Being Green in Auto Repair

With car owners holding on to their vehicles longer and opting to take on some of their own repairs, Carolina Tire & Auto has released a list of tips — from recycling oil to using remanufactured parts — to help DIYers keep both their environment and their wallets green.

Carolina Tire & Auto's team of mechanics identified some common DIY repair and maintenance activities and applied a simple formula: Recycle, Repair, Re-use and be Resource-Friendly.

1. Recycle oil, antifreeze and parts

If all the oil from American do-it-yourself oil changers were recycled, it would be enough to supply more than 50 million cars a year. Oil, antifreeze and parts can usually be recycled at Carolina Tire & Auto.

2. Repair, don't replace
Extending the life of your car and its parts through proper repair and maintenance can help save environmental resources, prevent costly repairs and conserve consumer dollars.

3. Reuse parts and supplies
Rebuilt/remanufactured and used parts are easily available and can cost 50 percent less than buying new parts, while also reducing the amount of raw materials consumed and harmful emissions generated.

4. Be resource-friendly when you clean

Chances are that whatever you clean your vehicle with could end up in the storm drain and our streams, rivers, or oceans, so be conscious of the products you are using, or use a commercial car wash, which generally uses much less water.

5. Use resource-friendly parts, products

Look at options for greener or longer-life products, such as extended life antifreeze and organic brake pads.

"While many auto repair shops have instituted green practices in their shops and have been recycling parts and oil for years, there is little information available to help the average DIY car owner keep his/her maintenance and repair work environmentally friendly," said Carolina Tire & Auto president Jim Seidel. "At Carolina Tire & Auto we want to empower car owners with information to help them 'green' their auto repair, not only to help save valuable environmental resources and prevent a polluted water supply but, importantly in this economic climate, to help them save significant dollars."

Recycle your used oil at Carolina Tire & Auto