emde logo 

List of State Officials - Martin O'Malley, Governor; Anthony Brown, Lt. Governor; Shari T. Wilson, MDE Secretary 

Volume II, Number 12

 April 2007

eMDE is a monthly publication of the Maryland Department of the Environment. It covers articles on current environmental issues and events in the state. 

Clean Car Clinics for Clean Air

By Peggy Courtright, Air and Radiation Management Administration

Click on photo to view larger image

Photo 1 - Clean Car Care Clinic 

Photo 2 - Clean Car Care Clinic 

Back to this issue's cover page 

Motor vehicles cause up to 30 percent of the emissions that contribute to the poor air quality in this region. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is hosting car care clinics to help your vehicle run cleaner - and ultimately, improve the air Marylanders breathe. In celebration of Earth Day, a car care clinic will be held on Sunday, April 22, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the Towson University Stadium Parking Lot, off Auburn Drive (directly across from Unitas Stadium).

Do Your Share for Clean Air

The car care clinic is a partnership effort between MDE, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, and Precision Tune Auto Care – who will provide free, comprehensive inspections on your vehicle. They will identify simple ways you can maintain your car to keep it running efficiently. This includes: getting the best gas mileage by changing fluids regularly, tuning the engine properly, replacing work belts and inflating tires to the correct pressure.

Each year, cars and trucks travel more than 38 billion miles in the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan region and account for 30 to 40 percent of the ozone-causing pollutants that impact public health. The Baltimore region has a serious air pollution problem, which affects the health of residents and the environment, which is why MDE encourages reducing emissions from motor vehicles.

Other Ways You Can Help

  • Choose a vehicle that is appropriate to your needs. Go to www.fueleconomy.gov to compare vehicles.
  • Drive wisely— plan your trips.
  • Driving and accelerating more slowly will improve fuel economy.
  • Don’t idle. Idling gets zero miles per gallon.
  • During the summer months, refuel when it is cool, usually after sunset to minimize evaporation.

Drivers can bring their vehicle into any Clean Cars for Clean Air Clinics throughout the Baltimore region from April through August to receive a free inspection and literature on how to maintain their vehicle.

For more information on the Clean Cars for Clean Air Clinics and where to find a clinic in your area visit: www.cleancommute.com or www.ptune.com
 

Subscribe/Unsubscribe

©2007 Copyright MDE

 
Editorial Board
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230
http://mde.maryland.gov/
​​​​​​​​​​