• Clean Air Day
• Clean Air Tips During Traffic Reports
• Mission Soapbox Derby
• AirCare Repair Newsletter

TOP STORIES

Clean Air Day

On June 2, 2010, Canadians celebrate Clean Air Day. Clean Air Day is an excellent opportunity for residents of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley region to reflect on their vehicle usage, the impact of vehicle emissions on local air quality and ways to reduce it.

This year, the AirCare program has once again partnered with the Automotive Retailers Association and the British Columbia Automobile Association to highlight the environmental and financial benefits of proper tire inflation. On Clean Air Day every motorist having an AirCare inspection will receive a tire pressure gauge and an information package. 

By ensuring tires are properly inflated, vehicle owners can minimize their fuel consumption, save money at the pump and help safeguard our environment. Motorists can find out the proper tire pressure setting for their vehicle by checking the information placard that is usually located in the driver's door opening area. Consult your owner's manual for the location of the placard on your vehicle.

Clean Air Day is a British Columbia initiative created in 1992 to increase public awareness of the benefits of participating in environmentally friendly activities that promote clean air and good health. The Government of Canada proclaimed Clean Air Day in 1999 with the goal to increase public awareness and action on clean air and climate change.

Clean Air Tips During Traffic Reports

Starting May 31, listeners of CKNW AM980 and STARfm 98.3 will hear vehicle related clean air tips during traffic reports.  These AirCare sponsored tips will air until mid-September. The following tips are simple steps we can take to help reduce the smog forming and greenhouse gas emissions we produce in our normal daily routines.

• Reduce the amount you drive. Combine trips to save time and reduce emissions.
• Walk, bike, carpool, and use public transit more often.
• Maintain your vehicle properly. Following the maintenance schedule shown in your owner's manual can reduce emissions, lower fuel costs, and minimize the potential for vehicle breakdown.
• Keep your tires properly inflated. Properly inflated tires will help you save money, fuel, and reduce emissions.
• DO NOT ignore your vehicle's check engine light. If you have a 1998 or newer light-duty vehicle, and the check engine light (also called Malfunction Indicator Lamp or MIL) is illuminated, it means that your vehicle has an emissions defect. Have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
• Don't idle your vehicle. Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and money.
• Buying a vehicle? Check its AirCare inspection history or have it tested at an AirCare inspection centre to be certain it has no emission problems.
• Consider fuel efficiency when buying a vehicle.
• If you have more than one family vehicle, make a habit of using the more fuel efficient one as much as possible.

Mission Soapbox Derby

The AirCare program is proud to be one of the sponsors of the Mission Soapbox Derby.  This year's event will be held on June 19 on Stave Lake Street and Prentis Avenue, Mission at 9:00 am.  The event is open to boys and girls aged 8-14.  Pre-race and registration deadline is June 6. Please visit http://www.missionsoapbox.com for more information.

AirCare Repair Newsletter

Since 1993, the AirCare program has printed a newsletter for the vehicle emissions repair industry.  The AirCare Repair Newsletter is a valuable resource for all automotive technicians and "backyard mechanics". Each newsletter (60 and counting) contains a section called, "The Analyzer" which has in-depth analysis of common to difficult emission defects and the best ways to diagnosis and repair them.  The AirCare Repair Newsletter is available to all interested parties by simply visiting the AirCare RepairNet website at http://repairnet.aircare.ca/newsletterindex.php

OPERATIONAL STATISTICS
April 2009 (YTD) 
Total Inspections: 42,898 (171,110) 
Pass: 37,386 (149,821)
Fail: 5,362 (20,631)
Conditional Pass: 150 (658)