Each October, motorists across the United States observe National Car Care Month. Beginning in Ohio in 1980 and then expanding as a national effort in 1981, the event has earned the endorsement of car mechanics, consumer advocates, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations alike. The goal of Car Care Month is to advance the benefits of cleaner air, energy conservation, safer roads, and consumer savings through proper car maintenance. Hydrocarbons react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight and elevated temperatures to form ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone can cause eye irritation, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath and can lead to permanent lung damage.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, deadly gas.
It reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream and can impair mental functions and visual perception. In urban areas, motor vehicles are responsible for as much as 90 percent of carbon monoxide in the air. Bad driving habits have an impact on your car and the environment. Avoid high speeds. Fuel efficiency decreases significantly at speeds over 55 miles per hour.