Whether you buy a used car from a dealer or an individual: Test drive the car under varied road conditions â on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic. Ask for the car's maintenance record from the owner, dealer, or repair shop.
Other top-loading washing machines can spin as fast as 1600 rpm, although these models are usually more expensive. While spin speeds fluctuate by manufacturer and model, most top-loading washing machines have spin rates of about 800 rpm rather than 1600 rpm, which are rarer.
Upgrade your washer and dryer. Dryers use a ton of energy, and most models use about the same amount, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's EnergyStar program. But if yours needs an upgrade, look for a model with a moisture sensor, which automatically shuts the dryer off when your clothes are dry. Upgrade your washer to one with faster spin cycles, ideally up to 1800 rotations per minute. A fast spin wrings more water out of clothes, meaning less time in the dryer.