Whether we realize it or not, we all can do our part in preserving the health of our planet and the environment. During the month of April, and during Earth Day, many people are dedicated to spreading awareness and sharing the importance of daily eco-sustainable and eco-friendly habits. The truth is a little effort goes a long way. With everyone doing their part by consistently and proactively preserving the environment, we could all improve the quality of air we breathe, reducing waste and reducing our overall carbon footprint.

A great place to start assessing and improving your day-to-day environmentally-friendly practices is with your car and how you use it. Even if you don’t live in a state where eco and green-friendly standards are the norm, it’s still your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle isn’t causing more harm to the environment. If you can’t ride a bike or walk to your destination, or carpool, here are some easy tips on how to help the planet and be a greener driver with some tips to keep your car a bit more efficient.

Replace the air filter

If you neglect your air filter, your car is taking in (and emitting) particles and impurities that the environment is then soaking in. Knowing how to change your car’s air filter is a great skill, plus when your air filter gets clogged or dirty, replacing it could help you save as much as 10% on your car’s gas mileage.¹  If you calculate how much you spend on gas each week and reduce that number by 10%… then multiply it by 4 weeks – that’s extra green (money) saved in your wallet each month.

Change to a synthetic motor oil

Synthetic motor oil lasts longer and has energy-efficient compounds. It also doesn’t require additional petroleum resulting in less oil that needs to be drilled from the ocean floor. Synthetic oil doesn’t use the same chemicals that break down in higher temperatures that petroleum-based oils do, meaning less impact on the ozone layer and planet overall.

Clean out your trunk

When your car’s trunk is full and carries a lot of weight, it causes your engine to work that much harder just to achieve the same speed. With a lighter load, your car works more efficiently and uses far less gas to go the same distance.

Drive slower

Putting the pedal to the metal may work for action heroes and NASCAR drivers, but it’s only wasting money and causing more emissions to hit the environment’s atmosphere. Go green and take it slow. But if you actively drive at 60 MPH or under, not only will you reduce the risk of a traffic ticket or a crash, you can also save on your fuel economy by as much as 15%.²

Have emissions checked

If you’ve a long journey ahead then it’ll benefit you to have your car serviced and have a mechanic check that everything is working as it should. More importantly, it’s worth getting the emissions checked during this time. If there’s a problem with any part of the exhaust system, then your car could be spewing harmful fumes into the environment.

Plan your journey

Rather than being on the road at peak times and sitting for hours in traffic with the engine idling, if possible, consider driving when most people aren’t on the road. Similarly, check whether an alternative route may be quicker – even if it’s longer in overall distance. If it’s less popular then there’s a chance it’ll take less time. It’s estimated that an idling car produces up to 150 balloons of exhaust emissions, containing environmentally harmful chemicals, every minute.³

It’s electric

Many insurance companies may offer discounts or rewards for driving a hybrid vehicle. The average hybrid vehicle discount varies but typically it can save you about 10% off your premium.⁴ Many insurance companies will also offer discounts to those who drive vehicles that use alternative energy sources. Alternative energy sources include bio-diesel, electricity, natural gas, hydrogen and ethanol.

Go paperless

A popular way to go green is to reduce waste and saving trees by going paperless. Along with being extremely environmentally friendly, going paperless also reduces clutter. Some insurance companies offer the option to go paperless and communicate account details digitally.

Short commutes for the win

One of the best kept secrets is that some insurance companies will offer low-mileage discounts if you have a short commute to and from work – including whether you work from home or take public transportation to work. Not only are short commutes great for the driver but the environment, as well.

Take your trash with you

Ensure that your cartons, bottles and food wrappers don’t end up alongside the road. Collect and dispose of trash properly. Not only will this reduce the work for the army of volunteers tasked and dedicated to keeping our communities clean, but it will hopefully mean less pollution and a cleaner, greener environment for everyone.

When assessing your impact on the environment, whenever possible, it’s always best to go with options that are less harmful to the planet. Making smart financial decisions that are also eco-sustainable and eco-friendly can not only save you money, but it’ll also help the planet and others in the long run. To find carriers who reward customers for being environmentally friendly and who offer some of the best insurance rates available, click here to compare car insurance quotes the smart way with Answer Financial.