MYC Goes Green
ModYourCar.com is committed to going green and becoming the online leader in green car management.
What does it mean to Go Green?
It means to promote sustainable development without compromising future generations and to reduce the world’s carbon footprint.
Why do we need to Go Green?
With devastating events like Hurricane Katrina, worsening bushfire seasons and persistent droughts it is obvious that our climate is changing. If we don’t take charge now, the results will not only be devastating for us but even worse for our children.
Motor vehicles emit greenhouse gases. In Australia in 2004, cars contributed 41.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gases, which is 7.4% of total national emissions. Trucks and light commercial vehicles contributed 26.2 million tonnes. Together these represent 12% of Australia’s total emissions and since 1990 this figure has increased by 25%.
Being in the automotive industry ModYourCar.com feels a responsibility to provide you with not only premium products but products that serve a greater purpose – our planet.
How ModYourCar.com is Going Green?
- All newsletters and correspondence are sent electronically, i.e. e-mail;
- Dan (the big boss) drives the eco-friendly Smart Roadster;
- MYC recycles all office paper and packaging;
- MYC uses “digital documents”, i.e. having the agenda and notes on the computer rather than paper;
- MYC offers green cleaning products for your car; and
- MYC switches off office equipment after hours and uses energy efficent lighting.
How you can Go Green?
Going green can be as easy or as hard as you wish to make it.
By visiting http://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au you can find out how green your car is. The Green Vehicle Guide provides an overall rating for all new cars sold in Australia based on their combined greenhouse rating and air pollution rating.
Whats the benefits of choosing a green car?
A green car can not only save you thousands of dollars on fuel but will help conserve the environment for generations to come. Choosing a greener car can have a direct financial benefit for you as well as helping to conserve our environment for all Australians and future generations.
How can I be greener?
By following the steps below you can save money, time and the environment. >
Minimise your vehicle use
Plan your trips ahead to minimise unecessary travelling, making the trip far cheaper and more efficient. Some travel planning tips:
- Plan to do a number of errands in one trip rather than several trips (for the first couple of minutes of a car trip the engine is cold and this results in an increase in fuel consumption per kilometre).
- Visit shops that are closest to you or choose to cycle or walk.
- Avoid peak-hour traffic whenever possible.
- Use alternative transport, eg. public transport (bus, train, tram or ferry), walking or cycling. These alternative methods of travel are often cheaper, and may provide other benefits including increased fitness.
Drive in high gear
It is best to drive in the 1,500 to 2,500 RPM range where the engine runs most efficiently. To maintain these low revs you should change up through the gears as soon as practical and before the revs reach 2,500 RPM. Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.
Drive smoothly – avoid unnecessary acceleration
By driving at a reasonable distance from the car in front you are able to anticipate things such as traffic lights changing or cars turning and are therefore able minimise your fuel use through braking and accelerating back up to full speed.
Minimise fuel wasted in idling
When stopped for extended periods it pays to stop your engine. You will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine.
Speed kills economy
High speeds equals high fuel consumption. At 110 km/h your car uses up to 25% more fuel than it would cruising at 90 km/h.
Minimise aerodynamic drag
Fuel consumption can be increased by up to 20% when having additional parts on the exterior of a vehicle such as roof racks and spoilers, or having the window open.
Look after your vehicle’s tyres
Keep your tyres inflated to the manufacturers specification as this will not only reduce your fuel consumption but also extend tyre life and improve handling.
Use air conditioning sparingly
Air conditioners can use about 10% extra fuel when operating. However, at speeds of over 80 km/h, use of air conditioning is better for fuel consumption than an open window.
Travel light
Don’t carry more people or cargo than you have to. The more a vehicle carries the more fuel it uses; an extra 50kg of weight can increase your fuel bill by around 2%.
Service your vehicle regularly
Keeping your vehicle well tuned will minimise its environmental impact.
