Of course you'd rather take the bus. Or the train. Or ride your bike. Or walk! But the reality is that 97 percent of Sierra Club members own at least one car, and presumably drive it occasionally. It's a statistic we hope gets better soon. But until it does, those of us who still burn dinosaur bones to get around can make sure that our car-care products, at least are responsible. These five vehicle accoutrements will help green your ride.
Fuel is made of petroleum. So are most tires. But natural rubber helps YOKOHAMA'S Avid Ascend tire prevent using up more than 100 gallons of gas -- and letting out more than 2,100 pounds of carbon dioxide -- over its life. That says a lot, given that this reinvented wheel goes 17,000 miles farther than most. Its rolling resistance rate is 20 percent lower than that of conventional tires, but performance doesn't suffer: Grooves channel water away while orange oil improves grip and reduces the need for virgin rubber. Price varies by region; check with dealers (If you prefer to invest in high-quality used tires, check
out champtires.com.)
Running your vehicle through a car wash uses more than 45 gallons of water and lots of chemical suds. The hose-in-the-driveway method can waste even more, and the grimy runoff goes into storm drains. Instead, use the Waterless Car Wash by ECO TOUCH, a popular product that evokes Karate Kid Zen: Just spray on, then wipe off. Your car will look shiny, clean, scratch-free. And the liquid is biodegradable, phosphate-free, and nontoxic, since its key ingredients are plant-derived. Thanks to citrus essential oils, it smells nice too. $13 for a 24-ounce bottle
You'd think nothing could be more petrochemical than motor oil, but VALVOLINE has good options both conventional and synthetic. The brand's MaxLife NextGen High Mile Motor Oil is 50 percent recycled and double-refined to extend engine life and improve fuel efficiency. It's manufactured via a process that uses 90 percent less energy than cranking out standard engine oil. $5.50 for a 1-quart bottle
Forget those dangling trees. They may be shaped like the Sierra Club's logo, but there's nothing natural about those chemical-swathed "pines." To freshen your car, choose an organic plant-oil spray like AMALA's spritzable mists in peppermint, lavender, or rose (all of which work on clothes toon -- so long, Febreze!). The German company never tests on animals and is certified by Natrue. $24
--product photos by Lori Eanes; tire photo courtesy of Yokohama
This article originally appeared in Sierra magazine.
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