Mission Possible: driving eco-friendly

Operation: Eco Driving Level-up

Your Code Name: Toggle Hawk 4000 

Classification: Eco Agent 

Status: Active 

Equipment: Motor Vehicle 

Hello Agent Toggle Hawk 4000, 

Congratulations. You’ve been selected to participate in the much anticipated, and super extremely official, “Operation: Eco Driving Level-up.” The information you’re about to receive is HIGHLY UNCLASSIFIED. This means NOT top secret. Actually, as a top-notch Eco Agent, we want you to share the things you learn in this blog with as many people as possible. So, what’s the mission? Save the world, obviously. Do you accept? OK, great.  

Don’t worry. As a modern insurance company, we are here to assist you along the way. Just jump over to GetToggle.com to get a Toggle® Auto Insurance quote, and we’ll have you covered in minutes. We have deciphered our eco-friendly driving intel and have laid it out for you in easy-to-follow phases below.

Let’s get started. 

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Phase 1: Get your car ready with an eco tune-up.  

Remember, in this scenario, you’re Agent Toggle Hawk 4000, the fictional “eco super agent” dealing with a very real problem. It’s time to tune up your state-of-the-art equipment, which means your car. The better your high-octane auto runs, the less octane you’ll actually use. Plus, a properly maintained car causes less air pollution. Not only does this help the environment but it can allow you to save money on gas, which means you can order more of those martinis you like. Shaken, not stirred, of course, Agent Toggle Hawk 4000. Always remember to hail a ride or take public transit (also good for the environment) after imbibing. Safety is important to us. If you want to save even more money, remember Toggle Auto is a great way to score cheap auto insurance. Secret agent automobile tune-up checklist below:

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Inspect your oil and top it off if needed. Regularly doing this is one of the easiest ways you can help extend the life of your car without regularly paying for costly tune-ups. Additionally, if you’re working against the clock, this task only takes a minute or two.

Change your oil altogether if needed. Possibly you have other missions that keep you busy. It’s still important that you find the time to change your oil per the recommended oil change interval listed in your car’s owner’s manual; to avoid overusing oil resources by changing it too early or causing your engine to run improperly by changing it too late. Make sure to follow EPA guidelines when disposing of your used oil. Wondering how to change your oil yourself? Here’s another helpful link.

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Properly inflate your tires. If your tires are improperly inflated, you can burn through a lot more gas. There’s no need to add more pain to the current gas prices that already burn. Making sure tires are properly inflated is another way to save on gas. Properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average and up to 3% in some cases (www.fueleconomy.gov). Many gas stations have places where you can check your air pressure, and most cars should come with information on recommended tire pressure. You can also take it into the shop for a fairly inexpensive tire pressure check.

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Inspect the tread on your tires. You will want to check your tire tread depth. This is how you’ll know when to get new tires. This isn’t just a safety thing. Having adequate tires can also save gas. Here’s how to use a quarter to check tire tread. Most auto shops also sell cheap devices to check this if you want to be more accurate. Finally, you may also want to visit the shop and rotate your tires to even the wear on them.

Replace your filters. Your car’s air filters help keep your car running efficiently, so here’s another tip on how to save gas. If you’re handy, removing the air filter and giving it a good cleaning can help extend its life and will help your vehicle run more efficiently. If you’ve had your air filter for more than 15,000 to 30,000 miles, it’s probably time to replace it with a new one. While it’s tempting to crank on the air full-blast to keep you from sweating through your custom-fitted suit, be mindful that your car’s AC impacts fuel consumption. Limit your AC usage and opt for riding with the windows down when you can for a nice eco-friendly breeze.

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Maintain your radiator. This one might sound a little daunting, but don’t worry. Making sure your radiator is performing at maximum capacity can be as simple as keeping the coolant filled at all times, keeping the cap on tight, and getting the radiator flushed and filled annually. Don’t touch a radiator when the car engine is hot, obviously, and filling the coolant involves checking the manual for the reservoir location to pour it in. 

Get an annual maintenance check. How do you think top-notch agents, such as yourself, stay extra polished and in tip-top shape? They take their cars in for an annual maintenance check. This ensures it’s running smoothly and has the best gas mileage possible. Regular car maintenance will allow you to catch major problems with your engine, which can further improve your fuel efficiency after you get any of those fixed. This can also save you from getting stranded on the side of the road due to a breakdown. If you do find yourself stranded, Toggle Auto does offer roadside assistance for those situations.

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Phase 2: Drive smart, not fast. 

We get it. You have places to be. People to see. Saving the world can keep you busy, but part of saving it is not revving the engine all the way up when you can. Gas mileage plummets rapidly above 60 mph. Excessive acceleration and braking can also reduce your gas mileage by 15% to 30% at highway speeds (www.fueleconomy.gov). Does cruise control save gas? It does. Basically cruise control regulates the throttle for you and helps your car to continue cruising at the exact same speed. So, take advantage of this feature when you’re on the highway because the momentum you gain from maintaining a constant speed reduces gas consumption. BTW Toggle can help you save time in other areas, like with almost instant auto insurance, for example. 

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Phase 3: Less junk in the trunk. 

If you tend to carry tons of really cool gear in your car, we don’t recommend this. Only take what you need. The lighter the car, the less fuel it burns.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Phase 4: Time for the eco-friendly driving gadgets.

Ever hear of a waterless car wash? We thought so. Well, you can save water and see your attractive reflection in your spotless car without. Be nice to the reservoirs and try out some of the many eco-friendly waterless car wash wipes and sprays. They are also great if you find yourself in the middle of the desert and the closest watering hole in sight is just a mirage.

Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

Washable car trash bag? Yep, it’s a thing. You should have one if you would like to go extreme with reducing your carbon footprint and also help to keep our oceans clean. Empty it, rinse it off, throw it in with your clothes in the wash, and then use it again.

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Why limit your efforts to protect the world? Why not protect your carpets while you’re at it? Recycled rubber mats let you do both and help to change the status quo when it comes to filling up landfills.

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

Phase 5: Pursue fuel-efficient cars. 

While it’s likely that we will all be zipping around in electric cars very soon, it’s fine if you’re not ready to switch over just yet. You can still find a gasoline car with great gas mileage, and it doesn’t have to be brand new. One way is to prioritize smaller vehicles when searching. Shout out to those 90s hatchbacks still rolling strong. Cars in the sedan and coupe families are also good to focus on for fuel efficiency. Anywhere 23 mpg and above can be considered a good benchmark for used cars nowadays. If you’re even a little electric-curious, try a used hybrid. Hybrid cars, including some hybrid SUVs, have a broad 30-50 mpg range for reference. Some newer models can even get around 58 mpg. 

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Phase 6: Go stealth with electric.  

If you want an almost silent, much more stealthy ride with superior energy efficiency to gas guzzlers, go electric. They’re the more eco-friendly cars. If you’re concerned about pricing, advancements in the production of electric cars have allowed for more affordable models to infiltrate the market. A lot of people say electric cars ride nicer too. With the battery pack placed in the center, they have a lower center of gravity, providing superior weight distribution and stability (afdc.energy.gov). Who doesn’t like improved cornering and rollover risk minimization? If you find that you do lose control, Toggle Auto insurance coverage may be able to help. In case others are involved in a wreck, Toggle Auto offers mutliple levels of liability coverage to fit your budget.

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Which, in this scenario, really just means it’s time to hit the road and take these eco-friendly driving tips for a spin. It’s time to work together to fight unnecessary carbon emissions that are exhausting the environment. If you have a pet sidekick, we’ll also help you protect them when you Toggle on Pet Passenger™ coverage with Auto, because we know they care about the environment too. You should be proud of yourself. We’re proud of you for taking one of the first steps to reduce your carbon footprint. 

The odds are in your favor, Agent Toggle Hawk 4000.

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The information included in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional or expert advice. It is based on research and the collective experiences of the Toggle Team and has not been verified by any academic institutions, government organizations, or world-renowned scholars, but it does make a lot of sense and we do hope you find it useful.  We encourage you to use your own good judgment about what’s appropriate for you.

Links to third-party websites are provided for your convenience only. Toggle has not independently verified any of the information provided therein and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of such information or any content.