Automobile Fact Sheet

Many scientists agree that at least half of air pollution in the U.S. comes from automobiles. Driving a vehicle is probably a typical citizen’s most polluting activity of the day. Each gallon of gas burned releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In a year, the average automobile emits five tons of carbon dioxide, making cars the single largest contributor to global warming.

Opportunities exists for conservation through transportation, not only to reduce your environmental impact, but also to save money and improve personal satisfaction.

In fact, the attendees from Nurtured World's workshop at EPA last Fall have collectively:

• prevented over 12,000 pounds of CO2 pollution
• conserved over 500 gallons of gasoline
• and saved over $7,000 bucks!

Maintain your vehicle

• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
• You can improve fuel economy by up to one mile per gallon by keeping your tires inflated.

Drive less

• You can car pool; walk or ride a bicycle; shop by phone or mail; ride public transit; tele commute.
• Combine your errands into one trip. Several separate short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer trip when your vehicle’s engine is already warmed up.

Get a cleaner vehicle

Check out www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/

Drive sensibly

• Each 5 mph over 60 mph is equivalent to paying an extra 10 cents per gallon for gas.
• By maintaining a constant speed and driving sensibly, you could save as much as 50 cents a gallon.

Don’t idle

Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine. Turn your auto off if going to idle for more than 30 seconds.

For More Information

• Dallas Public Transportation - http://www.dart.org/
• EPA’s green vehicle guide - www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/
• Fuel economy guide - www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2000.htm
• Alternative fuel vehicles - www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2004_AltFuelVehicles.pdf
• Purchase energy smart vehicles - http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energysmart_vehicles.html

Background for this page was developed based on data from the US Dept. of Transportation.