Five Steps to a "Greener" Car

It doesn't matter if the car you're driving is new or old, big or small. There are preventive maintenance steps every vehicle owner can take to make sure their car is as "green" or environmentally friendly as possible, according to the Car Care Council.

By following five simple preventive maintenance steps, you can help protect the environment by improving gas mileage, which in turn saves money at the pump.

1) The first step is to keep your car properly tuned for optimum performance. A well-tuned engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy and produces the lowest level of emissions. A 21st Century tune-up for modern vehicles includes the following system checks: battery, charging and starting; engine mechanical; powertrain control (including onboard diagnostic checks); fuel; ignition; and emissions. A 21st Century tune-up can improve gas mileage by an average of four percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve gas mileage by as much as 40 percent.

2) The second step is to regularly check and replace dirty air filters. An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a "rich" mixture - too much gas being burned for the amount of air - that wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents a gallon.

Aggressive Vehicle Maintenance Essential For Maximum Efficiency, Fuel Economy

Suddenly, fuel costs are soaring, and motorists are increasingly challenged to keep their vehicles in top running order to maximize fuel economy -- and keep it that way. The key to this is proper vehicle maintenance to ensure that every mile is driven at maximum vehicle efficiency.

Good driving habits and keeping your vehicle properly maintained can help maximize gas mileage from almost any vehicle - and save you money.

"A vehicle idling rough, performing sluggishly, stalling and sputtering, and delivering poor gas mileage usually means vehicle maintenance has been ignored, and a tune-up is very much in order," says Reid Smith, Product Manager for Spark Plugs at Bosch. "There is less to tune in today's vehicles, but you can start by installing a fresh set of premium spark plugs and wires. A well-tuned engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy".

10 Basic Car Care Tips to Improve Safety and Reliability

Something as basic as checking the oil can go a long way toward improving the safety and reliability of your vehicle, plus it helps avoid costly repairs down the road. The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best:

    * Check the oil, filters and fluids. Oil should be checked at every fill-up, and for maximum engine life, it should be changed per the owner's manual recommended intervals or every three months or 3,000 miles. Brake, transmission, power steering, coolant and windshield washer fluids should also be checked regularly. Your car's filters, including those for the transmission, fuel system and interior ventilation, need regular inspection and replacement.

    * Inspect hoses at each oil change and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen or restricted. Check V-belts and serpentine belts for looseness and condition, and have them replaced when cracked, frayed, glazed or showing signs of excessive wear. Typically replace the timing belt between 60,000 and 90,000 miles or the interval specified in the owner's manual to avoid a breakdown or serious engine damage.

Simple Suggestions for Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Have you thought ahead about what you're gonna get Mom on Mother's Day? One place to look for useful ideas is from the driver's seat of the car, especially if Mom spends a lot of time behind the wheel.

Her vehicle is her home away from home and gifts that enhance her enjoyment of that second home are likely to be appreciated, suggests Rich White, spokesperson for the Car Care Council. "We tend to gravitate toward gifts like jewelry, a framed photo or flowers," he says. "But why not break from the traditional and dress up her car? Maybe she's always wanted a sunroof or has admired someone's wood grained dash trim. Her wish could come true, with the help of your local auto specialty shop."

White suggests that, beyond the obvious gifts such as a car phone or floormats, Mom might appreciate having her damaged steering wheel replaced with one that's stylish, possibly leather covered. Her sun-damaged and faded padded dash could be repaired, replaced, or recovered to upgrade the interior.

Top 12 Car Care Myths Debunked

An old adage says: "April showers bring May flowers." I'd like to add:  "and dirty cars!" With gloomy weather and poor driving conditions in the rear-view mirror and sunny days ahead, April is the perfect time to give your vehicle a thorough spring cleaning. To help maintain that new-car shine through spring and into summer, Meguiar's, the century-old leader in vehicle appearance care, has sent us this list of what they call the "Dirty Dozen" car care myths, as well as real facts on how to keep your vehicle looking its best.

Myth 1: Dishwashing detergent is safe to use as car wash.
Absolutely Not! Would you use dishwashing detergent on your hair? Then why would you use it on your car? With repeated use, dishwashing detergents remove everything from your paint finish including waxes, silicones, and polymers.  For best results, use a pH-balanced car wash product. Whether you use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash or other high-quality products, these products contain cleansers and conditioners specifically formulated to enhance the appearance and protection of automotive paint finishes.

Myth 2: Washing and cleaning are the same. 
While they sound similar, they are vastly different procedures.  A car wash removes loose contaminants from your finish like dust, road grime, and fresh bird droppings. On the other hand, paint cleaners and clay bars such as ScratchX and Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit remove stubborn stains, blemishes, and bonded contaminants like paint overspray and tree sap mist that won't flush off with simple washing. 

Check Your Tires For Proper Inflation To Be Safe, Save Gas, Save Money, And Help The Environment

During Earth Month, the Automobile Club reminds us that motorists can do their part not just on Earth Day but all throughout the year to help the environment, save gas, and be safe with one simple action:  checking their vehicle's tire pressure. Properly inflated tires improve vehicle safety while reducing emissions and gas usage, says the Auto Club.

The Auto Club, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (representing the tire industry), the California Highway Patrol, and Yokohama Tire Company joined forces at an event in Southern California during National Tire Safety Week, April 20-26, to draw drivers' attention to the safety and economic benefits of basic tire care. 

Michelin and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) driver, Stefan Johansson, are also promoting tire safety and maintenance tips for National Tire Safety Week, focusing on proper tire inflation as the number-one priority for drivers when it comes to tire safety and performance.

Ease Gas Pump Pains by Replacing Old Habits with New Ones

Gas pump prices remain on their roller-coaster ride, with more ups than downs. They’re hard on the budget and beyond consumers’ control. With some changes in our daily habits, however, we can compensate, at least partially, for rising fuel costs. Adhering to your errand list, thereby eliminating an extra trip to the store for a forgotten item, saves miles and dollars. (U.S. Department of Transportation reports 63% of all trips are 5 miles or less)

Beyond sensible trip planning and conservative driving, several conditions under the hood and around the car can be corrected to conserve gas. “Under inflated tires waste fuel,” says Rich White, spokesman for the Car Care Council. “You can improve your gas mileage by about 3% just by maintaining proper tire pressure, a factor that’s high on the failure rate in our National Car Care Month check lanes.

“Chalk up another 10% for a clogged air filter plus a conservative 4% for engine malfunctions such as worn spark plugs and faulty fuel and emission control systems. Correcting these conditions can improve mileage by as much as 40%!”

Family Automotive Tips from the Car Care Council

By Susan Jones, Car Care Council Women’s Board member

The Women’s Board of the Car Care Council encourages women to improve their “car smarts” and pass along this information to the rest of their family. Female drivers already are on the right tract, according to the Women’s Board, who said that three out of four women think that following the recommended maintenance schedule for their car is either “important” or “extremely important.”

There’s no one like a parent to teach the next generation how to treat a car with special care. A good example from Mom or Dad can impress upon youngsters that keeping a car safe and dependable rests almost entirely on the driver and her preventive maintenance habits.

Here are the Women’s Board’s top 10 tips to help young motorists take care of their second biggest investment:

Check Engine Light - Don't Ignore me!

What is Your Car's "Check Engine" Light Telling You?

One of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle is the 'Check Engine' light. It alerts the driver to a variety of potential problems based on the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system, and can seem like one of the most mysterious lights on your dashboard. When the 'Check Engine' light comes on, it means that some system in your vehicle, including ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating at peak performance, even if your vehicle appears to you to be running normally. The warning light generally indicates that the engine management computer has detected a malfunctioning fuel, emissions component, or a system failure.

Don't panic if you see the light: According to the Car Care Council, a glowing 'Check Engine' light doesn't mean you have to immediately pull the car over to the side of the road, but it does mean you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring the warning light could severely damage engine components and incur additional repair expenses.

If your 'Check Engine' light comes on, first check the gas cap to make sure it wasn't left loose after a recent refueling -- sometimes this can trigger the 'Check Engine' light. Remove the gas cap, and then tighten it firmly again. If the cap was loose, the light should go out after a few short trips.

It Does Rain in California - Time to Check or Replace Worn Windshield Wipers

So, it has been raining cats and dogs in California this week and was lucky I had snagged myself some RainX wipers recently. Of course, they were in my garage as I drove in a torrential downpour (it was almost like a hurricane. Almost.) and used my three-year-old, stock wipers. Oops. Lesson learned the hard way. When I got back home, the first thing I did was install new wiper blades. Turns out you don’t need a special tool. You just pop ‘em off and pop ‘em on!

In Tune With Engine Noises

Noises. We’ve all heard them coming from under the hood at one time or another in our cars and trucks. But for Travis Alexander of Walla Walla, Washington, his ears are filled with the roar of engines every weekend. You see, Travis is the engine specialist on the No. 41 Target Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. He’s in charge of taking care of the engines after they get to the racetrack.

It's Travis’ responsibility to make sure the powerplants run smoothly once at the speedway.

An engine failure during a race eliminates any chances of winning. So as you can imagine, Travis plays an integral role on the No. 41 race team. His top priority: keeping a 750-horsepower, 358-cubic-inch engine running at peak performance over the race weekend. Travis has a keen ear for diagnosing engine miscues and he knows it’s nothing more than splitting possibilities down to only one.

It only takes Travis about 30 to 45 minutes to change out an engine. In that same amount of time, you can diagnose an engine problem in your own vehicle.

Nearly 40 Percent Of Moms Spend Two Or More Hours A Day Behind The Wheel Of Their Cars

Blink Car Care Products Help Them Tame the Mess

A recent study by online mothers' community mamasource.com said moms are making, on average, at least three trips a day and about 40 percent are spending at least two or more hours behind the wheel of their vehicles. My best friend Carrie is one of these women. Her brand-new Honda Pilot has clocked 7500 miles in the few months she has owned it.

With trips to school, ball games, and practices, as well as daily errands and work schedules, life can get hectic and messy inside the family car. But the all-new Blink line  of car care items help eliminate clutter, litter, spills, stains, and fingerprints quickly and with little effort. Each of the five products are disposable and come in handy compact packages that can be clipped onto car door pockets and seatbacks or stored in glove boxes, center consoles, or seat organizers.

"We have become this generation of stay-in-the-car moms," said Stacy DeBroff, parenting guru, author, and founder of www.momcentral.com. "And for it, our cars pay a price. But these products offer solutions to several problems moms encounter in the car."

"The car is really an extension of the home for most moms, yet due to its size, it's much harder to maintain. Research shows that moms like me are typically unhappy with the state of the family car's interior, yet the last thing we want to do is take time out of our already busy schedules to clean it. We'd prefer to spend that extra time with our families," said DeBroff. "That's why these products were designed to be within reach for quick cleaning or tidying up the vehicle in less than five minutes, quickly, easily and without hassle. Messes happen in an instant and now they can be cleaned in an instant."

Ice And Snow Can Bring Driving Woes But Prestone Offers Tips, Tools, And Safe Driving Rules

Though white winter wonderlands are beautiful to see, they often bring the blues with them. Bone chilling temperatures, snow storms, and icy roadways are just a few seasonal characteristics that cause some people to consider relocating to a warmer climate.

While there's not much that can be done to help those who despise winter, the hassle of preparing your vehicle for the season can be a lot easier thanks to a few winter fighting tips from the experts at Prestone.

Here's their list of do's and don'ts to keep in mind during the upcoming winter driving season.

DO:
*    Get rid of the blues (washer fluid that is). Some plain blue washer fluids don't add up to much more than water and a little bit of solvent, so they can freeze on your windshield when the temps go south. Instead, fill your reservoir with Prestone De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid with Dirt Blocker. It can clear light ice and improve driving visibility.

*    Change your oil.  Motorists who travel short trips of less than 10 miles when outside temperatures remain below freezing should follow a severe maintenance oil change schedule. While the recommended change interval is 3,000 to 5,000 miles, a severe schedule may require more frequent oil changes. You should consult your owner's manual to learn the interval schedule that works best for your vehicle.

Car Care Tops List of Thanksgiving Preparations

As Americans get ready for Thanksgiving, car care tops the list of pre-holiday preparations, according to a survey conducted by the Car Care Council.

Both men and women say they are more likely to make sure the car taking them to Thanksgiving dinner is prepared for the trip (66 percent) than they are to iron tablecloths (18 percent) or polish silver (12 percent) in advance of the holiday meal.

“Proper car care is important at all times, but is particularly critical during the busiest travel season of the year,” said Rich White, spokesman for the Car Care Council. “Yet, despite good intentions, the majority of motorists do not always follow through. The ‘Be Car Care Aware’ education campaign was launched to encourage drivers to perform proper vehicle maintenance.

Danica Patrick's ABC's of Getting Your Car Winter Worthy

Danica Patrick, IndyCar Series sensation offers the ABC's of making your car ready for winter: "I learned how to drive in the Midwest, famous for some of the most extreme winter weather conditions," Danica said. "This taught me that harsh weather can be very hard on a car. You're risking a breakdown if you don't take the time to prepare your vehicle for the winter, even if you don't have your own pit crew."

A recent survey commissioned by the Car Care Council found 70% of people admitted to not winterizing their vehicle. In fact, AAA estimates vehicle breakdowns top 5 million during the winter holiday season alone. "Many people are intimidated by the idea of "home car care" but there is no reason you can't do it yourself," Danica said. "Not everyone has a pit crew to help them stay in the race."

Danica recommends that you use these "Easy as ABC" tips to help your car run smooth all year round, and spend less money doing it!

Winter Weather Windshield Advisory

Many car owners make special preparations with the advance of winter’s colder temperatures and extreme weather conditions. They equip their cars with snow tires, make sure their car’s antifreeze is topped off, and might even buy special winter windshield wiper blades.

I live in Los Angeles, so "Winter Weather" doesn't mean much more than rain for me. I just changed my own wiper blades this weekend in preparation for upcoming winter's wet weather, so I thought it might be a good time to remind other women to make time for their own winter weather preparation. Two wiper blade assemblies for my Honda Accord cost less than $10 from the local auto parts store and they took about five minutes to install right there in the parking lot. Easy!

But what about your windshield? DId you know it requires its own maintenance as well?

Many car owners make special preparations with the advance of winter’s colder temperatures and extreme weather conditions. They equip their cars with snow tires, make sure their car’s antifreeze is topped off, and might even buy special winter windshield wiper blades.

I live in Los Angeles, so "Winter Weather" doesn't mean much more than rain for me. I just changed my own wiper blades this weekend in preparation for upcoming winter's wet weather, so I thought it might be a good time to remind other women to make time for their own winter weather preparation. Two wiper blade assemblies for my Honda Accord cost less than $10 from the local auto parts store and they took about five minutes to install right there in the parking lot. Easy!

But what about your windshield? DId you know it requires its own maintenance as well?

Many car owners make special preparations with the advance of winter’s colder temperatures and extreme weather conditions. They equip their cars with snow tires, make sure their car’s antifreeze is topped off, and might even buy special winter windshield wiper blades.

I live in Los Angeles, so "Winter Weather" doesn't mean much more than rain for me. I just changed my own wiper blades this weekend in preparation for upcoming winter's wet weather, so I thought it might be a good time to remind other women to make time for their own winter weather preparation. Two wiper blade assemblies for my Honda Accord cost less than $10 from the local auto parts store and they took about five minutes to install right there in the parking lot. Easy!

But what about your windshield? DId you know it requires its own maintenance as well?

Get Your Vehicle Ready for Winter

Mechanical failure—an inconvenience any time it occurs—can be deadly in the winter. Preventive maintenance is a must. Besides, even if your winters are normally mild, a well maintained vehicle is more enjoyable to drive, will last longer, and should command a higher resale price.

Here’s advice from the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (www.ase.com) Some of the following tips can be performed by any do-it-yourselfer; others require the skilled hands of an auto technician.

Read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules.

 

Great Tips To Help You Save Gas

With gas prices hovering just above $3 a gallon, we're all looking for ways to save money at the pump. Goodwrench offers the following tips to help drivers conserve gas and reduce the load on your wallet.

1. Go the speed limit. Use cruise control.
Speed limits are calculated for maximum safety - they'll also reward you with maximum gas mileage. You can get up to 20 percent more mileage traveling 55 mph than 70 mph. Use your cruise control for additional gas savings.

2. Drive evenly. Avoid hard stops.
Quick starts burn gas while hard stops also cost you so avoid jackrabbit starts. Take your foot off the accelerator and coast a bit before stopping for a traffic light or a stop sign.

3. Avoid idling and rush hour traffic.
You're burning fuel while idling - up to a gallon every hour. So, avoid rush hour traffic when possible.

Give Microscopic Hitchhikers the Brush-Off: GM Goodwrench Shares Car Cleaning Tips

You might think your car or truck is clean. However, GM Goodwrench suggests most drivers don't even realize they're carrying around a dirty little secret in their car. That's why Goodwrench suggests keeping the interior of your vehicle clean is important, especially for people with allergies.

"Keeping your vehicle interior clear of dust, liquids, and other particles is one of the most overlooked areas of vehicle maintenance," says Peter Lord, executive director, GM Service Operations. "Neglecting interior cleanliness can lead to health and sanitary concerns."

Cleanliness in our kitchens, hotel rooms, and restaurants is a hot topic, but many people forget to take the simple steps needed to keep the interiors of their vehicle clean. This is particularly important given the amount of time most people spend in their vehicles. The average American generally spends up to 2.5 hours per day driving--that's almost 38 days out of the year.

Allergens such as pollen or bacteria are just some of the substances that invade our vehicles. Traveling with a pet can add hair and dander to the mix. In addition, residues from road dust, soot, pesticides, and other chemicals collect in car and truck interiors, entering through ventilation ducts or open windows and doors. Their effects are compounded during cold winter months when windows are shut tight, locking the irritants inside.

57 Tools for Do-It-Yourselfers (DIYers) from the Car Care Council

Whether on the road or at home, you need to be equipped some basic survival items and tools that can make driving and living with your car easier, safer and more convenient.

Here are some suggestions as a starting place, divided into two categories: Emergency Road Kit and Basic Maintenance Tools. You can customize the list according to your needs and your ambitions. The Car Care Council offer this list to help keep you safe and prepared for minor repairs on the road.

                                                             

 

The Eyes of Your Automobile

Are your headlights aimed correctly?

According to the National Safety Council, the number of traffic deaths is three times greater at night than during the day. Since ninety percent of a driver's reaction depends on visibility, it is extremely important that your headlights are aimed correctly, are clean and are working.

If other drivers are flashing their lights at you, it could be a sign that your headlights are not adjusted correctly. Another telltale sign is when you cannot see the full road with your high or low beams.

Even if your lenses are only slightly off the mark it still reduces your ability to see, increases night time glare and throws off depth perception.

If It Looks Like A Flat, Feels Like A Flat, And Sounds Like A Flat, Guess What…!

CCNS - A flat tire shouldn’t be reason for panic. “In schools where drivers’ education isn’t available,” observes one educator, “tire changing ought to be included in home economics.” The Car Care Council suggests that motorists who are unprepared to deal with a flat tire are faced not only with added expense and inconvenience; they also are more vulnerable to foul weather and roadside crime.

Among the obstacles is a spare tire that’s buried under layers of trunk junk. Not only is it hard to reach, it may have gone flat during its long period of hibernation. In another scenario the jack and/or jack handle might be missing.

If everything is where it should be and ready to use, will the driver know how to do so? The Council offers a few suggestions to help the victim of a flat tire to get back on the road quickly and safely.

Keep Those Ashes Off Your Car!

Ashes from the raging forest fires in Southern California should not harm paint finishes as long as they remain dry, according to Barry Meguiar, president/CEO of Meguiar’s, Inc., a leading car care brand in America.  The problem is that they will not stay dry for long.

The elements in wood ash -- including calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium -- are inert and have no effect in their dry form.  According to Meguiar, automotive paint finishes face a serious risk of chemical etching when these elements are mixed with water.  As an example (for those who don’t remember their college chemistry labs), potassium mixed with water can become potassium hydroxide, which would have characteristics similar to Draino.

Leaving your ash-covered car outside on wet nights and foggy mornings could allow chemical etching to take place.  If your car must be left outside, you can minimize or completely eliminate the threat of paint damage by washing your car every day until the fires are over.

Car Care Guide Takes Mystery Out of Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

Motorists Can Order Free Guide Online

Bethesda, MD - A new Car Care Guide for motorists turns technical automotive jargon into easy-to-understand everyday language, taking the mystery out of vehicle maintenance and repair. The free guide, published by the Car Care Council, can be ordered on the council’s Web site at www.carcare.org.

The guide, which fits easily in a glove box, explains the nine most common preventative maintenance procedures and repairs that need to be performed to keep cars operating safely and reliably, while maintaining their long-term value. It also includes a list of questions to ask when these maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car.

To further familiarize motorists with their vehicles, the guide has clear, concise descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts. A Car Care Checklist reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.

“The first step toward a safe and dependable vehicle is to be car care aware – to understand your vehicle, what kind of care it needs, when it needs it and why,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “The easy-to-follow guide provides this information, cutting through the technical language and terms that often confuse or prevent motorists from really taking good care of their vehicles.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Download this article in PDF format

 

Tips for Proper Maintenance Before Taking Fall Trips Or Color Tours

GM and Goodwrench provide tips for fall travel to prevent breakdowns along the way

Whether it's a journey through the forest to capture its changing hues; a tailgating adventure to cheer an alma mater to victory; or a late-season trek to the amusement park, fall is becoming an increasingly popular travel season.

In fact, according to AAA, North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, fall travel now accounts for 23 percent of all travel nationally. Increasing numbers of travelers are vacationing in autumn when lodging and other costs are generally less expensive than in summer months. The trend toward fall trips is also prompted by more Americans taking extended weekend trips throughout the year, rather than the traditional two-week summer trip, and the desire to travel at less congested times, AAA notes.

AAA's data shows that a family of four taking a fall trek will spend an average $269 per day in fuel, food, lodging, and entertainment during September, October, and November. Hit the roads with a poorly maintained vehicle, however, and leaves may not be the only things turning red.

"Many travelers spend hours researching destinations, mapping routes, and making reservations at the finest inns and restaurants, yet ruin the entire experience with a broken belt or car tire issue that could have been quickly and easily addressed beforehand," says Peter Lord, executive director, GM Service Operations. "Above all, the number one item travelers should pack this fall is a fully functioning vehicle."

Learn This for "Safety's Sake"

CCNS - We've all heard the exclamation, "For Pete's sake!" But in the world of automotive emergencies, motorists need to learn certain procedures for "safety's sake." Two of the mo