WEST MILFORD Anyone who got their car washed at Mountain Lakes Car Wash on Saturday, November 18 got more than a suds and rinse. Grassroots organization Sustainable West Milford teamed up with the car wash and Lakeland Auto Parts to offer a free tire pressure check service. The service included safety, maintenance and environmental information on tire pressure in general, the correct tire pressure for their car, tires filled to the recommended pressure, and even a free tire pressure gauge courtesy of Lakeland Auto Parts. The effort was led by Sustainable members Wendy Watson-Hallowell and Elena Valentino, who did the research, created the partnerships, and made it happen. “The cost of improperly inflated tires shows up not only in gas mileage, but also in tire wear” commented Valentino, “Its just like paying five cents more per gallon, and with prices being what they are, who needs that?” “The customers seemed to genuinely appreciate what we were doing and we were pleased to be able to provide a useful service that has a positive impact on our environment and our wallets,” said Watson-Hallowell. “We checked almost 100 cars and found a wide range of situations. Many owners did not know where to find the correct tire pressure information inside their car or when it was best to check their tire pressure. There was a variety of over’ and under’ inflation found in the cars we did check. About 30 percent of the cars had all of their tires under or over inflated with the majority of those drivers unaware of the proper pressure and without a gauge to check it. Hopefully that will change now that they have the information and tools in hand!” Mountain Lakes Car Wash owner Pete Esposito and wife Hilary support sustainability efforts for West Milford and their business models many sustainable practices. Recycling 94 percent of the water used to wash each car, utilizing used motor oil as fuel for the building’s heat, an energy efficient building and a paperless order system are just a few of the ways this business earns a green star. Lakeland Auto Parts also does what they can to be green they are an oil recycling center and provide free disposal of old car batteries. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and Lakeland Auto Parts has several products that can increase your vehicle’s efficiency and performance while reducing the impact on the environment. Planning is underway to hold another free pressure check event in the spring of 2007, and in the meantime, Sustainable West Milford provides many other volunteer opportunities for residents. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday January 22. For more information on this meeting and sustainability, visit the Web site at www.sustainablewestmilford.org.