Vehicle Maintenance and Repair are Key in Aiding Air Quality
30 September 1999
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair are Key in Aiding Air Quality, Says Auto Club; Statistics Show Cars Are Smaller Factor in Southern California Smog
LOS ANGELES--Sept. 29, 1999--Motorists can do their part to clean up the air by promptly performing needed repairs and maintaining their vehicles according to owner's manual recommendations, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
A national report released today by AAA shows that technological advances have helped to significantly reduce air pollution caused by vehicles. A companion report by the Auto Club titled "The Automobile and Clean Air -- 1999" corroborates that trend in Southern California. In 1965, autos produced nearly 50 percent of the ozone-related pollutants in Southern California, but that figure has been reduced to 25 percent as of this year, despite doubling the number of vehicle miles traveled.
"Stricter government standards have helped create cleaner running vehicles," said Steve Mazor, the Auto Club's principal automotive engineer and author of "The Automobile and Clean Air." "In 1965, a new car emitted 228 pounds of smog-causing hydrocarbons per year. Today's cars emit only six pounds per year. And drivers should be aware that they can help reduce pollution even further by properly maintaining their cars."
As part of National Car Care Month in October, Mazor offers the following tips for consumers to help air quality:
-- Check tire pressure twice monthly. Mazor said the lack of proper
tire inflation is a major problem with many vehicles on the road
today. Not only does it shorten the life of the tire, it can
significantly reduce vehicle mileage and increase emissions.
-- Change fluids and filters as recommended by the owner's manual.
"Dirty engine oil can emit dirty fumes," Mazor said. "Anytime an
engine fluid runs low or gets contaminated, or a filter gets
clogged, your car loses mileage and produces more emissions. Plus
you risk an engine breakdown."
Check and replace worn or cracked belts and hoses. Mazor said engine hoses and belts can be among the most neglected items because they're not easily visible and usually don't have problems before the vehicle reaches 30,000 miles. But if they do break or crack, they can cause major emissions problems.
To help drivers get their vehicles in shape and to commemorate Car Care Month in October, the Auto Club is offering free 38-point inspections by more than 700 garages throughout Southern California that are designated as "Approved Auto Repair" facilities. These garages undergo annual inspections by Auto Club experts to ensure that they provide quality repair services from highly trained technicians using proper equipment.
The free inspections will include checks on:
| -- | Lubricants and fluids; |
| -- | The car battery; |
| -- | Belts, pulley and hoses; |
| -- | Tires and filters; and |
| -- | Headlights, turn signals and other lights. |
Members and non-members can make appointments for their free inspection by contacting a local Auto Club office or by visiting the Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com to find the closest Approved Auto Repair garage.
National Car Care Month is an effort to educate drivers and correct misperceptions about car maintenance. A national survey conducted for AAA showed that while three-quarters of all motorists feel they are familiar or very familiar with maintenance requirements for their vehicles, only about half of them regularly follow those recommendations.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services, automotive testing and analysis, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
EDITORS NOTE: For a copy of "The Auto and Clean Air," contact Marie Montgomery at 714/885-2333.