How to Maintain (or Buy) a Greener Car

In August 2010 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began redesigning the fuel economy label consumers see on the window of new vehicles in dealer showrooms beginning with 2012 models. The new label will provide new information about fuel economy and consumption, fuel costs, and environmental impacts (tailpipe emissions) of new cars and light-duty trucks.

Meanwhile, the EPA has these tips for greening up your handicap accessible car:

• Maintain your vehicle properly. A poorly maintained vehicle can pollute significantly more than one that is well maintained. An accessible vehicle should be checked twice a year. Ask your dealer which parts of accessible equipment you can check yourself.
• Refuel wisely. When the weather is warm, try to refuel early in the morning or late in the evening. This will reduce the release of smog-forming gas emissions during the heat of the day, when smog forms most easily. Never top off your tank beyond the automatic shutoff point.
• Check the air pressure in your tires regularly. Morning is the best time as they heat up as you drive, giving a false reading. It takes 30 minutes for them to cool down. They should be inflated per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Under inflated tires affect the way your car handles, the time it takes to stop, reduce gas mileage and shorten the life of your tires.

Start researching now for your next new handicap accessible vehicle:

• Choose a cleaner vehicle. Use EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide at www.epa.gov/greenvehicles to choose the cleanest vehicle available that meets your needs. The choice you make affects the quality of the air we breathe because vehicles are major contributors to air pollution.
• Choose a more fuel-efficient vehicle. The better gas mileage a vehicle gets the less fuel it burns. That means less pollution and less carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) are added to the atmosphere. To select a more fuel-efficient vehicle, visit the Green_. Vehicle Guide.

This mobility safety update has been brought to you by NMEDA – the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? Contact a NMEDA dealer in your local area. Your local NMEDA member is a mobility equipment and accessibility expert!