Green your wheels

BY MICHAEL ANTHONY

If a hybrid vehicle is out of your price range, it doesn’t mean that you can’t travel green in your gas-only wheels. Here are eight quick, easy, and (dare we say it?!) fun ways to morph yourself from gas guzzler to a planet-savvy traveler.

Travel Light: Your backseat was not meant to be a storage center, and hauling around the extra weight from miscellaneous items unnecessarily wastes gas. So empty all that junk in your trunk, and get yourself a storage space, stat!

Tune In: A properly tuned car uses less gas. Therefore, regularly check that your tires are properly inflated, your air filters are in good working order, and that you’re up to date on oil changes.

A/C Off: On a hot SoCal afternoon, flip off the air conditioning and roll down all the windows (backseat too, so the air circulates); it’s just that simple!

Un-Road Rage: Driving like a maniac on the highway is unsafe, unsexy, and un-eco-friendly. Aggressive speeding, quick breaking, sudden lane changes, and excessive accelerating significantly up your vehicle’s fuel expenditure. When stuck in L.A. traffic, take a chill pill; you’ll get where you’re going… eventually.

Plan Fam Travel: If you’re a household with two (or more) cars, pre-plan. Take note of which of your vehicles have better gas mileage, and make it your primary automobile for group travels.

Do your Research: Does your gas station use earth-friendly nozzles? (Yes, there is such a thing!) Does your carwash use green cleaning products? Does your mechanic properly dispose of his oil? Chances are, you probably don’t know the answer to these important questions; educate yourself. Ask a company manager what their business is doing for the environment; if they don’t have a quick answer for you, you’re probably patronizing the wrong place.

Keep a “GRAP” Handy: Every time you drive, make sure that you have a GRAP (Green Roadside Assistance Package) in tow. It’s nothing fancy or expensive, but just a few quick items that will make your travels that much more green-friendly:

A water bottle: Instead of using bottled water and creating waste, fill this refillable sipper at the gym and throughout your daily travels.

Cloth shopping bags: Simply refuse to answer the question “Paper or Plastic?” when shopping; many stores now give a discount if you self-bag.

Tupperware: You’ll never doggie-bag the same way again.

A rag: For quick spills, a reusable rag trumps disposable towels. Wash and repeat.

Rechargeable AA batteries: On the road, batteries are king. Nix the disposable and use the rechargeable. They are just as effective and cost about the same.

Pool Resources: Face it; on L.A.’s highways, the carpool lane is the way to travel. So pack your three BFFs into your four-seater. Traveling en masse (whether it be to work or just another night on the town) is fun, and just think of all the cash you’ll save on valet. For more information on ride sharing, check out www.erideshare.com.

Earth-Friendlier cars on the Road Today

Many nonhybrids are now pulling close to the MPG (miles per gallon) ratios as their semi-electric counterparts, and most of them are doing it with a price tag of less than $20,000. The MPG nonhybrid list toppers of 2008 are:

Toyota Yaris: 36 Combined - 34 city / 39 highway

Honda Fit: 33 Combined - 31 city / 37 highway

Toyota Corolla: 33 Combined - 30 city / 38 highway

MINI Cooper: 33 Combined - 30 city / 37 highway

Honda Civic: 33 Combined - 30 city / 40 highway