In Your Car

Find Your Watershed
Detoxify Your Home
Energy & Your Home
In the Yard
On the Lawn
In Your Car
Down the Drain
From Your Well
On Your Boat
Get Involved

Recyle or properly dispose of used automotive fluids. Photo: Holly Payne

 

Using and maintaining your vehicles wisely saves you money and reduces air and water pollution.

Oil and grime from our vehicles accumulate on roadways and parking lots to be washed “away” by the next rainstorm. Where do these pollutants go? Stormwater runoff from miles of roads and acres of parking lots carries pollutants into drainage ditches and storm drains where they flow into streams and lakes.

Particles from engine exhaust can also contaminate water supplies. Every time you use your car, truck, lawnmower or snowblower, the exhaust fumes are airborne. Pollutants in these fumes rise in the air, combine with rain clouds, and then shower down on the earth in rain or snow. Rain or snowmelt carries these pollutants into streams, lakes or groundwater. This continuous interaction bonds air and water pollution.

Each of our vehicles contributes to the cumulative impact on water quality. Each of us can use and care for our vehicles in ways that keep our waters clean!

I pledge to...		I will do this:	I'm already doing this:
	Regularly maintain my car and other engines, so that they run better, last longer and use less fuel.
	Recycle motor oil and properly dispose of antifreeze and other fluids when performing my own vehicle maintenance.
	Use a commercial car wash whenever possible because it typically uses less water and is connected to a water treatment system.
	If washing my vehicle at home, park it on the lawn (far from wells, streams, wetlands or the lake) where the grassy area and soil can filter wash water. Biodegradable cleaners with no phosphates are best.
	Think before using my car: "Can I carpool, take the bus, walk or bike?"
	Shop locally and buy local goods whenever possible.
	Let my locally elected officials know that I support sustainable transportation options like walkable communities, bike paths, Park & Ride facilities, and public transport.