To Combat Record Gas Prices, Pep Boys Offers Consumers Simple Vehicle Maintenance Tips for Saving at the Pump
May 20 2008 - 4:30PM
Business Wire
As motorists across the nation face more and more pain at the pump
and 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 improve fuel efficiency and prepare for safe summer
travel. �Pep Boys recommends that motorists seek preventive
maintenance inspections and services to make sure their vehicle�s
mechanical, electrical, brake systems and fuel systems are able to
perform optimally in hot summer driving conditions,� said Assistant
Vice President of Service Greg Russ. �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 37.87 million Americans will travel 50
miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend. 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
(all estimates are based on a fuel price of $3.72 per gallon): 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 and Environmental
Protection Agency (DOE/EPA) jointly report that properly inflated
tires can improve gas mileage up to 3 percent, saving up to 11
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/EPA
report that replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage
by as much as 10 percent, saving up to 37 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 DOE/EPA, motorists can increase fuel
efficiency by 1-2 percent, saving 4-7 cents a gallon, by using the
proper grade of motor oil. Step 4: Clean Your Fuel System There are
a number of good reasons to maintain the fuel system of your
engine. Your fuel system may need cleaning if you experience
stalling, rough idling hesitation or hard starts. Removing the
build-up of dirt and particles will not only help restore and
improve your vehicle's performance and reduce emissions, it will
also help improve your gas mileage-an important factor considering
today�s gas prices. Step 5: Get a Tune Up A properly tuned engine
can increase fuel efficiency by an average of 4 percent, saving 15
cents a gallon, notes the DOE. Have your spark plugs, ignition
wires, fuel filter and oxygen sensors inspected by a reputable
automotive service provider like Pep Boys before hitting the road
this summer. 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 over 560 stores and approximately 6,000 service bays in 35
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.
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