Campaign targets young car lovers, clean air

Vida en el Valle

(Published Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 09:00AM)

FRESNO -- Young people who like their cars to look fancy and be fast can do their part to make sure they are not contributing to the area's dirty air.

That is the message the state Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Automotive Repair are touting to young car loves through the DriveHealthy.com campaign. Officials joined New California Media and other groups in promoting the campaign with a Green Street car show last Saturday at Manchester Center.

Bureau representative Michael Bolten said young car owners can help by simple things like making sure their tire pressure is correct, changing their oil and air filters, and servicing their car when warning lights appear.

"This campaign is coming out at the appropriate time," said Bolten, referring to high gasoline prices and the bad air quality worsened by burning forest fires throughout the state.

Duncan Polytechnical High School students Roy Robinson and Peter Thongvathsa said young car lovers can do their part by not removing the catalytic converters from their cars.

"Many people care just about looks and how powerful the car is," said Thongvathsa. "More power equals more pollution for our air."

Cars and the environment can co-exist, said Rosario Marín, secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency, in a statement.

"Vehicle efficiency and air quality are not mutually exclusive," she said. "By making Californians more aware and knowledgeable about proper vehicle maintenance through DriveHealthy.com, we can make a big difference in our state."