Boats, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles can be a lot of fun. They, however, can also emit pollution into the air since they often use gasoline-fuelled, spark-ignition, two-stroke engines. Marine engines are particularly high contributors of hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions, producing ground-level ozone. If you own a recreational vehicle, make a difference and follow the list of tips below to reduce your emissions.

Learn more about what Environment Canada is doing to address pollution from recreational vehicles.

Tips

All vehicles
•Eliminate unnecessary idling.
•Limit engine operation at full throttle.
•Avoid spilling gasoline. Use a gasoline container you can handle easily and hold securely, and pour slowly and smoothly.
•Transport and store gasoline out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
•Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule and prepare engines properly for winter storage.

Boats
•Invest in two different sized motors for your boat, a smaller one for fishing and sightseeing, and a larger one for when you want to water-ski. Use the larger motor sparingly, since it uses more fuel and produces more emissions.
•Consider replacing the two-stroke outboard motor on your boat with cleaner four-stroke technology. Quick Fact: 1, 2, 3

Snowmobiles
•When purchasing a new snowmobile, consider buying one that has a cleaner, more fuel-efficient engine, or that takes advantage of four-stroke technology.
•If your goal is just to relax and get back to nature, consider using cross-country skis or snowshoes instead of a snowmobile. You will get exercise and see more wildlife because you are quieter.