"Be Car Care Aware" Campaign

The Car Care Council has launched a digital version of its popular Car Care Guide that can be easily accessed through the council’s Web site at www.carcare.org.

When it comes to vehicle safety, the brakes top the list of systems that need to be routinely inspected and repaired immediately should motorists suspect any problems. According to the Car Care Council, a properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of conditions. However, many people are unaware of the signs and symptoms that their brake system may need maintenance or repair.

Walking in a winter wonderland is a beautiful sight but safely driving through the glistening snow can rattle your nerves if you and your car aren’t prepared for winter. The Car Care Council suggests motorists have their vehicles winterized before harsh weather arrives and especially before embarking on road trips for the holidays. According to the council, the following steps will help get your vehicle ready for winter:

Winter is the season to be “Car Care Aware.”

The Car Care Council recommends performing the following tasks to get your vehicle ready for severe winter conditions. If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, visit a professional auto technician before the temperature dips.

Replacing worn windshield wipers can be a smart idea, but surprisingly few people remember to check them.

Out of all the vehicles passing through the 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.

More than 70 percent of motorists admit that they did not have their cars winterized in preparation for inclement weather, according to a survey conducted by the Car Care Council. This can prove extremely dangerous if your car breaks down due to a lack of preventative maintenance. Why take the risk?

The good news is that it’s not too late to prepare your vehicle for harsh winter weather. The Car Care Council recommends the following tasks be performed by a do-it-yourselfer or professional automotive technician”:

When gas prices drop, motorists should take advantage of their savings at the pump and invest it back into their vehicles. By spending a little on preventative maintenance, drivers can save a lot in the long run, according to the Car Care Council.

Checking your vehicle’s antifreeze level during the cold winter months is a simple and inexpensive way to make sure your car won’t leave you stranded. Antifreeze is important because it is used to cool the car's engine, as well as protect it from freezing in cold weather. It also acts as the key agent in providing heat inside the car’s cabin.

Car commercials would have us believe that the mark of success is in the vehicle that we drive. Reality is quite different, according to The Millionaire Next Door. The New York Times Best Seller maintains that “you aren’t what you drive,” citing that most millionaires don’t live extravagant lifestyles, but spend wisely and live within their means regardless of their income.

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.