Five Eco-Friendly Ways to Green Your Pickup Truck

Contributed by Summer K. Sellers (thank you!)

When people think of hybrid vehicles, they think of tiny cars. But what happens if you need a pickup truck and still want to be considerate of the environment? If you work in construction, or work or live on a farm, a pickup is the only practical vehicle you'll consider buying. You wouldn't be able to do half of what you do every day without one. Here are five ways to have the best of both worlds.

Buy a hybrid pickup truck. If you can afford to do so, purchase a hybrid Chevrolet Silverado or a hybrid GMC Sierra, which are currently delivering an estimated 20 miles per gallon in the city and 23 on the highway. That's pretty good compared to their regular counterparts, which are getting approximately 12-15 miles per gallon in the city and 18-20 on the highway.

Convert your current truck to run on an alternative fuel. One alternative fuel to consider switching to is bioalcohol fuel, the most popular form being E85. This ethanol fuel is produced by fermenting sugars, which result in high octane ratings. Its tailpipe emissions-reducing base substance is most abundantly available in the Midwest because of large access to local corn crops, and is a less expensive option than people think, usually starting around $200-300. Another alternative fuel to consider is biodiesel fuel, which is made of oil extracts from animal fats, and plants such as soybeans and peanuts.

Purchase eco-friendly spark plugs. These green spark plugs work by using more efficient surface air gap firing technology, which produces a longer, more powerful spark arcing toward the ground electrode for maximum firing performance instead of a conventional air gap spark plug, which generates a short spark that travels in a direct path. In addition to reducing tailpipe emissions, these environmentally-friendly spark plugs maximize your fuel efficiency and improve your vehicle's performance.

Purchase eco-friendly motor oil. Green motor oil is made of tallow, which is saturated cow fat. When converted into unsaturated oil, it's less likely to clog up engine parts. It's non-toxic and can be disposed of at home if broken down into smaller molecules by using a second reacting agent. The molecules are eaten by microorganisms in the soil.

Install LED Lights in your truck. Consuming less energy, these long-lasting, light-emitting diodes, (LED lights)a, are commonly used for brake lamps, turn signals, and indicators. They're smaller in size, resulting in less material waste, and switch on faster than regular incandescent bulbs. These relatively inexpensive lights are very durable and reliable.

By implementing these five green ways, you'll know you've done your part to be eco-friendly in the automotive world, even if you have a pickup truck.

What are some other green suggestions you may have for improving your pickup truck? Is there one certain tip that has worked well for you energy- and dollar-wise?

Summer K. Sellers is a writer for the aftermarket auto accessories industry and editor of Torque, the TruckChamp.com blog. TruckChamp.com, a subsidiary of LOF, Inc., is a leading online retailer of discount aftermarket truck accessories. From towing mirrors to nerf bars, TruckChamp.com offers a wide selection of great products at low prices and is committed to providing incredible customer service.