Look at the automotive industry and you’ll see plenty of attention being given to the development of electric and hybrid cars. Decreasing our gasoline use is one important way to preserve our environment, but motor oil is often forgotten about in our quest to decrease our carbon footprints. There’s no questioning the need for motor oil. It performs many functions, including helping engines start easily, lubricating engine parts, reducing friction, protecting against rust and corrosion, keeping engine parts clean, minimizing combustion chamber deposits, cooling engine parts, and more. The thing about motor oil is that we won’t be able to eliminate it. What we can do is make it more sustainable.

Check out these motor oil facts:

• Every year, U.S. drivers alone produce about 1.3 billion gallons of used motor oil.
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 200 million gallons of used oil are disposed of improperly every year.
• To produce 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil, it takes 42 gallons of crude oil. Recycling just one gallon of used oil produces the same amount.
• About half of the motor oil used in Europe is re-refined. In the U.S., only 10%-15% of motor oil is re-refined.

These motor oil facts reveal a major problem about motor oil consumption in America. Though both motor oil types perform the necessary functions and meet API standards, Americans are consistently choosing virgin motor oil when they get an oil change.

Re-refined motor oil is available through many motor oil distributors and can be a great fit for your vehicle, as long as you’re careful to follow the guidelines of your manufacturer and choose oil that meets API standards. Be sure to consult your manual for information about the recommended type of oil for your vehicle and about the frequency of oil changes. When you head out to buy motor oil, look for re-refined oil that has both the “donut” and “starburst” symbols that indicate compliance with American Petroleum Institute Standards.

Simply switching to re-refined oil can have a major impact on the environment without having an effect on your car’s functionality. Look for re-refined oil next time you change your oil, and spread the word.