Are you considering buying a new or used car? You can compare the fuel efficiency and emissions ratings of different models at these two sites:

• The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy produces a Greener Cars guide, which is online at http://www.greenercars.com . Unfortunately, it's not free.
• The Environmental Protection Agency's fuel economy ratings are online at http://www.fueleconomy.gov , and this service is free.

Want more information on how to drive and take care of your vehicle in the cleanest, greenest way way possible? Here're a few resources:

• The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy offers fuel-saving, maintenance and other tips at http://www.greenercars.com/drivinggreen.html .
• The Car Talk brothers offer tips at http://www.cartalk.com/content/eco/ .
• The Environmental Protection Agency has a guide titled "Your Car (or Truck) and the Environment" at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/car-env.pdf .

Have you ever looked at the label of your windshield washer fluid? It probably contains methyl alcohol, a nasty toxic chemical that really doesn't belong in air, water, soil, and living beings. Reduce your use as much as you're able to. Here's a recipe for a non-toxic windshield washer fluid that works great during the summer (it'll freeze when the temperature drops too low): Combine three parts white vinegar with one part water.

Did you know that most antifreeze is made from a highly toxic chemical called ethylene glycol? There is an alternative, though, which is apparently much safer: propylene glycol. Here's the website for the one brand I know of that uses propylene glycol, which they claim works just as well as the ethylene glycol brands: http://www.sierraantifreeze.com/ .

So you've made the eco-alternative transportation choice to bike more and drive less, but how do you take care of your trusty steed? Here's an online guide to Basic Bicycle Maintenance: http://www.cyclingpromotion.com/References/Pamphletsbasicmaintenance.pdf .

I'm no fan of SUVs, but I don't think it's very effective to simply criticize the folks who buy them as selfish or uncaring about ecological matters. If we want to convince people that SUVs are, in most cases, not responsible transportation choices, we need to address the reasons people perceive them to be responsible transportation choices. The folks at National Public Radio's Car Talk program offer an online guide to finding a vehicle which meets one's needs without the downsides of SUVs at http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/suv/ .

Would you like to have an ecologically-minded alternative to the American Automobile Association (more commonly known as Triple A), which spends a lot of money lobbying legislatures to build more roads and in opposition to efforts to curb air pollution and fund mass transit? If so, check out the Better World Club at http://www.betterworldclub.com .

Used tires are a huge waste disposal problem, but there are things you can do to reduce your contribution to it. Check out http://www.rma.org/tire_safety/tire_maintenance_and_safety for some tips.