World Car-Free Day takes place on September 22nd to both educate and encourage car owners to give up their cars for one day of the year.

World Car-Free Day was organized in the hope of teaching motorists to be more aware of the choices they make when it comes to their cars. 

However, for some, giving up your vehicle is not as easy so here are some simple planet-friendly tips to reduce your carbon footprint starting with your car.

Drive less.

Fewer miles means fewer emissions so try to avoid any unnecessary journeys were possible. Walk or cycle during the spring and summer months, car share through the colder seasons, make use of public transport and plan ahead to make the most of the time you are in your car.

You can do this by running errands altogether in one go rather than over the course of a few days or even a week.

Check your tyres.

In a nutshell, under-inflated tyres don't work as efficiently meaning your engine has to burn more fuel to get them moving. By maintaining the correct tyre pressure, not only will you be saving money but your car won't have to work half as hard. 

It is also worth noting that properly filled tyres last longer so we advise you get into a habit of checking them every few weeks to help prevent them from ending up at landfill before they really need too. If you're unsure of the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle, it is usually marked on the tyre itself or you can ask a mechanic.

Lessen the load.

The more weight your car carries, the more fuel it uses - it's that simple. Take out any unnecessary items that you don't use or need to help lighten the load. 

Turn off the air conditioning.

It might sound silly to some but try to minimise your use of the air conditioning. We know it can be hard to resist a cool breeze during peak summer but it is a great way of reducing your carbon front print in the long run.

Using your air conditioning makes your car work harder as it puts a strain on the electrical system. A hard-working car means more fuel. Try to put the windows down once in a while!

Get a service.

Not only will having your car serviced regularly highlight any outstanding safety issues with your vehicle, but it will also help the life of your engine by reducing engine wear as well as improving fuel economy.

It is recommended that you get your car professionally serviced at least once a year or every 5,000 kilometres. Your car may only need a simple oil change but it will help you avoid many problems, saving you money long term.

Upgrading your car.

When it is time to upgrade your vehicle, look for fuel-efficient cars with low gas emissions. Not only will they help the environment, but it may also help with fuel costs.

Electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and cars that run on diesel, biofuel and gas are more efficient and less polluting.

Don't idle.

And finally, it makes complete sense to turn off your engine when it is not in us. Reduce idling to help prevent polluting the air. In fact, modern cars do not need warming up in winter so there is no need to turn on the engine until you are ready to drive.