Fueling Up

When fueling up, take care when the tank is nearly full - those little drips and drops of spilled gas are a major source of pollution. Avoid topping off the tank - that means pumping in more gas after the pump cuts itself off.  Topping off releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump's anti-pollution devices.

Also, have you ever seen those emergency shutoff switches at a gas station? If you answered no, you better start looking! Emergency shutoff switches are generally located by the building entrance. Make sure you notice the location of the switch before you start pumping. This way if something goes drastically wrong while you're pumping, or if you or someone near you loses control of the hose and gas spills all over the place, you can run and shut off the system, saving the city from a natural disaster! If this happens, there is usually a telephone number listed below the shutoff switch. It indicates the people to call to properly clean up the mess that's been created.

Did you know it's best to refuel by moonlight? (More romantic, too.) Gasoline generates fewer polluting hydrocarbon vapors when it's cool and dark outside.

Detergent fuels keep engines running cleaner and emit fewer pollutants.

And that bothersome gas cap you always leave on the top of the car? Try to remember to screw it back on, because it prevents vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. Plus, you can lose up to 30 gallons of gas a year by not tightening that gas cap!  Tighten away!  Also, if you forget to replace it or you don't tighten it until it clicks several times, it could signal your car's computer to turn on the "service engine soon" light on the dashboard.

Go on to read about Oil Changes>