires can reduce your fuel usage by up to 3-4%. Tip: most vehicles have a sticker on the door to let you know the proper tire pressure.

6 – Not planning ahead: Planning ahead and consolidating mutual trips saves in many ways. Also, if you know you are going to need to run errands, don’t do so during rush hour traffic.

7 – Speeding: Gas mileage usually starts decreasing when you get to around 60 mph. Figure it this way….”each 5mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas“. So, slow down.

Image via fueleconomy.gov

8 – Not taking advantage of GPS: I know many men (and some women) don’t like to ask for directions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use your GPS. Taking advantage of your GPS is also a smart way to save gasoline, not to mention time. Plug in your destination and let your GPS help you with the fastest route as well as avoid delays and unnecessary idling.

9 – Ignoring or overusing your cruise control: Cruise control is a great thing, but if you don’t use it properly it isn’t going to help you when you drive. Cruise control is perfect for relatively flat terrain. It keeps your vehicle at a steady speed and maintains it. Using cruise control while traveling through the hills/mountains will cause you to speed up a lot faster than if you were stepping on the gas yourself.

10 – Keeping your windows down: This one is kind of a toss up in my book. Keeping your windows up helps make your vehicle more aerodynamic, but having your A/C on all the time can lower the air quality in your vehicle. So, I guess it’s a personal preference.

Image by Vagabond Shutterbug

Now, I’m not saying that you will dramatically reduce your fuel economy or immediately save hundreds in automobile expenses just by avoiding these mistakes. I am saying that you might want to take note and make a few adjustments in your driving if you are making any of these not so biofriendly motorist mistakes.

If you have any personal tips that help you drive a little more biofriendly, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and let me know. If it works for you, I’m sure others can benefit from it as well.

You may not be a car enthusiast. You may not even be 100% environmentally-conscious in your transportation choices. But neither of those points matter here, because once you take a look at these forms of chic eco transportation, you might decide it’s time for a change.

Now I’m not talking about public transportation…although I do like the concept of the straddling buses in China or high-speed rail coming to California. And walking or riding your bike are great ways to get around (and get some exercise). However right now, I’m talking about personal transportation, the kind you might find parked in your driveway someday.

Whether you already have an electric vehicle you wouldn’t trade for the world, a hybrid you couldn’t do without or your trusty but “not so environmentally-friendly” vehicle (that really needs an effective fuel additive to drive it anywhere) I still think you’ll find at least one of these vehicles will catch your eye.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell:

Renault DeZir (Concept Car):

Porsche 918 Spyder Electric Hybrid:

Brammo Empulse: (with additional photos for the Empulse here)

Terrafugia Transition:

Aptera 2e:

MIT’s CityCar (video also shows their GreenWheel electric bike attachment):

Of course if the electric car had caught on almost 100 years ago, we probably wouldn’t be dealing with the pollution and harmful emissions we are dealing with today. I mean take a look at this electric car from 1914…..

Just imagine what transportation today would have been like if electric vehicles, not gasoline-powered vehicles, had been what auto makers decided to build over the last hundred years.

Luckily for consumers, with auto makers continuing to move towards more environmentally-friendly options, that will pretty much guarantee an eco option for almost anyone.

What do you think the future of personal transportation holds? Are SEVs (Space Efficient Vehicles) going to be the wave of the future? What form of chic eco transportation would best suit your needs?

To see more green or eco transportation options, check out the winners of the Green Car Awards 2010.

Image by TomJByrne

Life isn’t always cut out the way we think it should be. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make the most out of it, right?! As Eleanor Roosevelt so aptly stated: “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” So, with that in mind…here are some simple biofriendly tips for life and living:

1) Don’t regret the past: Regardless of whether or not you’ve made mistakes in your life (which I’m sure we all have), don’t regret what you’ve done in your past. The things you did in the past are part of what made you who you are today.

Learn from your past and use it to help improve your future. You will find that today, tomorrow and many tomorrows will be better for it.

Image by vladeb

2) Get outside daily: Even if it is just for 15-20 minutes a day, take the time to get outside. Smell the fresh air, get some sun on your skin (Vitamin D, you know). Look at the beauty of nature around you. Who knows, it might even inspire you.

3) Eat locally grown foods or better yet, grow some of your own: You hear it said all the time. So what’s holding you back? It is probably easier than you think.

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Besides, it doesn’t matter why you want to do it…whether it’s because it is a biofriendly or environmentally-friendly thing to do or because you want to save money or maybe because you realize how great freshly picked food tastes. Fresh fruits, herbs, vegetables, etc. are great for you too. They can be a healthy snack or a smart addition to a well-balanced meal.

4) Cut down on your transportation emissions: Are you aware how much smog and harmful emissions can affect you? Plus, who wants to be breathing in harmful toxins? I know I don’t.

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An easy way to reduce your exposure to these harmful transportation emissions is by cutting down your driving time. Car-pool or ride-share whenever you can. Take public transportation where available. Use a proven fuel additive to further reduce your vehicles emissions and improve your fuel economy. Walk or ride your bike around town. Talk to your office about telecommuting. Have video conferences rather than requiring employees to travel long distances for a company conference or meeting.

5) Get up and get moving: As Sir Isaac Newton taught us as part of his first law of motion: “Every object persists in its state of rest…unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed on it.”

Well, the same applies to your body. You don’t want to be stuck in a continuous state of rest, therefore you need to get moving. Regular exercise such as walking, bike riding, hiking, swimming, playing sports, etc. is a great way to get moving and keep fit.

6) Buy less, save more: We can’t measure our success in life by how much we own. Some people may try to do that, but life isn’t about “stuff”. I mean seriously, how much stuff do you already own that you rarely use? When was the last time you cleaned out your closets or garage?

Image by E. Bartholomew

Measure your life by what you have accomplished or by how many lives you have touched. The kind words, the helping hand, the smile when someone was feeling down are often a lot more valuable and more memorable than you can imagine.

7) Live life: Every person’s life is worth living…every moment and every breathe. Don’t let one moment pass you by.

While you’ve probably heard that many times in your life, let me tell you there is nothing that makes that point clearer than watching your children grow up. Every moment is precious. Every experience worth having. Nothing is small or insignificant.

Image by Dy Zach Photoworks

When it all comes down to biofriendly living, recognize the life all around you. Be smart and respect that life, care for the people and things that have a positive impact on your life and create the kind of life you want. You are the only one who can.