"Be Car Care Aware" Campaign

According to the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), motorists can help the environment and their own finances by incorporating a few good practices. Regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits are two simple ways any car owner can go “green” — both for the environment and one’s own wallet.

Here are a few specific, easy-to-implement tips from ASE:

Winterizing your vehicle is a wise idea, says the Car Care Council.  An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during severe weather.

“The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A vehicle check before the temperatures drop is a sensible way to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.” 

Deep down, you know your car should be checked out before hitting the road for any holiday trip, but with so many other things left to do, some folks put it off. Bad idea, says the Car Care Council, especially when motorists realize that in as little as 10 minutes, they can determine if their car is ready for long-distance travel.

The 10-minute pre-trip checkup recommended by the council includes the following:

One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is small potatoes compared to a big helping of inconvenience if you break down many miles away from home, according to the Car Care Council.

Moving into a new area, who’s the most important professional you seek out? Your family doctor, of course, a dentist, your pharmacist and, somewhere down the road… your auto mechanic.

The decision on your car care professional, while not a critical as selecting health care professionals, nevertheless is important. Further, that should be made when you’re in control of the situation, not when the car breaks down and can’t be driven.

(“Where do you want me to tow your car, ma’am?” “Gosh, I don’t know?!”)

A new video from the non-profit Car Care Council entitled “Auto Service and Repair: What to Expect,” takes the guesswork out of auto service by giving consumers a behind-the-scenes look at the repair shop experience.

Driving less doesn’t have to be a consumer’s reaction to rising gas prices, according to the Car Care Council. While consumers can’t control the price of gas, they can control how much gas they use by following some simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance.

Over-priced airline ticket – check. Excessive baggage fees – check. Long security lines and airport delays – check. Rather than embarking on an expensive, stress-filled trip by air, the Car Care Council advises that driving is the way to go to keep costs and stress in check this holiday season.