Eco-Friendly Driving Tips and Car Care

From boosting fuel efficiency to using greener car care products, drivers can do a lot to reduce their environmental impact. Small changes to your habits can have a major impact, especially when you stick with them for the long term.

With Earth Day serving as an important annual reminder of our shared duty to protect the planet, here are some powerful yet practical environmentally friendly driving and car care tips.

Reduce Your Environmental Impact with Eco-Driving

According to a 2021 scientific review, driving behaviors account for up to 30% of your vehicle's overall energy consumption. By optimizing your driving habits for energy efficiency, you can minimize your impact on the environment and reduce your fuel consumption by 15% to 25% if you drive a gasoline-powered vehicle.

The potential to save energy is even more dramatic for EV and hybrid drivers. The same report found that eco-driving can cut energy consumption by as much as 25% in EVs and up to a whopping 50% in hybrid models.

Eco-driving includes specific principles for minimizing the environmental impacts of your vehicle usage. It involves actively engaging with three main factors:

• Vehicle purchase and maintenance decisions
• Driving habits and behaviors
• Travel choices

Let's break down each of these factors.

Vehicle Purchase and Maintenance Decisions

Eco-driving starts with your choice of vehicle. While you may not be in the market for a new car at the moment, it's good to know what to look for from a sustainability standpoint when selecting one. You can then seek out a more energy-efficient model next time you buy.

To that end, there's good news. Automakers around the world are prioritizing sustainability more and more with each passing year. EVs have made huge inroads over the past decade, and an electric model is a great place to start if you want to drive more sustainably. For helpful electric vehicle research and shopping tips, review our article on what to know before you buy an EV.

At the same time, electric vehicles aren't yet practical for everyone. If you're in that boat, consider a hybrid. According to Green America, hybrid vehicles deliver fuel efficiency improvements of 20% to 35% compared to gas-only models.

If you elect to buy a gas-powered vehicle, try to prioritize fuel efficiency ratings when choosing a make and model. According to the Federal Highway Administration, cars have average overall fuel efficiencies of 24.4 miles per gallon (MPG). Aim to at least match that level when selecting your next vehicle.

Go Greener With Your Car Care

Environmentally friendly driving goes beyond what you do when you're on the road and extends to routine vehicle care. These sustainability tips and suggestions can help you make a difference:

• Get Regular Preventative Maintenance

Regular car care and maintenance will optimize your car's energy efficiency over the long run. Change your oil, filters, and spark plugs on recommended timelines. Get regular tune-ups to keep things running right, and have a technician inspect and service your fuel system at least once a year.
 

• Use Eco-Friendly Car Wash

Your car's exterior needs specially formulated soaps, waxes, and protective products. In the past, these were filled with hazardous and toxic chemicals. Today, manufacturers are much more environmentally aware and eco-friendly car cleaners are widely available — both on the shelf for DIY washes, and professional eco-friendly car wash services. Seek them out and give your ride an eco-friendly car wash.
 

• Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

If your tires are over- or under-inflated, your gas mileage will suffer. For most vehicles, proper pressure levels fall in the range of 28–36 pounds per square inch (PSI). Identify the correct range for your car, and keep your tires within it at all times.

For our part, PEAK is making strong investments in developing innovative and sustainable product lines. Our ECOSHIELD antifreeze and coolant is a great example. Launched exclusively at Walmart in April 2024, ECOSHIELD is made with 95% renewable ingredients. It's also less toxic to kids, pets, and the environment—all without compromising signature PEAK performance.

Driving Habits and Behaviors

Adopting environmentally friendly driving habits is one of the best ways to reduce your transportation-related carbon footprint. You'll also save money by improving your vehicle's fuel or electricity efficiency. Whether you drive a gas-powered, hybrid, or electric vehicle, these tips will help you be a smarter, safer, and more efficient driver:

Maintain a Steady Speed

When you're constantly speeding up and slowing down, you increase your fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Aim to maintain the steadiest speed that traffic conditions permit.

Brake Gently

That back-and-forth between your accelerator and your brakes wreaks havoc on your fuel efficiency. Avoid slamming on your brakes, and instead apply them evenly and gently. Even better, coast to slow down whenever road conditions allow.

Ditch Extra Weight

The more weight your vehicle carries, the harder it has to work and the more gas or electricity it will use. Before each trip, remove all unnecessary cargo and equipment from your vehicle's roof, interior, and trunk. 

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving habits include rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding. According to the Department of Energy, aggressive driving can reduce your gas mileage by 15% to 30% on the highway and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go city traffic. Improve your vehicle's efficiency and make the road safer for yourself and others by ditching these bad habits.

Use "Eco Mode" or Cruise Control

Many newer vehicles offer what's known as "eco mode," which reduces engine activity to save energy. You can find this feature in gas-powered, hybrid, and electric vehicles alike, and it's best used during city driving. On the highway, activate your cruise control to save gas or electricity by setting and maintaining a constant speed.

Travel Choices

Last but not least, remember that environmentally friendly driving also involves making smarter travel choices. Adopt these best practices whenever possible:

• Optimize Your Route

Route optimization can dramatically cut down on your idling time. Apps like Google Maps, Waze, Speedy Route, Maps, and many others can help you find routes that avoid congestion, construction, road closures, and other enemies of efficiency.
 

• Combine Trips

By combining trips, you'll save gas/electricity while reducing wear and tear on your vehicle. Designate one day each week as errand day, and do all your shopping then. You can also integrate errands with other trips: stop for groceries on the way home from work, or pop by the mall after dropping off your kids at school.
 

• Drive at Off-Peak Times

Whenever possible, avoid driving during morning and evening rush hours. You'll save gas and help cut down on ambient exhaust pollution while making life a little easier for the people who have to be on the road.

Keep Your Car in PEAK Shape

Combining environmentally friendly driving with smart car care is the most effective way to reduce your transportation-related impacts. PEAK offers specially formulated automotive products to keep your vehicle running efficiently, smoothly, and safely.

Explore industry-leading PEAK products that can optimize your vehicle's performance and help extend its lifespan. Your car—and the environment—will thank you.