Car Tips
Keeping Your Vehicle in Tune with the Environment
Car care is definitely a win-win situation. Besides helping the environment, a properly maintained and operated vehicle will run more efficiently, will be safer, and will last longer—up to 50 percent longer, according to a survey of ASE-certified master auto technicians. The following tips should put you on the road to environmentally-conscious car care.
Keep your engine tuned up.
A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended.
Check your tires for proper inflation.
Underinflation waters fuel—your engine has to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out-of-line (as evidenced by uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder too. Properly maintained tires will last longer, meaning few scrap tires have to be disposed.
Keep your air conditioner in top condition and have it serviced only by a technician certified competent to handle/recycle refrigerants.
Do-it-yourselfers:
Dispose of used motor oil, anti-freeze/coolant, tires and old batteries properly. Many repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local municipal or country government for recycling sites.
Observe speed limit.
Mileage decreases sharply above 55 mph.
Drive gently.
Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-and-gos. Use cruise control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.
Avoid excessive idling.
Shut off engine while waiting for family and friends. Today's vehicles are designed to "warm up" fast, so forget about those long warm-ups on cold winter mornings.
Remove excessive items from your vehicle.
Less weight means better mileage. Store luggage/cargo in the trunk rather than on the roof to reduce air drag.
Remember, how your car runs, how you drive it, and how its fluids, old parts, and tires are disposed of all have serious consequences on the environment.
What to Do in Case of an Accident
Most drivers make costly, long-term decision errors immediately following an accident as fear gives way to anger and frustration. Questions race through your head faster than the mind can register them. Who was at fault? Will my car ever be right again? What are my rights and responsibilities? A calm and informed reaction to an accident will reduce your chances for additional grief and expense.
Move your vehicle to a safe place, then stop and identify yourself to the other driver. (Some state or local statutes may require the vehicle be left as is.) If it can't be moved, turn on the hazard lights. Seek medical help if you or other parties require it and notify the police. Tell them who you are, where you are, and about any obvious or claimed injuries.
Exchange information with the other driver(s) including driver's license numbers. Get the driver's name, address, telephone numbers, and name of insurance company. Also list any passengers and witnesses.
Get names and badge numbers of any police officers who arrive at the scene. If there are injuries or extensive damage, the police should file a report. Ask to get a copy.
Avoid any extensive discussions at the scene about who is responsible for damage. If the other person admits responsibility, offers a money settlement and you accept, any future claim against the driver may be compromised. You or the other party may later find damage and bodily injury not apparent at first.
Write a complete description of the accident as soon as possible. Include weather conditions, estimated speeds, and as much precise information as you can observe. Take photographs if a camera is available.
Have the vehicle towed or driven to a collision repair facility of your choice.
Notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible.
Important Items to Carry in Your Vehicle
In case of road-side emergencies, accidents, or bad weather, always have in your vehicle the following items:
- Jumper cables
- Pliers, an adjustable wrench, and a screwdriver
- A first-aid kit
- Blankets
- A supply of any regularly needed or taken medications
- Candles and matches
- Sand or kitty litter for climates with snow or ice
- Clean water
- Canned fruit or nuts and a can opener
Car Care Tips
According to recent studies, 5 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities are clearly caused by automobile maintenance neglect. The following simple and inexpensive preventive checks will greatly extend the life of the vehicle, ensure safer operation and even benefit the environment.
- Always consult your owner's manual, but a good rule of thumb is to have the oil filter changed regularly, every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
- Have all fluids checked, including brake, power steering, transmission/transaxle, windshield washer solvent, and antifreeze. These fluids play a large role in the safety and performance of the vehicle.
- Check tire inflation. Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of fuel efficiency. This is the least expensive form of preventive and safety maintenance. Tires should be checked once a month.
- Keep your engine tuned. A fouled spark plug or plugged/restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.
- Have the chassis lubricated frequently. This step extends the life of the moving components of the vehicle's suspension system.
- Check battery cables and posts for corrosion and clean them as needed. The battery fluid should also be checked and filled if it is low, except in the case of maintenance-free batteries.
- Have the lighting system checked frequently, including headlights, turn signals, and brake and tail lights.
- Check windshield washer blades for cracks, tears, and windshield contact. Replace them approximately once a year or sooner if streaking begins.
- Inspect engine belts regularly. Worn belts will affect the engine performance. Look for cracks and missing sections or segments.
- Have the air filtration system checked frequently. The air filter should be checked approximately every other oil change for clogging or damage. This system ensures that the vehicle is performing at its peak condition.
- Always consult the vehicle owner's manual for individual service schedules as manufacturer maintenance requirements vary greatly.
Beat the rising cost of gas before you hit the pump!
Millions of dollars worth of gasoline is wasted every day by motorists because simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance is neglected. Loose or missing gas caps, under-inflated tires, worn spark plugs, and dirty air filters all contribute to poor fuel economy.
Vehicle gas caps: About 17% of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
Underinflated tires: When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
Worn spark plugs: A vehicle can have either four, six, or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
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, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, saving about 15 cents a gallon.
Fuel saving driving tips:
Don't be an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33% on the highway and 5% on city streets, which results in 7 to 49 cents per gallon.
Avoid excessive idling. Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mph driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.
Combining errands into one trip saves gas and time. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multi-purpose trip covering the same distance.
Avoid carrying unneeded heavy items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds can cut fuel efficiency by a percent or two.
Also Noteworthy
Statistics compiled from recent National Car Care Month events show that 77% of all vehicles brought to check lanes during these events are found in need of repair or maintenance. Among failures noted in check lanes during the past 5 years:
- 27% had low or dirty engine oil
- 23% had low tire pressure
- 26% had inadequate cooling protection
- 21% needed new belts
- 17% had dirty air filters
- 11% had low or contaminated brake fluid
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that mechanical defects and/or worn equipment on vehicles are a causative or aggravating factor in 12.6% of vehicle crashes. With 41,821 traffic fatalities reported annually (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2000), as many as 5,200 deaths are attributed, at least in part, to this cause each year. Much of this tragedy and economic waste is preventable with proper maintenance.
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