(NAPSA)—According to a USA Today analysis of federal highway data, Americans are cutting back on driving for the first time in 26 years, due in great part to the high cost of gas. Consumers can boost their savings even further by maintaining adequate carcare. Besides helping the environment, a properly maintained and operated vehicle will run more efficiently, will be safer and will last longer, according to a survey of auto technicians by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. You can drive down your cost of car repairs if you heed some advice. Monitor tires. Underin- flated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. e Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle and store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. Consolidate trips and errands. Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family. Keep your engine tuned up. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by 30 percent. Observe the speed limit. Mileage decreases sharply above 55 mph. Drive gently. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-andgo conditions. Inspect engine belts regu- larly. Worn belts will affect the engine performance. Look for cracks and missing sections or segments. Changethe oil regularly to minimize friction and promote Keeping your car on the ‘road to safety and savings includes keeping it in good shape so you’re never stranded in the wrong placeat the wrong time. better fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and create less need for repairs. Today, electronics make up nearly half of a car’s value—and make it almost impossible for most car owners to work on their own vehicle. Fortunately, to reduce out- of-pocket expenses, there are extended automobile warranties such as the Rest Assured Best Dealer Services warranty that offers no-hassle coverage. Manufacturers provide limitedtime warranties because they know how long a car’s various parts can be expected to last. Warranties usually are good for only three years. Extended warranties let drivers get the most out of a car and avoid losing money by trading the car in too early or by paying for repairs. Along with the extended warranty, drivers also get Road America Motor Club for roadside repairs and hotel and car-rental discounts if the car breaks down far from home. Learn More For more information, call (800) 649-1857.
