5 minutes of caring
Start Last
Put the breaks on cranking up. It's very tempting and quite habitual for us to start our cars right when we hop in. Then, we put on the seatbelt, fiddle with the mirrors, find a radio station, take a swig of coffee, and then head out. And even though it doesn't seem like a long time, any extra seconds spent idling are seconds we're wasting gas, burning money, and harming the environment. The next time you get ready to get going, start the car last. By applying a proper order to your pre-drive routine, you'll be doing the environment and your wallet a great service.
CommentsAriah commented, on February 8, 2008 at 4:05 p.m.: I have to say though, some of us NEED to start our car first, and that's to make sure that it actually starts. Sheri Tyler commented, on May 30, 2008 at 5:44 a.m.: Some of us got into the habit for a totally different reason. I think my son was almost in middle school before he realized that the car could start without having our seatbelts secured. Now we have another good reason. Post a commentYou must be a registered user to post comments. |
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jehan commented, on February 8, 2008 at 7:31 a.m.:
wow, I've been doing this for ages. Granted, I live in texas so running the car to let it heat up isn't a big problem. And I keep my car in my garage, so it doesn't ever get so hot that I have to run the car to get the a/c going.
But yah, I always put the keys in the ignition, then do my 'startup' procedures (put on my seatbelt, check out the cutie on the other side of the parking lot, secure my briefcase in the passenger seat, set up my gps if i plan on using it, etc) for the exact reason of saving the environment- it's the whole 'nickel and dime' concept. All those nickels and dimes you spend on 'extras' or save from being frugal add up!