Looking for a valuable way to help the environment? Good for you! Luckily, there are a number of steps you can take to help keep Mother Earth green and happy. One eco-friendly suggestion is to maintain and, where possible, improve the fuel efficiency of your car. The smoother your car runs, the less gas it burns and the cleaner this lovely planet stays. To get you started, here are our top six tips for a greener ride.

1. Keep your engine properly tuned. Fixing an underperforming engine can improve your gas mileage anywhere from 4 percent to 40 percent, depending on the problem. Also, watch out for worn spark plugs; these rascals can reduce your car’s fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

2. Check and replace your air filter regularly. An air filter clogged with dirt, dust, and bugs will cause your engine to work harder than necessary and hinder its fuel efficiency. Check your owner’s manual to see how often your filter should be changed.

3. Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires are double the trouble. Not only do they wear more quickly (meaning you have to replace them more often), they can also lower your gas mileage by up to 15 percent. Check your tires once a month to make sure they’re inflated to their recommended pressure, and note that warm tires will give a false reading, so check them when they’re cool.

4. Obey the speed limit. Keep your “ need to speed” in check on the highway. All cars reach their optimal fuel efficiency at different speeds, but gas mileage usually starts to decrease rapidly at speeds over 60 mph. Keeping your eye on the speedometer will help you keep an eye on your wallet too.

5. Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas at rates of about 5 percent in the city and 33 percent on the highway. Take a deep breath to remain calm on the road, and give that lead foot a time-out.

6. Carpool. Driving with just one friend cuts fuel consumption by 50 percent, and this number increases with every additional passenger. Whenever you can, share a ride. Carpooling is a smart, fun, and eco-friendly way to travel.