The Hidden Costs of Gasoline

No doubt gas prices have been cramping your style. The average American driver now spends about $1900 on gas per year (based on $3.27 per gallon), and in the course of a year drives 12,500 miles on 580 gallons of gas. And experts believe that import oil prices will continue to rise. But reducing the amount of gas you consume is not only helpful for your wallet – it is the key to reducing our collective impact on the environment.

Your car is your largest single impact on the environment -- a full 21% of our total environmental impact. In one year, a typical car will emit 5.5 tons of CO2 per year. A light truck or large SUV will emit about 8 tons. All together, this accounts for a full 20% of CO2 pollution in the U.S. -- 2.2 trillion tons!

According to the The Energy Information Administration cars and light trucks are also responsible for emitting about 200,000 tons of Nitrous Oxides. This is a big deal considering the stuff is 273 times more damaging than CO2. Yikes...

If you tackled every suggestion below, you'd save about $1,350 dollars and 3.5 tons of CO2 a year. This would reduce your total environmental impact by over 13%! So if you're ready to save money and cool the planet, start greening your car today.

Save $800 or more on your Gasoline

• Change your air filters and oil regularly and pocket a cool $150 yearly savings.
• Chill out -- Aggressive driving is costing you $350.
• Get a Tune-Up and you'll save another $50.
• Roll down your windows in the summer and save $50.
• Stop Idling -- just 5 minutes a day will cost you $50 or more
• Pressurize your tires and lighten your trunk load and save $50.
• Take your time -- your car loves slow driving and will reward you with another $50.
• Buy a Hybrid and save an additional $550 or more!