Oh electric cars, how I love thee. It’s not enough that you cut carbon emissions, noise pollution and reliance on oil and all that entails, but you may even reduce road rage?

BMC Physiology recently published a study that saw rats exposed to gasoline fumes for six weeks for periods of 30 minutes per day. The gassy rats didn’t fare well apparently. They “exhibited an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in Ache as well as superoxide dismutase.”

In English, this means that the rats got mean. Angry and mean.

The study suggests that exposure to gasoline vapors may be a contributing cause to people trying to shoot each other on Los Angeles freeways or duke it out on the Long Island Expressway.

CO2 emissions from a car, truck or SUV are likely to be a significant part of your carbon footprint. But transportation is an essential part of every day life– which presents green minded people with a moral (and practical) dilemma: is it possible to be an eco-friendly driver? The answer is, absolutely.

Here’s a look at some easy changes you can make to ensure that you’re doing your part to keep the world a greener place for drivers everywhere:

Speed Limit
Keeping your speed between 40 and 60 miles per hour while on the road will help maintain your vehicle in its lowest emission zone. If 5,000 drivers a year knocked their speed down to 60 mph instead of 70, it would eliminate about 100 tons of CO2 from the air. (As an added bonus, driving a little slower will reduce the likelihood of a car accident- which can help you stay safer and lower your auto insurance rates). Likewise, turning your car off when stuck in standstill traffic reduces pollution- it takes more energy to idle an engine than to restart it.

Shop Carefully
Everyone knows that hybrids, electric cars, and LEV (low emission vehicles) are good for the environment, but not everyone can afford the steeper price tags. However, if you are in the market for a new car, remember that smaller engines mean less CO2, so sticking to the smallest car to accommodate your needs can help you shrink your emissions. (And save on gas costs, too!)

Service with a Smile
Keeping your vehicle in its best possible condition will help you maximize its fuel efficiency. Regular servicing and engine checkups will save both money and the environment. Also, consider recycling used parts instead of just tossing them. For example, those worn tires may be useless to you, but they may just find a whole new life as part of a playground or a pair of running shoes. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your car’s general fuel consumption. Doing things like continuously running your air conditioning can considerably bump up the amount of gas your car is using on a daily basis.

There are dozens of things you can do (big and small) to help create a greener planet. Carpooling, car maintenance, public transportation… all ways to minimize the carbon footprint left behind by your four wheeled friend.