I still have to buy the tree, but my daughter and I have already chosen the spot (right outside her window) and the tree
(native dogwood) for our annual Earth Day planting extravaganza. I’d like to celebrate by donating my 2001 Civic to a
local charity and buying a new hybrid model, but since hybrids were too new to earn my trust the last time I went car
shopping, and since I’m not into debt, I’ll work with what I’ve got. Step one on greening my car? Check the tire
pressure.
Dads always told us that properly inflated, rotated, and balanced tires will do a lot for the way
your car handles, including all but eliminating the need for pricey alignments. He never mentioned gas mileage, but he
should have. Cartrackers.com lists properly inflated tires high on its list of ways to improve your car’s fuel economy,
and adds that keeping tabs on your tires helps them last longer. Since we haven’t figured out yet exactly how to dispose
of all those used-up tires, that’s a motion I’ll have to second.
Good thing Santa left all those tire
pressure gagues in my Christmas stockings!