Helpful Info
Are You Ready For The Road?
An average of 13,000 Americans are killed between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, some as a result of unperformed vehicle maintenance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each year, neglected maintenance leads to more than 2,600 deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries and more than $2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage.
Most mechanical failures can be traced to neglected maintenance. For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that the leading cause of mechanical breakdowns on our nation's highways is overheating, a condition that is easily avoidable. Other deficiencies that are simple to detect include low antifreeze/coolant, worn or loose drive belts, and defective cooling system hoses.
Checking tire pressure and inflating a tire costs nothing, yet an average of 21 percent of cars inspected in check lanes during National Car Care Month have under-inflated tires. This can lead to a blowout and a serious accident.
Fuel-Saving Tips
| Condition | Effect | MPG Penalty up to |
| Under-inflated tires | Increase rolling resistance | 1-2mpg |
| Dirty air filter | Causes excessively rich fuel/air mixture | 2.0mpg |
| Worn spark plugs | Cause inefficient combustion, wasted fuel | 2.0mpg |
| Worn O2 sensor | Unable to detect and adjust air/fuel mixture | 3mpg |
| Dirty or substandard engine oil | Increases internal engine friction | 0.4mpg |
| Loose gas cap | Allows fuel to evaporate | 2.0mpg |
| Potential loss in fuel economy if all of the above were neglected | 11.4mpg | |
