Presidential Candidates Promote Vehicle Maintenance on Campaign Trail

Tire Inflation, Tune-ups Transcend Party Affiliation

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 7 -- No matter where the presidential candidates are on the campaign trail, the issue of skyrocketing gas prices is always a top concern. The Car Care Council applauds both candidates who have recently discussed vehicle maintenance as a way to save energy, citing proper tire inflation and regular tune-ups. In fact, according to the survey by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), 75 percent of drivers said they are better maintaining their vehicles because of rising gas prices.

"We commend Senators McCain and Obama for shedding light on the importance of vehicle maintenance as Americans seek to save energy," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "You can't control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn. Performing simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance does not only save gas money, perhaps as much as $1,200 per year, but it also improves a vehicle's safety and dependability."

The Car Care Council offers these maintenance tips that can add up to big savings:

-- When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on, and can save 12 cents per gallon, according to the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site, www.fueleconomy.gov.

-- 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 percent, saving about 15 cents on a gallon.

-- A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as three million times each 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat, electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.

-- Keep your car properly tuned. A 21st Century tune-up can improve your gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

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.