Vehicle Maintenance

One gallon of used motor oil can contaminate one million gallons of water. Despite this fact, approximately 161 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed in US waterways each year (EPA 1996). In addition, used motor oil accounts for 40 percent of the oil pollution in our nation’s harbors and waterways (National Oil Recyclers Association 2001).

Used motor oil can destroy aquatic habitat and deplete streams of oxygen. Used coolant/antifreeze is a problem because current engine design makes it almost impossible to avoid spilling some of the product when it is changes. Most brands of  coolant/antifreeze consist of 95% ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic. During normal engine use, coolant/antifreeze becomes contaminated with lead, copper, zinc, cadmium and chromium (Nixon and Saphores 2003).

Oil stains on driveways and outdoor spills of antifreeze, brake fluid, and other automotive fluids are easily carried to streams during rainstorms.

You may wish to select vehicle maintenance as an Action Issue if there are a log of do-it-yourself oil and fluid changers in your jurisdiction.  

Target Audiences

• All vehicle owners, but particularly the do-it-yourself oil and fluids changers
• Be sure to include education materials for minority populations
• Commercial auto repair and maintenance shops

Approaches

Educate your citizens to:

• NEVER DUMP used oil, antifreeze, or gasoline down a storm drain, in a ditch, or on the ground. Every county in North Carolina has at least one used motor oil collection site available to its citizens.
• Maintain their vehicles to prevent leaking.
• Avoid spilling oil.
• Collect waste oil for recycling.
• Store oily car parts and fluid containers where rain and runoff cannot reach them.

Existing Educational Materials

Do not use any materials on this website without first contacting the sponsoring organization and obtaining their permission.

Slogans

• You Dump It, You Drink It (EPA)

Mass Media: Radio Advertising and PSAs

• Erik Estrada’s “You Dump It, You Drink It” PSAs geared for the Hispanic community

Print Materials:  Brochures

• You Dump It, You Drink It campaign in English and Spanish – numerous brochures (EPA)
• Automotive Waste Recycling (Orange County, NC)
• Fact Sheet – Used Motor Oil (NC Office of Pollution Prevention)
• Fact Sheet – Used Oil Filters (NC Office of Pollution Prevention)
• Fact Sheet – Used Antifreeze (NC Office of Pollution Prevention)
• Fact Sheet – Used Tires (NC Office of Pollution Prevention)
• Car Care for Cleaner Water (University of WI Cooperative Extension)
• Car Care Tips (County of Los Angeles, CA)

Websites

• You Dump It, You Drink It (EPA)
• Used Motor Oil Collection and Recycling (American Petroleum Institute)
• Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Montgomery County, MD)