| April 8, 2008 -- In honor of Earth Day, which will be celebrated this year on April 22, CarMD.com Corp. is providing a number of handy tips that drivers can use to become more environmentally conscious in their everyday driving habits. The company, which manufactures CarMD, the only consumer electronics device and software system designed to help drivers monitor their vehicle's health and emissions output, is encouraging all drivers to do their part to help reduce emissions and keep their cars, SUVs and minivans in tip-top road condition for optimum performance. "We are proud to join ranks with the more than 1,000,000,000 people worldwide who are taking part in Earth Day celebrations and doing their part to create a cleaner and healthier planet," said Kristin Brocoff, marketing manager for CarMD.com Corp. "By practicing some of these 'green' driving tips, we can all make a difference in the quality of air we breathe, help conserve our energy resources, and help reduce fuel costs for our vehicles." The Top 10 green driving tips from CarMD.com Corp are: 1. Avoid unnecessary driving by planning your trips wisely, making efficient routes and stops, and buying online when you can. 2. Keep your car well maintained by following your vehicle's service manual and getting regular oil changes. 3. Ensure proper tire maintenance, tread and inflation. A properly inflated tire can increase gas mileage 10 percent to 30 percent. (Ideal inflation should be listed in the owner’s manual). 4. Tighten the gas cap after every fill-up. 5. Avoid stop-and-go traffic by driving at off-peak times. 6. Limit idling. Did you know idling for over 10 seconds uses more gas and causes more pollution than simply restarting your engine? 7. Select the most efficient vehicle for your lifestyle (if you don't need an 8-seat SUV on a regular basis, don't buy one. Instead, consider renting a bigger vehicle for the few occasions in which you need it). 8. If budget allows, consider purchasing a green vehicle, such as a hybrid or one that runs on ethanol, which is made mostly of corn. 9. Get your annual or bi-annual emissions test. A majority of states and some local agencies require you to get your car "smogged" before you can sell it or register it. 10. Never drive for extended periods of time with an illuminated "Check Engine" light. CarMD's technology is tied to the nation's "Check Engine" light health. Beginning in 1996, the U.S. government mandated that vehicle manufacturers put on-board diagnostic computers on all cars, light trucks, SUVs and minivans -- foreign and domestic. If you drive a 1996 or newer vehicle, it's equipped with this on-board diagnostic system. This early-warning system looks for problems associated with emission output and triggers the Check Engine light when a problem occurs that could negatively affect the vehicle's emissions output. A Check Engine light can mean anything from a loose gas cap to a more catastrophic and costly problem that can negatively impact a vehicle's safety and hurt the environment. Winner of the 2007 CES Innovation Award in the mobile technology category, the CarMD handheld device plugs into any vehicle's dashboard to check for hidden problems in seconds. Drivers can use it to get road-trip ready, inspect used cars, solve engine problems and catch emissions-related problems before they can cause damage to the environment. An estimated 8 percent of all vehicles on the road today have an illuminated Check Engine light. You will not pass your state-mandated emissions ("smog") test if your check engine light is on. When a problem is found, the CarMD tester and PC software can tell you why it's on and let you generate a personalized diagnostic report with probable cause and estimated repair costs to help keep auto repair bills low. CarMD costs $89.99 and is available at www.CarMD.com or by calling 888.MyCarMD (888.692.2763). |
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