Green Travel Tips

• Use public transportation when available.
• Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
• When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
• Use the hotel van instead of renting a car, or share a taxi.
• Participate in hotel linen programs, or let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.
• When you leave your hotel room, turn off the AC/heat, lights, TV and radio. Close the drapes.
• Check out of the hotel via the hotel's electronic program available on the TV in some hotels. You can view your bill, approve it and help reduce paperwork.
• If possible, send children to school on the bus. If that's not an option, organize a carpool with other families. This saves gas, cuts down on auto emissions and saves time.
• Keep your engine tuned. Fouled spark plugs, failed oxygen sensors or bad catalytic converters can affect mileage by 4 percent.
• Don't let your car idle. Ten seconds of idling uses more gas than stopping and restarting the engine.
• Check tire pressure. Proper inflation can save 3 percent in fuel costs, plus the tires last longer and are safer.
• Check and replace filters regularly. A clogged air filter can affect mileage by 10 percent. A clean air filter also keeps out impurities that can damage internal engine parts.
• Use the proper grade of oil. If you put 10W-30 weight oil in an engine designed for 5W-30, mileage will be reduced 1 to 2 percent.
• Use Internet travel booking engines that can steer you to eco-vacation sites that provide information on eco-friendly hotels that use solar power or wind power, natural soaps and energy-efficient lighting.
• Consider a volunteer vacation such as clearing trails in national parks, or join a tour with groups such as the Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org).

Download all green travel tips here.