Ozone season started on March 1st in North Texas and April is National Car Care Month. In preparation for car care month, here are some ideas to think about to take care of your vehicle and help keep our air clean. Some car care tips include checking tire inflation, changing air filters, and addressing check engine light issues. Proper tire pressure improves gas mileage, extends tire life, and can prevent accidents and repairs. Replacing air filters when needed improves fuel efficiency and vehicle performance. It can also extend the engine life of the vehicle. The “check engine” light is a warning indicator for issues related to the vehicle’s engine or emissions system. It can be related to minor issues or more serious problems. Delays in addressing the issue can lead to poor performance or costly repairs. Reducing fuel consumption by addressing these issues reduces the emissions generated by your vehicle and helps improve air quality in our region. The North Central Texas Council of Governments administers a Car Care Awareness Program. You can find more information about this program at https://www.ntxcarcare.org.
Other vehicle-related clean air efforts include reducing trips by combining errands, observing the speed limit, and avoiding idling. Additionally, minimizing trips by working remotely, attending meetings virtually when possible, or carpooling can also reduce emissions that contribute to poor air quality. Keep up those clean air efforts with your vehicle in mind!