People who believe that public transportation is the only way to lower gasoline prices should reconsider. A better driving style and regular maintenance can help motorists save money on gasoline. The Car Care Council states that simply changing a dirty or clogged air filter can increase gas mileage by up to 10 percent.
A new Car Care Guide explains in simple language how to maintain your vehicle’s safety, dependability, and value. The Car Care Council has published a free guide that can be downloaded from the site. www.carcare.org.
The guide can be kept in a glove box and is easy to access. It explains the most common maintenance procedures and repairs needed to save fuel, keep cars running reliably and safely, and preserve their long-term value. You can also find a list of questions to be asked when you are performing these repairs or maintenance on your vehicle.
This guide contains clear descriptions of 12 key vehicle systems and parts to aid motorists in their familiarization with them. Examples of these include steering and suspension as well as fuel and air intake, belts, hoses, and other parts. The Car Care Checklist helps busy families remember which vehicle systems should be maintained and when they should be repaired.
The Council points out that motorists who neglect to pay attention to basic safety issues such as under-inflating tires, dirty air filters, and gas caps that are damaged, loose, or missing millions of gallons of gasoline each year, can cause serious damage to their vehicles.
The way you drive can impact mileage. Aggressive driving can reduce gas mileage by up to 33 percent on the highway, and 5 percent in cities. Likewise, idle engine while waiting for friends or relatives gets you zero miles per gallon.
The Car Care Council is the information source for the “Be Car Care Aware”Consumer-education campaign to promote the benefits of vehicle maintenance, repair and regular vehicle care. For more information, please visit www.carcare.org.
