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Motor Vehicle Defects and Safety Recalls: What Every Vehicle Owner Should Know

Approximately 42,000 lives are lost annually on our Nation’s highways. Traffic crashes are the primary cause of debilitating injuries in the United States and the number one killer of Americans under the age of 34. In addition to staggering emotional costs, the annual economic loss to society because of these crashes, in terms of worker productivity, medical costs, insurance costs, etc., is estimated at more than $150 billion. Clearly, there is a need for dramatic improvement in motor vehicle safety. Getting unsafe vehicles off the road is integral to improving safety and saving lives.

Surprise Mom with a Clean Car

Between running errands and shuffling kids to and from practice and school, moms have very little time to clean out the crumbs, papers, water bottles, fast food wrappers and other stuff that accumulate in the family car. This Mother’s Day, surprise mom with the simple gift of a clean car that will not only make her smile, but will also lessen her driving distractions, according to the Car Care Council.

Hurricane Sufferers Victimized

Hurricane sufferers of Katrina and Rita who have already been displaced from their homes and lives, are now being further victimized by swindlers who are looking to take advantage of them, especially women, by an illegal car selling scam that involves flood damaged cars.

Traditional Summer Family Vehicle Vacation Better Deal Than Flying Driving Saves Nearly $1,000

Even if gas prices hit $5 a gallon, the traditional family vacation by vehicle costs less, is more convenient and not as stressful as flying, according to the Car Care Council.  A family of four traveling by car costs the same as one person traveling by air.  

Staying Cool in Hot Weather Driving

The inside of your car is full of hot air and this time the culprit is a malfunctioning air conditioning (A/C) system. According to the Car Care Council, an annual checkup of your vehicle’s A/C system will help prevent it from breaking down when you most need it, especially with record high temperatures hitting many parts of the country.

The typical A/C service consists of the following:

Summertime the Right Time to Check Wiper Blades

Do your windshield wiper blades smear, screech or chatter when you turn them on? If so, you are not alone, according to the Car Care Council.

Out of all the vehicles passing through the 2005 National Car Care Month vehicle check events, close to one-fifth (17 percent) had front windshield wiper failures and 12 percent needed service on their rear wipers and/or washer.

Summer Fuel Saving Tips

In light of the higher gasoline prices, the Car Care Council is offering gas-saving maintenance and driving tips that really work.

“Millions of dollars worth of gasoline is wasted every day by motorists, and neglecting vehicle maintenance is the culprit,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “Loose or missing gas caps, under inflated tires, worn spark plugs and dirty air filters all contribute to poor fuel economy.”

The Car Care Council offers these fuel-saving tips:

4C’s of Winter Driving

Check:

New Version of Car Care Guide Shows How to Save Gas and Drive Green

New sections on Fuel Economy and Environmental Awareness have been added to the Car Care Guide to show consumers how to get better gas mileage and make their vehicle environmentally friendly. Published by the Car Care Council, the guide is a popular consumer give-away at repair shops and retail stores.  

The Fuel Economy section covers the parts of the car that need proper maintenance in order to maximize efficiency and save money at the pump. It recommends typical service intervals and includes questions to ask the automotive repair technician.  

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