Gas prices are high, and we could all use a little extra cash. But did you know that you can save money while filling up and reduce one of the most widespread air pollutants on Colorado’s Front Range at the same time?
Emissions from gas vehicles and other sources react in the sunshine and heat on summer days to form ground-level ozone. Ozone is helpful high in the atmosphere, but at ground level, it’s a pollutant that’s harmful to inhale.
Fortunately, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to improve our air — and save money on gas! You can start today by trying these three tips:
Stop at the first click when you fill up. Filling past the automatic shutoff can make your car less efficient and even result in a costly repair.
The mechanism that makes a gas pump handle click off isn’t just there to prevent you from spilling gas on the ground. It also stops you from flooding your car’s evaporative emission control (EVAP) system, which prevents harmful vapors from escaping into the atmosphere.
The EVAP system’s carbon canister captures fuel vapors until the engine can use them, boosting efficiency while keeping harmful vapors out of the air we breathe. Overfilling the tank can flood the carbon canister with liquid gas, preventing it from using vapors to run your car. Worse, flooding can clog it, and once clogged, it has to be replaced.
So instead of squeezing a few extra drops in, let the handle stop at the first click. Your wallet will thank you!
Maintain your car. Regular maintenance improves gas efficiency. Keeping your tires properly inflated and getting regular oil changes ensures that you’re getting the best gas mileage possible — and avoids the creation of unnecessary air pollution.
Need help repairing your car? The Regional Air Quality Council’s Clean Air Auto Repair Program reduces air pollution by fixing high-polluting vehicles on the Front Range. Learn more and see if you qualify at CleanAirAutoRepair.org.
Combine trips. Drive a little less by combining trips, which helps you save money on gas and has a dramatic impact on our air.
- For errands, adopt a “while I’m out” approach to efficiently combine car trips.
- Pick one day each week to shop and run errands.
In addition to saving money on gas, combining trips helps reduce traffic and cuts down on air pollution. It’s a win-win for your wallet and your health!
