Texans Can Breathe Easier With Five Cost-Saving, Clean Air Tips

AUSTIN, TX ? In the summertime, as Texans? energy usage spikes and they pile into their cars for long road trips, ozone levels will tend to increase along with the temperature. Fortunately, supporters of the Drive Clean Across Texas campaign say there are plenty of small steps drivers can take to improve our air quality and our health.

Drive Clean Across Texas, the nation?s first statewide, air quality public education campaign, kicks off its annual clean-air initiative this week. Campaign organizers from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) encourage motorists to implement cost-saving, no-cost, and low-cost changes in their driving and vehicle maintenance behaviors to reduce harmful vehicle emissions.

?Each of us is part of the solution to continue to improve air pollution in our state. Doing simple things like getting a tune-up and keeping your tires properly inflated improves gas mileage and reduces vehicle emissions,? says Dianna Noble, TxDOT?s Environmental Affairs Division Director.

Another way Texans can help clear the air is by driving cleaner cars. To reinforce this point, the campaign will give one lucky winner a new, 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid donated by the Dallas Cowboys. The sweepstakes will run from June 15 to September 26?visit www.DriveCleanAcrossTexas.org to enter.

Each driver can follow a few tips from the Drive Clean campaign to contribute to cleaning the air in Texas. Here are some tips from the Drive Clean campaign:

1) Keep your vehicle in top shape Proper and timely maintenance of your car or truck will conserve fuel and reduce emissions. A poorly maintained vehicle can release 10 times the emissions of one in good condition.

Keep your car or truck engine well-maintained to lower exhaust emissions. Keep your tires properly inflated. Regularly change air and fuel filters and service air conditioning. Seal your gas cap tightly, refuel during late afternoon or evening, and don?t ?top off? the tank. Lighten your load by removing roof racks and emptying your trunk of unnecessary weight.

2) Drive less Reducing the number of vehicles on the road, especially during peak periods (rush hour), means less traffic and less exhaust.

Combine your errands into only one trip. Carpool, vanpool or ride public transit. Work an alternative/flex-time work schedule so you don’t have to drive in congestion. Become a telecommuter or start a telecommuting program. Take a bicycle or walk when at all possible; it is good for your health.

3) Buy a “cleaner” vehicle Help make the air healthier for yourself and others by purchasing a fuel-efficient or low-emission vehicle such as a new, hybrid-electric car. For more information, visit www.fueleconomy.gov. If your car or truck is at least 10 years old, or if it has failed an emissions test, you may qualify for up to $3,500 toward replacing your vehicle through TCEQ?s Drive a Clean Machine program. Call 1-800-913-3321 for more information. Or, enter for a chance to win a new hybrid vehicle at www.DriveCleanAcrossTexas.org.

4) Drive the speed limit At high speeds you’ll burn more fuel per mile driven, thus creating more harmful pollutants in the air. It is safer to drive the speed limit, too.

Accelerate and decelerate slowly and smoothly. Anticipate stops and coast to a stop gradually.

5) Reduce idling Idling wastes gas. In fact, turning off the car and starting it again uses less gas than idling for thirty seconds or more.

Park and go inside rather than using the drive-thru at the bank or fast food restaurant. Anticipate delays and take an alternative route to avoid stop-and-go or stand-still traffic… or travel earlier or later when congestion is less. After starting the engine, do not warm it up; modern engines do not need it.

To enter for a chance to win a new Ford Fusion Hybrid and to get more information on improving the air quality in our state, Texans should visit www.DriveCleanAcrossTexas.org.