Bottom Line: Following simple automobile maintenance and usage guidelines can help reduce water and air pollution.
In the US, about 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from cars and light trucks like SUVs, contributing to climate change, air pollution, and disease. If you are truly trying to lighten your environmental footprint, the first thing to do is ask if you do in fact need a car. If the answer is yes, there are many things you can do to make your driving life greener.
Reduce your use: Public transit, riding a bike, walking, ridesharing, car sharing programs like ZipCar - there are many options.
Consider switching to biodiesel. Biodiesel can now be found in almost any state in the US. This clean, domestic, veggie-based, carbon-neutral fuel will run in any diesel car or truck with little or no modification to the engine.
Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Not only does speeding and herky-jerky driving kill your MPG, it's dangerous.
Easy on the AC. Use the windows to help keep the car cool. Or try an electric or solar fan.
Have your car serviced regularly to prevent leaks and help identify potential leaks. Oil stains on your driveway and outdoor spills of antifreeze, brake fluid, and other automotive fluids are easily carried into a storm drain by rain and into our waterways. Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze with kitty litter or other absorbent material. Catch dripping with cardboard or other absorbent material.
Wash Your Car away from storm drains. Wash where the water can soak into grass, gravel or be diverted to nearby landscaping, away from the street. Use soaps, cleaners and detergents that are labeled phosphate free or biodegradable, such as Simple Green's Car Wash or Gliptone's Wash ‘n Glow. Taking your car to a commercial car wash or spray booth is the best option - water is sent to a wastewater treatment plant.
Be Tire Smart. Incorrect tire inflation raises fuel consumption increasing harmful greenhouse gas emissions into our environment and improper tire maintenance also shortens the life of your tires.
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More Resources
Be Tire Smart, Natural Resources Canada
Transportation and Car Information on Planet Green
*Above information was gathered from the San Mateo County Wide Water Pollution Prevention website: flowstobay.org and the Planet Green website: planetgreen.discovery.com
