Keeping Your Vehicle In Tune With The Environment

win situation. Besides helping the environment, a properly maintained and operated vehicle will run moreefficiently, will be safer and will last longer. The following tips from the Na- tional Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) can help put you on the road to environmen- ponN a ey tally conscious car care. e Keep your engine tuned up. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner’s manual. Check your tires for proper inflation. Underinflation wastes fuel—your engine has to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out of alignment make the engine work harder, too. Keep your air conditioner in top condition and have it serviced only by a technician whois certi- fied for handling/recycling refrigerants. Ozone-depleting gases can escape from older vehicles’ air conditioners through im- proper service. Dispose of used motor oil, antifreeze/coolant, tires and old batteries properly. Observe speed limits. Mileage decreases sharply above 55 miles per hour. Drive gently. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-andgo’s. Use cruise control on open highways to help maintain a steady speed. e Avoid excessive idling. Today’s vehicles are designed to “warm up” fast, so forget about Taking care for your car is a simple way to help take care of the environment. those five-minute warm-ups on cold winter mornings. Remove excess items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Plan trips to eliminate un- necessary driving. Travel when traffic is light or join a carpool. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organiza- tion dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntarytesting and certification of automotive professionals. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign. Visit www.asecert.org for more information and for additional car care tips.