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Tyre Maintenance is Critical to Safe Driving

Long weekends, road trips to favorite fishing spots or summer cottages suggest long traveling distances, overloaded vehicles and high tyre temperatures. Add low tyre pressure, found in 30 percent of all cars and light trucks, and a potentially dangerous situation develops.

Your tyres, vehicles and family are at risk

Tyres play a crucial role in the safety of a vehicle. As the only part of the car that physically touches the ground, tyres are one of the key factors affecting a vehicle's handling and overall safety. "Proper tyre inflation and maintenance can extend tyre life, increase fuel efficiency and improve vehicle safety.

Long intervals of high-speed driving with low tyre pressure, excess vehicle weight and high temperatures cause additional flexing and stress on the sidewalls and can lead to tyre failure. In addition, tyres with low pressure wear more quickly, degrade the vehicle's handling, lower the vehicle's load-carrying ability and increase fuel consumption. In a worst-case scenario, under inflated tyres can lead to a catastrophic blowout or tread separation.

The facts suggest that a largely unseen and potentially dangerous problem exists for drivers:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found 27 percent of passenger cars and 33 percent of light trucks (including sport utility vehicles, vans and pick up trucks) are driven with one or more substantially under inflated tyres.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) responded to approximately 3.48 million calls related to tyre problems in 2000. AAA says tyres are one of the most important features of a motor vehicle, and regrettably one that is often overlooked by motorists.
A Consumer Reports study evaluated air pressure loss in 109 all-season passenger car tyres over a six-month period. These included 36 tyre models from 18 major brands. The results showed that all tires leaked some air, from 3 pounds per square inch (psi) in some models to 8 psi in others.
NHTSA estimated 23,000 crashes and 535 fatal crashes annually involve blowouts or flat tires.

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Summertime Car Care Tips

Undoing the wear and tear of winter should be job number one for motorists as they prepare for warmer weather ahead. Summer's heat, humidity and heavy stop-and-go traffic can cause marginal systems to fail. Why risk the inconvenience and aggravation of having your holiday interrupted? More importantly, any road-side breakdown on today's busy motorways is unsafe.

Here are some tips to get your vehicle ready for summer.

-- Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules. The manual contains a complete checklist of services, schedules and other important information about your vehicle.

-- Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition and concentration of coolant should be checked periodically. If you are doing your own work, make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap.

-- Have engine performance problems -- hard starts, rough idling, stalling -- corrected. You'll get better petrol mileage and you may prevent more expensive repairs later on. For example, something as simple as a rough idle could indicate an underlying problem that could ruin your vehicle's catalytic converter over time. The old adage, "Pay me now or pay me later," is especially true with today's high-tech, computerized systems.

-- If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own, modern equipment in the service bays and signs that the automotive technicians are qualified, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and training classes, as well as national certification.

-- The tightness and condition of belts, clamps and hoses should be checked by a qualified auto technician. Most do-it-yourselfers do not have the proper equipment. But weekenders can look for signs of wear, cracking or frayed belts. And, once again, don't ignore the service schedules listed in the owner's manual.

-- Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician. The air conditioners on older vehicles often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air through improper or incompetent service.

-- Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner's manual. (Properly dispose of used oil.) Polls of technicians overwhelmingly indicate that this is one of the most neglected services, and one that can greatly reduce the life of your car, light truck or SUV.

-- Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended in the service manual.

-- Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" before checking their pressure. Uneven wear, "cupping," vibrations or "pulling" to one side indicates problems with your tires or suspension system.

-- Don't neglect your transmission. Costly repairs can be prevented by routine service.

-- For safety and convenience, inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs. Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to fight summer's dust and insects.

Original Article Courtesy of ARA Content

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Environmental Car Care Tips

Drivers, why not make every day Earth Day?

According to officials, motorists can help the environment and their own finances by changing a few habits. This may come as surprise to those who think they must wait for hybrid or alternate-fueled vehicles to become popular.

They recommend regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits as two can't-fail action plans. Here are a few specific, easy-to-implement tips:

-- Keep the engine running at peak performance -- a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in your owner's manual. A well tuned engine pollutes less and uses less petrol than a neglected vehicle. Moreover, engine performance problems only get worse if neglected.

-- If you do your own repairs, be a good citizen. Dispose of engine fluids and batteries properly. A single quart of used motor oil can pollute thousands of gallons of water. Anti-freeze poured on the ground can poison wildlife and household pets. Some repair facilities accept used fluids and parts. Or call your local council for more information.

-- Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. If your air pressure is just a few pounds low, you force the engine to work harder (read: burn more petrol) just to move the vehicle. Tires that are misaligned also make your vehicle work harder. Consider, too, that poorly maintained tires wear out faster, which means more discards have to be scraped, recycled or sent to the landfill.

-- If you are not much of a do-it-yourselfer, find a good technician. Ask friends for recommendations. Check the reputation of the garage with your local consumer group. Check out the technicians' credentials. Certified technicians have passed one or more exams in specialties such as engine performance and air conditioning.

-- Have your vehicle's air conditioner serviced only by a technician certified to handle and recycle refrigerants. Older air conditioners contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which could be released into the atmosphere through improper service.

-- Avoid speeding and sudden accelerations. Both habits guzzle gas and put extra wear and tear on your vehicle's engine, transmission, steering and suspension system, and other components. Use cruise control and anticipate traffic patterns ahead. As a side benefit, your brakes will last longer.

-- When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. And, yes, walk more often.

-- Remove excess items from the vehicle's truck, since less weight means better mileage. Remove that roof-top luggage carrier after vacations to reduce air drag.

If appeals to save the environment are not enough, consider this: A well-maintained vehicle should last 50 percent longer than a neglected one. Good car care saves you money and helps the environment -- a win-win situation.

Original Article Courtesy of ARA Content

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The Top 10 Rules of High-Mileage Car Maintenance

People are keeping their vehicles longer and driving farther than ever before. Today, the average age of vehicles on the road is greater than nine years and more than 68 percent of vehicles have more than 75,000 miles.

As a vehicle's engine ages, its performance decreases and oil starts to break down at a faster rate. Over time, seals begin to deteriorate, gaskets become brittle and oil consumption increases -- all leading to a reduction in engine performance.

Treating your high-mileage vehicle with a little TLC and consistently following the 10 rules for high-mileage vehicle maintenance will help ensure it will go the distance. Using premium motor oil specially formulated for higher-mileage cars -- such as Castrol GTX High Mileage Formulation --will also help a higher-mileage car feel young again.

Rule #1 -- Make sure you change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles -- whichever comes first. No exceptions. Think of your engine as the heart of your car and motor oil as the lifeblood of the engine. One can't function without the other, so stay on top of your oil-change schedule.

Rule #2 -- Find a good mechanic. If you don't do your own maintenance, find a garage staffed by certified mechanics. A good mechanic will listen to your questions and explain procedures clearly.

Rule #3 -- Have your tire pressure checked at least once a month. It's the best way to prevent unexpected flats. A service station attendant can quickly and easily perform the check. Also make sure to rotate your tires and check their alignment as part of a regular tune-up (or with every other oil change).

Rule #4 -- Pay attention to warning signs. Of course, not every little thump or ping you hear spells disaster. Cars, like people, have their peculiarities, and you are sure to quickly learn what is normal for yours. With a high-mileage vehicle, however, it's best to check out any symptom --- be it a sound, smell or feeling -- that seems the slightest bit abnormal. Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Rule #5 -- Pay attention to outward signs. If your car is leaking fluids, it can mean serious trouble. Keep an eye on the conditions of your driveway or regular parking space for stains or spots that can warn you of possible leaks. Castrol's GTX High Mileage Formulation motor oil contains special conditioners that help protect and maintain seals, thereby helping to reduce leakage -- a common problem in older, higher-mileage engines.

Rule #6 -- Schedule regular tune-ups. Even if your high-mileage car seems fine, that's no guarantee it is. Use tune-ups to ensure your car's major components are running smoothly and that they stay that way. Your oil should be changed, tires checked and rotated if necessary, belts checked and replaced, brake lines inspected, spark plugs and air filter checked and replaced, and fuel injector checked. A good way to top off a tune-up is an overall analysis of your car's engine, and undercar, safety and computer systems.

Rule #7 -- Prepare your car for the seasons. If you live in a sunny climate all year round, you can skip this step. For the rest of us, visit the "Ask the Expert" feature at www.castrolusa.com for a checklist of seasonal maintenance practices for your high-mileage vehicle. Preparing your high-mileage car to defend against the elements will lessen its chances of needing repairs and save you money in the long run.

Rule #8 -- Check your fluids regularly. It's dangerous for your high-mileage car to get dehydrated, so be sure to keep an eye on its vital fluids. Simply lift the hood and perform a quick visual check. Use the dipstick to check the oil level; a quick glance at the coolant reservoir will let you know if you need more cooling fluid.

Rule #9 -- Store it properly. Storing your vehicle in a dry, temperate location when it is not in use will prevent disastrous wear and tear on both its interior and exterior. Garage your car whenever possible to protect its looks.

Rule #10 -- Stay on top of safety features. Nothing is more important than your car's ability to protect both you and your passengers. Air bags, antilock breaks and any other additional safety features that you may have added to your car should be carefully checked on a regular basis (when your car has a tune-up) to ensure that in the event of an accident, they will perform their vital, lifesaving functions.

Original Content Courtesy of ARA Content

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