Maryland Automobile Dealers Association Announces Free Green Check-Ups for Car Owners
Annapolis, MD, September 10, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Maryland Automobile Dealers Association is encouraging consumers to save on gas and increase their fuel efficiency with free “green checkups,” available at many dealerships throughout the state.
“With gas prices continuing to hover at record levels, and family budgets getting stretched further, the most simple step people can take is to keep up with proper care and maintenance,” said Peter Kitzmiller, president of MADA. “Not only will they get better fuel economy, but their vehicles will drive safer and last longer. The green checkup helps catch little things before they wind up costing big money at the pump.”
Developed by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the “Green Checkup” only takes about an hour and focuses on 10 key areas that affect fuel economy:
Motor oil. Top off and change oil as necessary with manufacturer-recommended grade, “energy conserving” motor oils. Doing so can improve fuel economy by up to 2 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Replacing conventional oils with synthetics may offer even greater fuel economy benefits.
Air filters. Make sure you change your air filter at the end of its recommended lifespan. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a vehicle’s gas mileage by up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Engine performance. Enhance fuel economy performance by having engines tuned and spark plugs replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. A single misfiring spark plug can cut fuel economy by up to 4 percent, according to the EPA.
Brakes. Improperly maintained brakes can result in unwanted drag. This unnecessary resistance can have the same effect as driving with a foot on the brake pedal: a dramatic drop in fuel economy.
Warning lights for “Service Engine Soon” or “Check Engine.” Ignoring these indicators may result in poor fuel economy performance and require expensive repairs. For example, a warning light may indicate a faulty oxygen sensor is sending more fuel to the engine than necessary, which can result in a 40 percent fuel economy decline. A warning light could also indicate a faulty thermostat, which can prevent a cold engine from reaching its normal operating temperature resulting in the unnecessary injection of fuel.
Tire wear. Replacing worn tires with a manufacturer-recommended size and style can save hundreds of dollars a year. To improve fuel economy performance, consider low rolling-resistance replacement tires.
Tire inflation pressure. Keeping tires inflated to at least the manufacturer-recommended pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent, according to the EPA. Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll, meaning more fill-ups.
Unnecessary items that add weight to the vehicle. Unnecessary weight lowers fuel economy; remove heavy items from your trunk and back seat.
Evaporative emission controls. Poorly operating evaporative emission controls can fail to capture gasoline vapors and recycle them to the fuel tank. Faulty controls waste gas and degrade air quality.
Transmission. Properly operating modern transmissions and drive components are critical to vehicle fuel economy performance. Routinely check proper fluid levels and system operation.
To locate dealerships in Maryland offering green checkups, visit http://www.greendrivingusa.com/maryland.html.
About the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association
Maryland Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) is a statewide association of new car and truck dealers managed by a Board of Directors, which consists of members representing districts throughout the State. MADA was founded in 1910 as a non-profit trade association for the purpose of: "facilitating the exchange of ideas among its members; to encourage sound business policies; to foster constructive motor vehicle legislation; to discourage destructive motor vehicle legislation, and to promote confidence, respect and good fellowship among all who are directly or indirectly engaged in the motor vehicle industry." For more information visit MADA online at www.mdauto.org.
About the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
NADA, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, Va., represents about 20,000 new-car and -truck dealers with 43,000 franchises, both domestic and import.
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“With gas prices continuing to hover at record levels, and family budgets getting stretched further, the most simple step people can take is to keep up with proper care and maintenance,” said Peter Kitzmiller, president of MADA. “Not only will they get better fuel economy, but their vehicles will drive safer and last longer. The green checkup helps catch little things before they wind up costing big money at the pump.”
Developed by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the “Green Checkup” only takes about an hour and focuses on 10 key areas that affect fuel economy:
Motor oil. Top off and change oil as necessary with manufacturer-recommended grade, “energy conserving” motor oils. Doing so can improve fuel economy by up to 2 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Replacing conventional oils with synthetics may offer even greater fuel economy benefits.
Air filters. Make sure you change your air filter at the end of its recommended lifespan. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a vehicle’s gas mileage by up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Engine performance. Enhance fuel economy performance by having engines tuned and spark plugs replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. A single misfiring spark plug can cut fuel economy by up to 4 percent, according to the EPA.
Brakes. Improperly maintained brakes can result in unwanted drag. This unnecessary resistance can have the same effect as driving with a foot on the brake pedal: a dramatic drop in fuel economy.
Warning lights for “Service Engine Soon” or “Check Engine.” Ignoring these indicators may result in poor fuel economy performance and require expensive repairs. For example, a warning light may indicate a faulty oxygen sensor is sending more fuel to the engine than necessary, which can result in a 40 percent fuel economy decline. A warning light could also indicate a faulty thermostat, which can prevent a cold engine from reaching its normal operating temperature resulting in the unnecessary injection of fuel.
Tire wear. Replacing worn tires with a manufacturer-recommended size and style can save hundreds of dollars a year. To improve fuel economy performance, consider low rolling-resistance replacement tires.
Tire inflation pressure. Keeping tires inflated to at least the manufacturer-recommended pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent, according to the EPA. Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll, meaning more fill-ups.
Unnecessary items that add weight to the vehicle. Unnecessary weight lowers fuel economy; remove heavy items from your trunk and back seat.
Evaporative emission controls. Poorly operating evaporative emission controls can fail to capture gasoline vapors and recycle them to the fuel tank. Faulty controls waste gas and degrade air quality.
Transmission. Properly operating modern transmissions and drive components are critical to vehicle fuel economy performance. Routinely check proper fluid levels and system operation.
To locate dealerships in Maryland offering green checkups, visit http://www.greendrivingusa.com/maryland.html.
About the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association
Maryland Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) is a statewide association of new car and truck dealers managed by a Board of Directors, which consists of members representing districts throughout the State. MADA was founded in 1910 as a non-profit trade association for the purpose of: "facilitating the exchange of ideas among its members; to encourage sound business policies; to foster constructive motor vehicle legislation; to discourage destructive motor vehicle legislation, and to promote confidence, respect and good fellowship among all who are directly or indirectly engaged in the motor vehicle industry." For more information visit MADA online at www.mdauto.org.
About the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
NADA, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, Va., represents about 20,000 new-car and -truck dealers with 43,000 franchises, both domestic and import.
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Contact
Maryland Automobile Dealers Association
Nancy Carr
410-971-0668
mdauto.org
Katie Jones
410-269-1710
Nancy Carr
410-971-0668
mdauto.org
Katie Jones
410-269-1710
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