Car Care Guide now helps consumers drive clean and save some green

The Car Care Council recently added new sections on fuel economy and environmental awareness to its popular Car Care Guide. The sections show consumers how to get better gas mileage — and save money — while making their cars more environmentally friendly. The guide, which is published by the Council, is a popular consumer give-away at repair shops and retail stores.

"he new sections are designed to help people better understand that the amount of gas they use is directly related to how they maintain and drive their vehicle," says Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council.

According to White, the fuel economy section covers the parts of the car that need proper maintenance in order to maximize efficiency and save money at the pump. It recommends typical service intervals and includes questions to ask the automotive repair technician.

The section on environmental awareness explains how motorists can do their part to protect the environment in terms of driving habits and vehicle maintenance. This section has tips on driving green and lists the components of a vehicle that should be routinely checked to make sure a car's performance is as environmentally friendly as possible.

The Car Care Guide uses easy-to-understand everyday language, instead of technical automotive jargon, and fits easily in a glove box. The guide covers the most common preventative maintenance occasions and procedures that need to be performed to keep cars safe, dependable and efficient. It also includes descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts, and a list of questions to ask when maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car. A Car Care Checklist reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.

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. For more information on the campaing, visit the Council's Web site. Single copies of the Car Care Guide are also available online.