Sales of Locking Gas Caps Rise with Gas Prices; Pep Boys Reminds Motorists to Maintain Vehicles to Enhance Fuel Economy
May 02 2006 - 4:30PM
Business Wire
The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE:PBY), the nation's
leading automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, is seeing
a steady increase in the sale of locking gas caps, which correlates
to the rise in gas prices. Locking gas caps require that a key be
used to remove the cap from the fuel fill pipe, which prevents
someone from siphoning fuel. Pep Boys sells nearly 25 different
part numbers of locking gas caps, ranging in price from
approximately $14.99 to $29.99, as well as replacement OEM gas
caps. To purchase a cap, motorists will need to know their vehicle
year, make and model, as the caps are built to accommodate the
various styles used by the manufacturer. Sales of the locking caps
more than doubled in the last week, as motorists seek ways to
protect their cars and pocketbooks. "A great way to protect your
vehicle from fuel theft and the costly damage that often
accompanies fuel theft is to protect your fuel with a locking gas
cap," says Pep Boys Vice President of Retail Merchandising Galen
Bullock. "Pep Boys has a wide array of locking gas caps in stock to
fit a variety of vehicles." Gas caps also help with passenger
safety and emission control. Without a gas cap, gasoline vapors
could be present around a car at any time. Those vapors could be
ignited by a random spark or flame and are very dangerous if a
driver is involved in an accident. Gasoline vapors can also emit
hydrocarbons which dissolve the earth's ozone layer and cause smog.
Proper vehicle care provides additional insurance to enhance fuel
economy. Pep Boys reminds motorists to maximize fuel economy by
maintaining proper air pressure in their tires and properly
maintaining their vehicle. Pep Boys offers all of these services at
a considerable savings over the price of a dealer's services. Here
are 8 things motorists should be mindful of to make their cars more
fuel efficient: -- Engine performance - Probably the biggest waste
of gas is an inefficient engine, commonly shown to the driver
through an illuminated check engine light. Often, repair or
replacement of malfunctioning components such as mass airflow
sensors, oxygen sensors, and others will frequently restore fuel
efficiency. In addition, periodic fuel system cleaning removes
carbon build-up from engines and can improve gas mileage. -- Tire
Pressure - Under- or over-inflation of tires can lead to decreased
fuel mileage and improper wear, shortening the life of the tires.
Consumers should consult their owner's manuals for the recommended
tire pressure and check their tires monthly with a tire pressure
gauge. -- Air Filters - Dirty air filters can cause engines to run
at less than peak efficiency. Regular visual checks of the air
filter can show if it needs replacing, and the owner's manual will
suggest appropriate replacement intervals. -- Oil - Using the
correct viscosity is important because high viscosity oils have
greater resistance to the moving parts of the engine, and that uses
more gas. -- Unnecessary Air Conditioner Use - Using the air
conditioner excessively consumes more gas, so motorists should be
prudent when turning on the A/C. -- Driving Style - Quick starts
from a stoplight or stop sign use more fuel than a smooth steady
acceleration. Adjusting driving styles can save gas. -- Extended
Idling Time - Unnecessary idling of the engine will cause excessive
fuel use, so avoid keeping the car running "while you run into the
store for a minute." -- Alignment - Improper alignment of both the
front and rear wheels and suspension decreases ease of steering,
shortens tire life, increases road vibrations and drag, resulting
in decreased fuel economy. Maintain alignment regularly for optimum
results. About Pep Boys Pep Boys has 593 stores and over 6,000
service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its vehicle
repair and maintenance capabilities, the company also serves the
commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading
sellers of replacement tires in the United States. Customers can
find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS or by visiting
pepboys.com.
Prospect Capital Corpora... (NYSE:PBY)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024
Prospect Capital Corpora... (NYSE:PBY)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2023 to Jun 2024