Getting Out Of Your Car Will Help Planet And Your Budget

Dear readers: Almost 50 percent of the energy consumed in Washington is used for the transportation of people and goods. Motor vehicles in Washington account for 43 percent of our air pollution - more than industry, wood stoves, and outdoor burning. How did this happen?

The average household owns two vehicles (cars and trucks), drives nearly 20,000 miles per year, and burns 1,000 gallons of gasoline in the process. About 20 percent of total household income is used for transportation. Washington residents spend $3 billion each year on motor fuel alone.

Is it too late to put on the brakes? The following actions can help you save money, spend less time in traffic, and reduce air pollution.

Walk, bike, carpool, or take the bus once a week.

Driving alone uses more gas, requires more costly parking facilities and causes more air pollution than any other form of travel.

Look into alternative work methods and schedules.

Many employers now offer flexible hours, shorter work weeks, and telecommuting, or working at home. This reduces the need to travel during peak commuting times.

Plan trips ahead of time.

Combining errands, avoiding congestion, and reducing impulse trips helps save gas and time. Shopping closer to home also supports local businesses.

Cut down on engine idling time.

While waiting in traffic for long periods of time, turn the engine off. Idling longer than a minute uses more gas than restarting the engine. Drive smoothly and maintain momentum.

Driving at a steady speed between 35 and 55 mph results in the best gas mileage. Jack-rabbit starts and hard braking simply waste gas.

Keep the car running as efficiently as possible.

Regular tune-ups boost gas mileage by 5 percent or more, provide opportunities for preventive maintenance, and help keep the air clean.

Check the car’s tire pressure once a month.

Properly inflated tires will save gas and help them last longer. Under- or over-inflated tires can be dangerous.

Take used motor oil to a collection site for recycling.

Every year, more than two million gallons of used motor oil are dumped into Washington’s waters through runoff from streets, ditches, and backyards.

For locations which collect used motor oil, contact the Spokane Regional Recycling Hotline at 747-0242 or the Department of Ecology Recycling Hotline at (800) 732-9253.

Small savings do matter. Take some of these ideas and incorporate them into your routine. Pick an area where you can make a change most easily. When one or two activities become habit, add another and watch your gasoline use drop.

With April designated as Oil Smart month in Spokane County, what a great time to get started on changing those gas-guzzling habits.

Oil Smart is a volunteer effort to reduce the number of times people drive alone, and to promote intelligent and responsible use of fossil fuels.

Every Wednesday during April, individuals are encouraged to take the bus, carpool, vanpool, bicycle, walk, run or telecommute to work instead of driving alone. Spokane Transit Authority is again offering free bus rides every Wednesday during April.

For more information on the Oil Smart Campaign, call the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority at 456-4727, ext. 115. Here is a list of resources to help you choose an alternative commute.

Commuter Resource List

Rideshare: Transmatch Program, Spokane County, 324-7650

Vanpool: Spokane Transit Authority, 326-POOL (TDD: 456-4327)

Bus: Spokane Transit Authority, 326-RIDE (TDD: 456-4327)

Bikes on Buses: Spokane Transit Authority, 325-6000, ext. 406

Bicycle: Bicycle Commuter Information, Steve Pilcher, City of Spokane, 625-6063; Spokane Bicycle Club Hotline, 325-1171; Bicycle Safety Instruction for school age children and adult commuters, Eileen Hyatt, 747-3778

Walk: Volkssport Association, Orv Lee, 489-3198

Telecommute: Spokane County Information, Melanie Rose, 324-3169; Telecommuting Coordinator, Washington State Energy Office, Scott Decker, 360-956-2055

For a free factsheet on Easy Ways to Save Gasoline, call the State Energy Office’s Energy Hotline at (800) 962-9731 or 324-7980 in Spokane.

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