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To celebrate Earth Day 2007, the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Mobile Sources Control Program (MSCP) and its partners held a successful Clean Cars for Clean Air Clinic at Towson University on April 22. The clinic provided an opportunity for Baltimore-area motorists to receive a free vehicle maintenance inspection by a certified technician. This special clinic also kicked off a spring and summer series of car care clinics in the Baltimore region sponsored by MDE, Precision Tune Auto Care and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.
“Every day, cars and trucks travel over 150 million miles on Maryland roadways,” explained Marcia Ways, program manager for MSCP. “Exhaust from motor vehicles is a significant source of air pollutants, especially ozone-forming nitrogen oxides.”
“One reason we are holding these car care clinics is to help motorists understand that a well-maintained vehicle not only performs better and lasts longer, but also produces less of these harmful emissions,” said Ways.
Reduce Emissions – Reduce Ozone
Ozone pollution is a problem in many areas of Maryland during warmer months. The emissions (nitrogen oxides) from vehicles, coal-fired power plants and industrial sources, combined with vapors (volatile organic compounds) from solvents, gasoline and some paints react to sunlight in the atmosphere and form ozone air pollution. Ozone is harmful to human health, damages crops and vegetation, and degrades buildings, rubbers, and paints.
Peeking at Your Parts
Car care clinics have inspection lanes where motorists receive free multi-point inspections by Precision Tune Auto Care certified technicians of basic vehicle condition, including tires, fluids, hoses and belts, lights and gas caps. The technician provides the motorist with a checklist of the vehicle’s condition and gives expert advice on how to repair any detected problems (repairs are not performed at the clinics).
Some common problems found by technicians that cause poor vehicle efficiency:
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tires that are under-inflated or in poor condition
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low fluid levels
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dirty fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant.
Deflated Tires Knock the Air Out of Fuel Efficiency
During the April 22 clinic, over 40 percent of the vehicles had tires that were under inflated, which decreases fuel economy. Many vehicles had low levels or dirty fluids, which diminishes engine efficiency and increases engine wear and emissions.
MDE and partners will be holding seven car care clinics through August. For information about dates and locations for the clinics, please visit www.cleancommute.com or www.ptune.com . Precision Tune Auto Care will also provide vehicle inspections at select shop locations in the Baltimore area.
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