People mostly drive these days for necessity, rather than fun, due to lack of walkable routes and good public transport. Electric cars and car-sharing clubs are two options. Buying a car is hideously expensive, and driving can also be dangerous, stressful and a huge waste of time, if spending time stuck in traffic jams.
You can’t have a ‘green car’ but you can drive less and make simple swaps. Read Cutting Your Car Use, a great little book on recycled paper with fun illustrations and 100 simple tips. The author is England’s first traffic reduction consultant (she walks most places, uses a folding bike, and now and then takes a taxi or hires a car).
Never leave dogs in (even warm) cars, as temperatures quickly heat up (even with air-con – same for glass conservatories). If you see a dog in a hot car, smash the window, move the animal to a shady area and apply cool (not cold) water and call the vet, RSPCA and police. Likely dog guardians will feel too guilty to charge you with criminal damage (they will hopefully thank you). Also read tips on making roads safer for wildlife.
let your mechanic change antifreeze
Antifreeze is lethal to pets & wildlife, so let your mechanic change it in an enclosed space. If you do change it yourself, use a funnel (as with oil) and use sand or kitty litter to absorb spills (don’t mop).
Keep Your Car Regularly Serviced
- Click Mechanic lets you book vetted local mechanics for repairs, services & MOTs. They don’t have high overheads so prices are good.
- Use a windscreen cover over toxic de-icers (parking your car east will defrost the screen early morning). Or rub half an onion on the screen the night before (the oil lines the glass to stop freezing – keep onions away from pets).
- Switch to a waterless biodegradable car wash (good for the planet and also helps to avoid exploitation of migrants who often are employed at ‘supermarket car wash’ outlets).
Do Checks (before buying used cars)
- If buying a used car, AA has tips on what to watch out for. This includes ‘cut-and-shut (two damaged cars welded together), cloning (replacing number plates) and clocking (adjusting mileage).
- Don’t check cars in the rain (water hides dents and scratches) and insist on seeing service history and V5C vehicle registration document.
- ETA (Environmental Transport Association) offers vehicle inspection checks (plus eco-friendly insurance/breakdown cover).
- Learn how to donate your scrap car to charity. Scrap metal is sold to benefit your favourite cause. Fill in proper paperwork with DVLA, to avoid a hefty fine.
