You want to make your car more environmentally friendly? Then that's just a great attitude! A car should be serviced and checked regularly - that's for sure. But what can you do apart from this general advice so that it doesn't pollute the environment too much? Fortunately, there are always small and also large adjusting screws that you can turn for the sustainability of your own car.
In this article I would like to present you some practical tips to make your car as environmentally friendly as possible, even if it is already a slightly older model.
In advance you will find here a short Table of contents about the contribution:
- Retrofit soot particle filter
- Pay attention to the tire pressure
- Clean or replace catalyst
- To convert electric car
- Remove roof rack
- Avoid unnecessary electronics
- Rent car to others
- Have fault memory read out
- Remove unnecessary ballast from the car
- Environmentally compatible and car-friendly use
10 tips & ideas: How to make an (old) car more environmentally friendly?
Of course, it is particularly sustainable not to use the car at all. But one or the other is certainly (at least in some situations) dependent on the car. As promised, here are some valuable eco-tips for your car! And don't worry: not all of them cost money - and some will even save you unexpected costs in the future! Let's go!
1. retrofit soot particle filter
A soot particle filter serves to reduce the particles present in the exhaust gas of diesel engines. By retrofitting ityou can specifically reduce increased emissions of harmful particulate matter, which can, for example, lead to the climate change or for general air pollution Contribute.
Additional Tip: A dirty air filter can also lead to higher fuel consumption, which is why you can make your car more environmentally friendly just by cleaning it regularly. Simply tap and vacuum it out, and it will live much longer.
2. pay attention to the tire pressure
Maybe you know it from the Bicycle ride: the higher the tire pressure, the faster and less strenuous it gets you from A to B. It's no different with your car. If you want to make your car more environmentally friendly, you should definitely check the tire pressure regularly.
This should preferably not 0.5 bar below the manufacturer's recommendation lie. Finally, your tires last longer, because the lower friction less Microplastics arises. In addition, fuel consumption is significantly lower.
Tip: Fuel can also be saved by using low-friction tires and low-friction oils, as the frictional resistance of the engine is reduced!
3. clean or replace catalyst
A defective or only slightly functional catalytic converter inhibits the performance of the engine. Dein Auto beschleunigt in der Folge beispielsweise spürbar langsamer. Auch eine zunehmende Geräuschkulisse deutet darauf hin, dass du dir besser einen neuen Katalysator besorgen musst bzw. dass der „Kat“ fachmännisch ausgewechselt, gereinigt oder repariert werden sollte.
4. conversion to electric car
More and more people are having their old gasoline or diesel engine fitted with an electric motor in order to with the green electricity charged at home to be fundamentally more environmentally friendly on the road. There are now even startups that specialize in converting classic car models to the age of electric cars. In principle, any model can be converted.
Notice: Compared to many of the other tips in this article, the conversion to an e-car is definitely the most expensive. However, you will be exempt from vehicle tax for 10 years, for example.
5. remove roof rack
If you have a roof rack on your car and don't need it every day, you should remove it. The additional weight and the air resistance when driving scratch the environmental friendliness of your car.
6. avoid unnecessary electronics
The more electronics, the more gasoline it requires to generate power and due to the extra weight. Therefore, try to reduce the electronic devices in the car to a minimum and do without fat sound systems or a constantly running air conditioner.
7. rent car to others
You can use your car flexibly and private to friends or also officially lend to other people via sharing platforms. With the latter idea you can even save money through sustainable behavior or take.
Either way: The more people share the carthe more sustainable it is in the end, since fewer people have to buy their own car.
8. have the fault memory read out
Is the check engine light flashing? Then you should head straight to the workshop of your choice. But even if no light is onRegular reading of your car's fault memory can make sense in order to detect and eliminate malfunctions or technical defects.
With the help of a On-board diagnostics mechanics can then also monitor all systems that affect exhaust emissions while the car is in operation and provide further info on which problems or behaviors may have a negative impact on average consumption.
9. remove unnecessary ballast from the car
Your car should not become a storage place for Beer crates, cardboard boxes, sports bags or garbage can be converted. Just make sure that you don't drive your car around with unnecessary ballast to make it even more environmentally friendly. That way, you can save a liter or two of fuel in the long run.
Tip: By the way, in fact, the use of a car is even more environmentally friendly if the driver also works on its weight and drop a few pounds in a healthy way lets 😉
10. environmentally compatible and car-friendly use
Making the car itself environmentally friendly is one thing - using it in an ecological way is another. Here are some eco tips that can help you:
- Avoid car trips
- No full throttle
- Shift up early enough
- Carpool
- …
The list is basically endless. In the article about sustainable driving I name and explain all the important advice. Have fun with the implementation!
Any car can be made a little more environmentally friendly with the simplest means!
So even an older car can be made even more environmentally friendly - even by simple means! I hope that the tips from this article will help you, save you unexpected repair costs and extend the life of your vehicle by a few years.
Do you have any questions, suggestions or further advice? Then I look forward to your comment under this post.
Stay sustainable,
PS.: Look you with pleasure still something in the sustainable mobility blog around! There you will learn, for example, here you can get to work as environmentally friendly as possible. Have fun!
