Drive Your Way to Better Fuel Economy this Summer with Pep Boys
June 29 2007 - 6:32PM
PR Newswire (US)
PHILADELPHIA, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With a busy summer
travel season ahead, The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack
(NYSE:PBY), the nation's leading automotive aftermarket retail and
service chain, offers families information on how to prepare for
safe summer travel and how to improve fuel efficiency when prices
at the pump are high. "Pep Boys recommends that motorists seek
preventive maintenance inspections and services to make sure their
vehicle's mechanical, electrical and brake systems are able to
perform optimally in hot summer driving conditions," said Joe
Cirelli, senior vice president of service at Pep Boys. "In addition
to preventive maintenance services, there are several simple things
that motorists can do to improve fuel efficiency, including
ensuring that their tires are properly inflated and that their air
filters are clean." An estimated 32 million motorists hit the road
during Memorial Day weekend alone, and heavy Independence Day
travel is also expected. However, an ill- prepared vehicle, or one
that is not fuel efficient, could stall road trip plans. Here are
five easy steps to maximize gas mileage this summer: Step 1: Check
Your Tire Pressure Under- or over-inflation of tires can lead to
decreased fuel mileage, as well as shorten the life of the tires.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that properly
inflated tires can improve gas mileage up to 3.3 percent, saving up
to 10 cents a gallon. Consumers should consult their owner's
manuals for the recommended tire pressure and check their tires
monthly with a good quality tire pressure gauge. Also check the
tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts or bruises along the
sidewalls. It only takes five minutes. Step 2: Change Your Air
Filter 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 -- usually every 12,000 miles. The DOE
reports that replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage
by as much as 10 percent, saving up to 32 cents a gallon. Step 3:
Change Your Oil For maximum engine life, change your oil and filter
every three months or 3,000 miles or as directed in your owner's
manual. Use the correct oil viscosity because high viscosity oils
have greater resistance to an engine's moving parts, which uses
more gas. According to the Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP), motorists can increase fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent,
saving 2 cents a gallon, by using the proper grade of motor oil.
Step 4: Clean Your Fuel System 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. A
properly operating ignition and emissions system can improve gas
mileage by up to 40 percent, saving 80 cents a gallon, according to
the DEP. Step 5: Get a Tune Up A properly tuned engine can increase
fuel efficiency from 4 percent to 20 percent, saving 26 cents a
gallon, notes the DEP. As part of a modern day tune-up, the
following systems should be inspected to improve performance and
maintain the reliability of a vehicle: * battery, charging and
starting * engine mechanical * powertrain control * fuel * ignition
* emissions Fuel Factoid: According to the Car Care Council, a
vehicle's spark plugs fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000
miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical
erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel.
Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly. 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. DATASOURCE: Pep Boys
CONTACT: Alex Spooner of Pep Boys, +1-215-430-9588 Web site:
http://www.pepboys.com/
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