Green Tips for Maintaining Your Car
 When it comes to environmentally friendly automobile decisions, many drivers think that buying an energy efficient car is all that they can do. However, thinking that would certainly be a mistake. There are countless ways that individuals can hurt or help the environment through everyday tasks such as car maintenance. Whether you are sending your car to the shop for repairs, or you are undertaking some maintenance at home, use this guide to learn about four green tips for maintaining your car.
1. Recycle What You Can
Many car maintenance experts make it a habit to throw out any old oil, car fluids, or parts once they are no longer useful in their vehicle. If you really want to make a difference, it would be far better to recycle all those materials. Call your local repair shop and ask them about their oil recycling plan. Even if you change your oil at home, you can usually bring in your old oil to them for recycling. This can significantly reduce the amount of harmful fluids that soak into the ground in landfills.
2. Create a Harmless Windshield Wiper Fluid
If you have ever taken a close look at a bottle of windshield wiper fluid, you might have noticed that it often has strong chemical smells and sometimes even bright colors. Although it is a helpful product for drivers, it is an unnatural material and using too much of it could have adverse effects. A much better solution is to make your own windshield wiper fluid from vinegar and water. Simply pour one-half cup of white distilled vinegar into the windshield fluid reservoir and then fill the rest up with water. Not only will this work to keep your windshield free from streaks, but it also reduces fogging at the same time.
3. Clean Rusted or Corroded Car Batteries
Many people see rusted car batteries and think to throw them away rather than to remove the rust, since it can be a tricky procedure. Thankfully, it is easier than you think thanks to some natural materials you already have on hand. Simply combine one tablespoon of baking soda with eight ounces of water and slowly pour the mixture onto the corroded battery terminals. This affordable solution helps extend the life of your car batteries.
4. Green Car Wax Solution
Nothing looks better than a freshly waxed car, but the wax used for cars is often toxic and harmful to the planet. If you love the look of a great wax job but you want to save money and help the environment, then consider making your own green wax. All it takes is one-quarter cup of beeswax and one-half cup of olive oil or any other type of vegetable-based oil. Heat the beeswax and mix the two ingredients together for an incredible solution that leaves a great sheen on your car without any harmful effects.
Maintaining your car can involve many different products to keep it running smoothly and looking great. For those that don't have sufficient car insurance, maintenance is incredibly important as a way to avoid problems and high costs down the road. Since some of these products and practices can damage the environment, do your best to switch over to the green side and implement as many of these helpful environmentally friendly tips as possible.
Ryan Summer blogs about car maintenance tips for carinsurance.org.uk. If you want to decrease your car insurance and repair costs, you can use these tips to keep your car in good running order.
Image courtesy of Creative Commons.
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