Conversion vans can be a better choice for your wallet and the environment by following a few simple tips.
Our environmental impact has become a huge concern in science, media, economics, and just about every other facet of life. With threats like drought, flooding, and climate change, people are asking how our world will look in fifty years, and many don’t like the answer. Heated political and scientific debates on the validity and risk of global warming continue to be waged around the world.
However, whether you think global warming and climate change is happening or not is irrelevant when it comes to our responsibility as humans-to preserve our environment the best we can for future generations. We all want the best for our children and grandchildren, and that includes a healthy, clean world for them to thrive in.
Conversion vans already have an edge on other cars on the environmental front. Because of their size and ability to comfortably hold the whole family, conversion vans consolidate family travel by allowing more people to ride in one vehicle-in short, less cars on the road.
But to even further reduce the environmental impact (as well as the impact on your wallet), there are a few simple maintenance tips that owners can follow to get the most out of their conversion van.
1. Check the Tires Regularly
Making sure you have the right tire pressure is a good habit for any vehicle, but especially with conversion vans. Not only are deflated or overinflated tires dangerous, but they wear out much quicker, causing you to spend more money to fix them and wasting resources that could last longer if properly maintained. Improper tire pressure also increases the overall engine strain on the van as it works harder to move the wheels, which wears out the crucial parts of the van faster and puts more exhaust into the atmosphere.
Most conversion vans come with an owner’s manual that specifies the recommended tire pressure of your specific van, or the information can be found on a label inside the driver’s door. If you have neither, consult your conversion van dealer to make sure you maintain the ideal tire pressure in your vehicle.
2. Slow Down
At first this doesn’t seem like common sense. Won’t it be better for the environment and my wallet if I get to my destination faster, spending less time on the road? The answer, surprisingly, is a resounding no.
Once a vehicle surpasses speeds of 55 mpg, its gas mileage decreases drastically, as much as 15% in most cases. Quick acceleration, braking, and even sudden lane shifts have been also proven to reduce gas mileage.
A simple solution is to go easy on the lead foot and drive smoothly. Conversion vans with cruise control can be a huge saver in this area.
3. Keep it Maintained
Just like with any vehicle, keeping your conversion van running smoothly will greatly benefit your wallet and the environmental impact. Regular oil changes, tune-ups, fuel system cleaners, and other minor repairs can make a huge difference when it comes to saving gas and limiting engine exhaust.
4. Reduce the Weight
One of the great features of conversion vans is their load capacity. The size of vans can accommodate luggage, groceries, gifts, you name it. Unfortunately, all this excess weight can lower your gas mileage and cause the engine to work double-time. The more weight you load into the van, the more gas you will need to move it and the more exhaust is released.
Consider only keeping what you need in the van, including seats. Many van seats are removable, so if you won’t have passengers for a while, removing the extra seats can significantly cut down on the vans overall weight and gas mileage.
5. Don’t Idle
If you find yourself sitting in your conversion van while it’s running for a long period of time-for example, trains or traffic jam-consider shutting off the engine. In fact, vans idling for more than a minute use more gas than it takes to turn off and restart the engine. Idling vans get zero gas mileage and release exhaust the whole time.
It’s not hard to be environmentally conscious and conscientious. By following these simple steps, conversion van owners can use proper maintenance to keep their family safe, their wallets thicker, and the air cleaner.