WHAT CITIZENS CAN DO

Drive Less:
Since approximately 55 percent of the precursors to ozone pollution in the Metroplex is caused by emissions from vehicles such as cars and trucks, the most important thing any North Texan can do to improve air quality in North Texas is to drive less.

Share A Ride:
For information about carpool, vanpool and mass transit options:

• In the Dallas area call DART at 214/747-RIDE or visit DART's website at www.dart.org.
  
• In Fort Worth call The T at 817/336-RIDE or visit The T's website at www.the-t.com.
• In the Denton area call Denton County Transportation Authority at 972/221-4600 or visit DCTA's website at www.dcta.net.
  

Keep Your Vehicle Well-Maintained:
You might be surprised to learn that the emissions from one poorly maintained vehicle can equal those from 25 properly functioning vehicles! Listed below are six suggestions for vehicle maintenance.

• Perform maintenance according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  
• Replace oil and filters at recommended times, using an energy-saving grade of motor oils (labeled EC or Energy Conserving.)
  
• Don't tamper with your vehicle's emission controls and be sure to get your vehicle inspected annually. It is illegal to tamper with emission-control devices. An emissions check can alert you to an emissions problem.
  
• Pay attention to a loss in fuel economy. This usually signals an increase in emissions.
  
• Watch for signals from your vehicle's tailpipe that your car or truck may be running inefficiently. Black smoke means there is too much gas in the air-fuel mixture and the fuel injection system should be checked. Blue smoke means the engine is burning oil and too many hydrocarbons are being released.
  
• Check any fluid leaks from your air conditioner immediately. Leaking chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) pose a threat to stratospheric ozone. Federal law requires that your mechanic recycle CFCs removed from the air conditioner during repairs.
  
• Pay attention to dashboard lights that warn of engine problems. Newer vehicles are equipped with onboard diagnostic equipment. Under-the-hood computers with dashboard displays alert drivers of malfunctioning emission control equipment.

Report Smoking Vehicles:
You can help the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality get the word out to owners of smoking vehicles. The next time you see a car, truck or bus with dirty smoke coming from its exhaust for more than 10 consecutive seconds, get the license number and call 1-800-453-SMOG. You can also report smoking vehicles online at www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/ms/smokingvehicles.html#smk4.

• When you call, you will be asked to provide the license plate number, the date, the time and the location where you saw the smoking vehicle. You do not have to give your name, and the call is free.
  
• The TCEQ will then notify the owner that his or her car may be contributing to air pollution by smoking excessively and provide vehicle owners with information about how to improve their vehicles' performance.

Also Consider These Pollution-Reducing Tips:

• Combine trips to minimize cold starts. Most vehicle emissions occur when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
  
• Drive at fuel-saving, moderate speeds. Jack-rabbit acceleration uses more fuel than your engine can efficiently burn.
  
• Avoid excessive idling. Drive during off-peak hours to avoid congested traffic. Avoid highway construction projects and lines at drive-through windows.
  
• Refuel your vehicle carefully and in the evening when it's cooler. Avoid spilling gasoline, don't top off the tank and check to make sure your gas cap seals properly.
  
• Don't mow your lawn or use gas-powered lawn equipment in the morning on Air Pollution Watch days. Lawn-care machines produce more pollution than you might think - one hour of operation equals about 50 miles of car driving. Consider electric or hand-powered models.
  
• Buy environmentally friendly cleaners; avoid using aerosol products and select water-based paint.

Pay Attention to Air Pollution Watch Days:
High levels of air pollution occur in this region throughout the summer months, so it is important to practice ozone reducing behaviors every day during that season. We also ask that you try to reduce air pollution even more on Air Pollution Watch days by practicing any or all of the tips mentioned above. To find out if tomorrow is an Air Pollution Watch day and to review previous Air Pollution Watch/Ozone Action days visit www.dfwcleanair.com.