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HEELS ON WHEELS: TOP 10 GREEN AUTO TIPS & TRICKS FOR WOMEN


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HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

What exactly does it mean to go green with autos? The term 'green' casts many different shades. One could be referring to using cleaner fuels or car products such as soap for your current car. Green is also a code word for frugal or cost-efficient, so we could be talking about money-saving tips.

At any rate, you're about to simultaneously save the green Earth while saving green money. Although there are far more than 10 green tips or tricks with autos, here's our top items to give yourself some sustainable color.

Tip #1: Recycle autos by buying used. The moment you drive a vehicle off the lot, it looses 20 percent of its value because it is a depreciating asset. Buying used always allows you to buy more car for your money. Also, you can purchase retread tires when the time comes.

Tip #2: Use green (cash) in your next car purchase. Car loans are understandable necessities. But be prepared to pay 20 percent of the total car purchase in the form of a cashier's check, no matter how great the low interest rate is on your loan. No-money-down loans or pay-later ideas will be offered if you have great credit, but you'll always regret taking on more debt than you have to.

Tip #3: Treat your car like you treat your skin. If you give life to this object, chances are you'll treat it better. Keep your car out of the sun (heat can evaporate gas as well as warp leather). Wash it when it needs it and learn to perform routine maintenance. This also means finding a trustworthy mechanic who won't try to rope you into a lot of extras – shop around and ask friends for referrals.

Tip #4: Don't be blinded by the branding light of a different color. Keep your eye diverted from the hyped-up marketing strategies for those luxury vehicles looking to sell you a better lifestyle. You need a car that meets your everyday driving needs and can sustain on alternative fuels (or at least have a low mpg). To avoid buyer's remorse, look for valve over a logo.

Tip #5: Keep it simple and scale back on upgraded packages. If you are buying a new car, you have high-and-low end choices on any vehicle model. New standards are making a lot of items you used to pay for in packages free, like power seating, steering wheel controls, and even navigation systems. Stay away from car models or trims whose interior only looks good when featuring those add-ons – they cost thousands more than the base price.

Tip #6: Consider your vehicle as your only means for vacation travel. Whether or not it's green to own a big SUV is a hot debate. If you have a small home, reduce your meat intake and stop traveling by plane but car instead, you and your SUV's carbon footprint might not be as harmful as many others who cannot reduce in above mentioned areas. It takes a holistic view to correctly measure your greenness.

Tip #7: Not all big cars are evil – and all hybrids aren't saints. The 3-row Toyota Highlander Hybrid is tested at getting 24-mpg overall. Some hybrid cars – the costly, luxury brands – don't compute to saving you as much money in the long run as other hybrids. Best to search here on The Auto Channel for the right vehicle!

Tip #8: Know your green auto Wish List's Top 5. If you are lucky enough to be shopping for a new car – or just daydreaming about the next one – focus on your must-have green vehicle attributes, like low mpg or hybrid engine. If you are stuck with the same old auto, a green wish list works the same way: Create 5 items you'd like to improve on your car or driving, such as commuting once a week, not using imported oil, or washing with greener cleaning products.

Tip #9: Hear the loud hum of the EV (Electric Vehicle) movement. EV vehicles and their charging infrastructures are coming to a neighborhood near you. Deals are already being made to place charging stations in over 48 states. Large auto companies (like the Renault-Nissan Alliance) and smaller private firms (like Miles Electric Vehicles) are paving the way – don't let this good auto news be droned out over any bad auto news you might be hearing.

Tip #10: Learn from your former not-so-green auto behaviors. Unfavorable auto habits include (but are not limited to): accelerating uphill; slamming on the brakes; driving over the speed limit; idling your car; carrying around too much junk in the truck; deflated tires; not keeping up on minor car maintenance, such as changing (or checking) your fluids.