AT HOME
AUTO CARE Automobile Maintenance - Protect Your Own Safety As Well As That of Aquatic Life
- Maintain your vehicle and check the conditions of belts and hoses. Check for fluid leaks. Replace hoses before they develop cracks and repair fluid leaks immediately.
Never pour or hose oil or antifreeze down a storm drain or discard in a careless manner. Recycling is a must.
- Never pour or hose oil, antifreeze, or other automotive chemicals down a storm drain or discard in a careless manner. Recycling is a must and the only recommended way to dispose of used oil. Used oil should be taken in a labeled, sturdy container to a hazardous waste collection center, an oil recycling center, or to one of the many area service stations that recycle oil.
- Antifreeze/engine coolant contains ethylene glycol, which is toxic to humans, fish, land wildlife, and poses a special threat to pets. Cats and dogs that encounter a puddle of antifreeze are likely to lap up the sweet-tasting liquid and die. Used antifreeze and other hazardous automotive products should be taken in labeled containers to hazardous waste collection centers. Used antifreeze may also be taken to a radiator specialist or to a local full-service garage which has a used antifreeze storage drum.
- Keep your vehicle in good operating order. Drive a fuel-efficient car that uses unleaded gas and keep the engine well-tuned to limit pollutant emissions.
Specifics to Follow When Washing The Car To Conserve Water, Reduce Surface Runoff, And Keep Surface Runoff Clean
- Wash you car only when necessary.
- Use non-phosphate or very low-phosphate, biodegradable, mild soaps or detergents.
- Use a bucket, sponge, and a hose with a pistol grip nozzle. This kind of shut-off nozzle produces high pressure, but uses a low volume of water, and it can easily be attached to any standard garden hose.
- Hosing down the car and washing the car in sections, followed by a quick final rinse is most efficient, conserves water, and limits surface runoff; or use a commercial car wash that uses water efficiently, recycles water, and disposes of runoff properly.
- Homeowners who have large expanses of yard can wash the car on the lawn and water the grass at the same time. However, vary where the car is parked because always washing it in the same area may compact the soil. Never park over or near the septic tank system or drainfield.
The International Year of the Ocean Home Page is a publication of the NOAA Home Page Design and Construction Company
