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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

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Vehicle Maintenance Activities

Along with reducing vehicle tailpipe emissions through regular inspections, there are other vehicle maintenance activities that can help reduce stormwater runoff pollution. Unfortunately, when these activities—including changing vehicle oil and other fluids, car washing, and storage and disposal methods—are not practiced correctly, it can contribute to runoff contamination.1

Examples of best practices for vehicle maintenance to minimize runoff and stormwater pollution include:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
-Immediately repair any fluid leaks such as oil, antifreeze, etc.
-Use drip pans and funnels to prevent spills and leaks
-Immediately clean up any spills with an absorbent material (preferably not with water)
-Minimize the number of solvents used
-Use non-toxic, non-hazardous cleaning products
-Wash vehicles at a designated car wash, or in the lawn instead of a driveway
-Properly store and dispose of waste materials at designated locations
-Never dump anything directly into storm drains, drainage ditches, or groundwater

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • Automobile repair shops
  • Car owners
  • Drainage engineers
  • Local businesses
  • Policymakers
Along with reducing vehicle tailpipe emissions through regular inspections, there are other vehicle maintenance activities that can help reduce stormwater runoff pollution. Unfortunately, when these activities—including changing vehicle oil and other fluids, car washing, and storage and disposal methods—are not practiced correctly, it can contribute to runoff contamination.1
Examples of best practices for vehicle maintenance to minimize runoff and stormwater pollution include:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
-Immediately repair any fluid leaks such as oil, antifreeze, etc.
-Use drip pans and funnels to prevent spills and leaks
-Immediately clean up any spills with an absorbent material (preferably not with water)
-Minimize the number of solvents used
-Use non-toxic, non-hazardous cleaning products
-Wash vehicles at a designated car wash, or in the lawn instead of a driveway
-Properly store and dispose of waste materials at designated locations
-Never dump anything directly into storm drains, drainage ditches, or groundwater

How it Helps

Improper vehicle maintenance activities can generate waste that ends up on streets, driveways, and other surfaces that is eventually carried off by rainwater into the storm drain system and pollutes lakes, streams, and rivers.2,8 This has severe environmental and ecological impacts, such as destroying natural habitats for fish and wildlife and contributing to flooding or water shortages. It is estimated that used motor oil is the single largest source of oil pollution, and only one quart of used oil poured down a storm drain can contaminate one million gallons of water.9

Implementing

Education:

Pollution permits and policies cannot prevent all runoff from improper vehicle maintenance activities, as it is mostly up to community members altering individual activities to reduce stormwater pollution.2 Therefore, the general public should be thoroughly educated on how their actions can reduce runoff and prevent widespread ecosystem contamination. Many of the vehicle maintenance-related activities are easy to adopt, but many car owners and repair shops may be unaware how their current actions are contributing to the problem.

Spill Prevention and Cleanup Plans:

Vehicle maintenance and car wash facilities should have specific response plans regarding procedures in the case of spills or leaks. All employees should be well aware of the outlined procedures and be ready to adopt them when the incident arises. Local governments, wastewater treatment plans, and local health departments can help provide guidance regarding the development of response plans, the identification of disposal sites, and other helpful information.

Examples

1) Construction Site Activities: Stormwater Best Management Practice
Although vehicle maintenance activities should occur in specific locations to minimize the possibility of stormwater contamination, it is sometimes necessary for them to occur on construction sites.3 Fortunately, there are a number of ways for construction site operators to ensure that these actions are carried out in the safest ways possible. For example, construction vehicles and equipment should be inspected daily and regularly repaired to prevent leaks and spills. Construction staff should properly dispose of all used chemicals and materials, as well as be ready to implement procedures outlined in spill cleanup plans. Additionally, construction vehicle washing should only occur in designed wash areas with specific cleaners.
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/bmp-vehicle-maintenance-and-washing-areas-at-construction-sites.pdf
1. The University of Carolina at Chapel Hill. Environmental Affairs. https://ehs.unc.edu/environmental/fact-sheets/stormwater-best-management-practices-for-vehicle-maintenance-activities/
2. King County. Stormwater runoff pollution and how to reduce it. https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/water-and-land/stormwater/introduction/stormwater-runoff.aspx
3. EPA. (2021). Stormwater Best Management Practice: Vehicle Maintenance and Washing Areas at Construction Sites. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/bmp-vehicle-maintenance-and-washing-areas-at-construction-sites.pdf
4. Rethink Runoff. Practice Eco-friendly Car Care. https://rethinkrunoff.org/what-you-can-do/eco-friendly-car-care/
5. Stormwater Center. Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet: Automobile Maintenance. https://www.stormwatercenter.net/Pollution_Prevention_Factsheets/AutomobileMaintenance.htm
6. Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District. Car Maintenance. https://cleanwatercampaign.org/protect-our-water/car-maintenance/
7. Vehicle Maintenance. https://stormwater.allianceforthebay.org/take-action/habits-to-help/vehicle-maintenance
8. Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program. Automotive Maintenance. https://www.mywatershedwatch.org/residents/automotive-maintenance/
9. Mid-America Regional Council. Oil and Water Don't Mix. https://cfpub.epa.gov/npstbx/files/KSMO_oil.pdf