Drive for Mother Nature

I know my previous (and first!) entry is entitled Road Signs Part 1 (and there will be a Part 2) but I watched the news a while ago and there was this environment report on how much trees US is losing per year. This is, of course, due to the industrialization and the continuous construction of cities and buildings and what have you's. While various organizations have been set up and several laws implemented for the benefit of beloved Mother Nature, as drivers, we know we can do our part, and we do have a role. So I thought of blogging a few car tips that aim to not harm Mother Nature, most of which I'm sure we're aware of but can sometimes forget.

1. Get the Right Tire Pressure

Make sure your tires are not too soft as this creates greater friction between the road and the rubber and the harder your engine will have to work to get you to your destination. The usual tire pressure on our cars are often nowhere near the recommended pressure. And even if your pressure's off by just four pounds, this can reduce your mileage by 10 percent.

Be careful to not overinflate your tires as well. Too much air can jeopardize your driving and cause a tire to explode.

2. Dispose Fluids Properly

Our cars contain various toxic fluids like brake fluid, motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze and battery acid. These fluids can become toxic pollutants if not disposed of properly. Make sure these are thrown properly.

3. Get Your Car Serviced Regularly

This is an important step to minimize emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. Regular service can spot lots of problems that lessen gas mileage and increase pollution. Among these problems are a broken thermostat, low transmission fluid, or a dirty air filter.

4. Careful on the Octane!

Many drivers occasionally "treat" their car to premium gas, thinking that by doing such, they're benefiting their engine or the environment. Which is actually false. Modern engines don't require premium gas and don't benefit from it in any way. Experts actually say excess octane creates more pollution. So unless your owner's manual specifically calls for the use of premium gas, don't use it, as regular gas is less expensive and harmful to the environment.

ROAD SIGNS (Part I)

It's surprising to know how many drivers are not familiar with road signs. Motorists seemed to have developed selective blindness and often takes these flashy signs for granted. But what these kinds of drivers carelessly push aside could be a warning or an instruction that are supposed to be followed, and for good reason. Accidents are nasty, and we all want to prevent them.

TRIVIA: The primitive road signs are believed to be milestones that gives a hint of distance or direction. For instance, stone columns were erected by ancient Romans oll over their empire, and gave distance to Rome. It was during the middle ages that road signs at intersections became a common sight, and gave directions to certain destinations.

WARNING SIGNS (Turns and Curves):

To familiarize fledgling drivers, here are some warning signs that you should take note of when taking your wheels for a drive:

From left to right, top to bottom: Turn, 270 degree curve, hairpin curves, truck rollover, one direction, winding road, reverse curve, reverse turn, curve with suggested speed, curve, turn with suggested speed, chevron