KILLER LOVE AFFAIR

orth Americans have a love affair with cars that started back in the early 1900's, even here in Old Ottawa South. We drive them, wash them, polish them and talk about them. Unfortunately, our love affair with the automobile has created serious environmental and health problems.

In hot weather, vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors and other air pollutants result in ground-level ozone, an important component of smog. The notion that smog only exists in urban areas is not correct, because significant ozone "episodes" have been recorded over rural areas as well.

The more exhaust we create by driving our cars, the worse the smog build-up. This can cause problems for people with allergies, asthma and breathing difficulties. It can also damage farm crops, trees and animals.

Ground-level ozone is growing at a rate of one per cent annually and a change in individual driving habits is key to reversing this growing trend.

Walk or bicycle instead of driving whenever possible. Use public transit or car pool, instead of one person driving one car to work. Not only is it bad for the environment, it also puts a strain on our roads.

Keep your car in top driving condition with regular servicing and seasonal tune-ups. Use the recommended grade of gasoline for maximum engine efficiency. Check your tire pressure regularly. Properly inflated tires can help conserve gasoline and save you money.

Regardless of the fuel you use, driving a car will have an impact on the environment. Here's how to minimize that impact, and save money:

• Whenever possible, leave your car at home. Try public transportation.In good weather, give the old bike and the old muscles a workout.
• Keep to the speed limit. Leave a little earlier than usual; then sit back, relax, ease up on the gas pedal...and enjoy.
• Improve fuel efficiency by lowering your vehicle's wind and rolling resistance.
• Keep tires properly inflated and remove roof racks when not in use. For highway driving, close the sunroof and windows: use the vehicle's flow-through ventilation instead.
• To help you accelerate slowly, imagine placing a raw egg between your foot and the gas pedal.
• Keep the engine properly tuned. Avoid idling. If you will be stopped for more than a minute, turn the engine off. Listen to local traffic reports and bypass traffic snarls.
• Watch the traffic ahead of you and adjust your speed to changes in traffic flow. Ease off the gas pedal or downshift well in advance, allowing the car to slow gradually and smoothly.
• Combine errands so that you can do several in the same trip.
• Use the overdrive gear on the highway.
• Remove any unnecessary weight from the vehicle.
• Be sure the parking brake is off. Don't rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
• In winter, avoid prolonged warm-ups. Thirty seconds should do it. Drive slowly for the first few kilo metres to allow the engine components to warm up.
• Use a timer switch to turn on your block heater two or three hours before you plan to drive. A warm engine means easier starting.
• In summer, use the car's flow-through ventilation instead of the air conditioner.