Tips

To Reduce Carbon Monoxide

Keep your vehicle tuned up and well maintained. Don't ignore dashboard warning lights that may indicate problems with your exhaust system. Minor repairs often can result in better gas mileage and less pollution from your tailpipe.
Limit drive time by combining errands and car-pooling when possible.
Avoid driving your car on days when air quality is poor.
During the coolest periods of the day, try to drive less and not use gas-burning appliance
To improve gas mileage, keep your vehicle tuned up and your tires properly inflated and aligned.
Avoid revving up or idling engines more than 30 seconds. Don't sit in long drive-through lines. Park your car, turn off your engine, and walk inside to conduct business.
Limit use of wood-burning fireplaces, especially on bad air quality days.
Call the DMV's Smog Hotline at 642-SMOG (7664) to report smoking vehicles you see on valley roadways. You need to include a vehicle's license plate number, make, cross street location, and the time and date you saw the vehicle.
Take advantage of the RTC's local rideshare programs and public transit options. Call 228-7433 for CAT-RIDE or CLUB-RIDE information.

To Reduce Dust and Particulate

Drive on paved roads only. Driving on dirt roads raises dust, a major source of the valley's haze and particulate matter (PM10) problems.
Don't take short cuts across vacant lots.
Fence off barren property or cover it with gravel, rock or desert-friendly landscaping.
Ride ATV's and other off-road vehicles outside the valley's non-attainment area.
Call the Department of Air Quality's dust complaint hotline at 385-DUST (3878) to report excessive amounts of blowing dust from construction sites and other sources. Every complaint is investigated.
Combine vehicle trips to reduce how often you start your car and the number of miles you travel.
Car pool and/or use alternative methods of transportation when possible. For bus-route and CLUB Ride Commuter Services information, contact the Regional Transportation Commission at 228-7433, CAT-RIDE.
Reduce wood burning, especially on high dust days.
Use a propane barbecue grill instead of a wood or charcoal-burning grill.

To Reduce Ozone

Refuel after sunset. Filling up your gas tank after dark prevents gas fumes from reacting with sunlight to create ozone
Don't top off your gas tank. Topping off releases gasoline fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump's anti-pollution devices.
Take care of your car. Regular tune-ups, oil changes and other maintenance tasks extend your car's life and reduce your car's emissions by more than half.
Limit engine idling. Car exhaust is a major source of pollutants that contribute to the formation of ozone.
Avoid quick accelerations from stop signs and traffic lights.
Drive fewer miles and consider other modes of transportation such as carpooling, walking, and riding a bicycle or public transit. The Regional Transportation Commission offers rideshare programs and public transportation options. Call 228-7433 for CAT-RIDE or CLUB-RIDE information.
Postpone unnecessary trips. It’s better to combine errands into one trip. You’ll get things done faster and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Starting up a car engine that has been sitting for an hour or more pollutes up to five times more than a warm car engine.
Boaters, just like any motorist, should limit needless idling and avoid going full throttle. See more boating pollution prevention tips at: www.epa.gov/otaq/boat-fs.htm.
Avoid using household products with high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Any chemicals compounds that give off strong odors such as pesticides or cleaning products contain VOCs. Use water-based cleansers and solvents instead of products packaged in aerosol cans.
Use latex rather than oil-based paints, especially in the summer. Paint with a brush and not a sprayer.
Mow your lawn in the evening.
Use electric-powered lawn equipment instead of gas-powered and other types of two-cycle engine equipment. If you use gas-powered equipment, avoid spills when you refuel.
Don’t use charcoal lighter fluid when you barbecue. Use a charcoal chimney, electric starter or propane grill.
Remember to conserve energy. Turn up your thermostat a few degrees. Use ceiling fans where possible. Less energy use means fewer pollutants are emitted from power plants.

Travel to Smog City - Experiment with the relationship between weather conditions and Ozone.

Smog City