Auto Maintenance

There is a direct connection between auto maintenance and water quality in a world in which we all rely on our vehicles for work and leisure. However, the problem with some automobiles is that they leak oil, grease, gasoline, brake fluid, and antifreeze on the pavement. Our water bodies and ecosystems suffer when the pavement is washed clean after a rain storm.

Please consider doing and “environmental check” on your vehicle by fixing leaks and performing regular maintenance to reduce the risk of pollutant discharge on to the pavement.

 

Leaking Vehicles:
If your vehicle is leaking fluids, make repairs as soon as possible. A short-term, immediate solution is to put an oil drip pan with absorbent materials under your vehicle wherever it is parked. Until the repair is made, you must capture the leak and prevent fluids from reaching the street or gutter where it can be carried into the storm drain conveyance system and into our waterways. One way to minimize hazardous vehicle substances from entering the streets or gutters is to simply position your downspouts away from your driveway.

 

Maintaining your Vehicle:
Keep you cars tuned up and in good operating condition. Maintain a vehicle service record and schedule an oil change every three months or three thousand miles. Keep you tire pressure at the recommended pressure to optimize fuel efficiency.

 

Recycling Automotive Waste
When changing fluids, store the substance and other automotive materials in sealable containers. Mark the containers. Never mix different substances in one container. Store the containers in a secure location out of reach of children, animals and out of contact with water. Dispose of these wastes at designated waste disposal sites. Follow the link to Information about Sheboygan County’s Household Hazardous Waste Flyer for waste disposal locations and times of operation or search www.cleanup.org for other locations.