A significant amount of waste is produced during a vehicle’s lifetime. Metal, plastic and rubber parts, electronics, and chemicals all add up, especially with more than 1.1 million vehicles on Hawaiʻi’s roads. In addition to auto waste, wear on brake pads and tires can also produce road dust and particles that pollute our storm water and waterways. The good news is that taking care of your car is simple. A few everyday habits keep your vehicle running smoothly and help prevent leaks, pollution, and unnecessary auto waste. Here are a few ways to care for your car as a responsible car owner:
Take care of your tires. Keep your tires properly inflated and rotate them regularly. Check for worn areas or cracks. Good tire pressure improves gas mileage and helps tires last longer, which means fewer tires thrown away and a lower risk of flats or blowouts.
Don’t ignore leaks. If you notice a puddle under your car or a strange odor in your driveway, get it checked out as soon as possible. Leaks don’t fix themselves. Waiting allows damage to worsen and increases the chance of pollutants reaching storm drains and waterways. Check out our Leak Detection Guide to learn more about how to identify leaks and practice responsible car maintenance.
Drive a little gentler. Accelerate smoothly and avoid sudden stops when possible. Gentle driving puts less strain on your engine, tires, and brake pads. It also saves you money on gas and reduces wear that contributes to auto waste.
Take your vehicle to a commercial car wash. Instead of washing your car in the driveway, take it to the professionals. They use equipment designed for water efficiency and pollution control. Many recycle their water or treat it before sending it to the sewer system. If you prefer washing at home, do so on grass so the water can be absorbed and filtered through the soil instead of flowing into storm drains. Or, try using a damp microfiber cloth instead.
For more car care tips, visit https://www.stormwaterhawaii.com/resources/individuals-families/#car-tips .
Source: Hawaiʻi License Plate, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Review of pollutants in urban road dust and stormwater runoff
A significant amount of waste is produced during a vehicle’s lifetime. Metal, plastic and rubber parts, electronics, and chemicals all add up, especially with more than 1.1 million vehicles on Hawaiʻi’s roads. In addition to auto waste, wear on brake pads and tires can also produce road dust and particles that pollute our storm water and waterways. The good news is that taking care of your car is simple. A few everyday habits keep your vehicle running smoothly and help prevent leaks, pollution, and unnecessary auto waste. Here are a few ways to care for your car as a responsible car owner:
Take care of your tires. Keep your tires properly inflated and rotate them regularly. Check for worn areas or cracks. Good tire pressure improves gas mileage and helps tires last longer, which means fewer tires thrown away and a lower risk of flats or blowouts.
Don’t ignore leaks. If you notice a puddle under your car or a strange odor in your driveway, get it checked out as soon as possible. Leaks don’t fix themselves. Waiting allows damage to worsen and increases the chance of pollutants reaching storm drains and waterways. Check out our Leak Detection Guide to learn more about how to identify leaks and practice responsible car maintenance.
Drive a little gentler. Accelerate smoothly and avoid sudden stops when possible. Gentle driving puts less strain on your engine, tires, and brake pads. It also saves you money on gas and reduces wear that contributes to auto waste.
Take your vehicle to a commercial car wash. Instead of washing your car in the driveway, take it to the professionals. They use equipment designed for water efficiency and pollution control. Many recycle their water or treat it before sending it to the sewer system. If you prefer washing at home, do so on grass so the water can be absorbed and filtered through the soil instead of flowing into storm drains. Or, try using a damp microfiber cloth instead.
For more car care tips, visit https://www.stormwaterhawaii.com/resources/individuals-families/#car-tips .
Source: Hawaiʻi License Plate, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Review of pollutants in urban road dust and stormwater runoff