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Tips
We care about the
environment, your vehicle and your safety. Please read through the
following information so you can be ready to take on, prepare for, and avoid
the unexpected. You can learn to “keep up” with the environment and
help preserve it. These tips are sure to benefit you.
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What to Do in Case of an
Accident
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Most drivers make
costly, long-term decision errors immediately following an accident as fear
gives way to anger and frustration. Questions race through your head faster
than the mind can register them. Who was at fault? Will my car ever be
right again? What are my rights and responsibilities? A calm and informed
reaction to an accident will reduce your chances for additional grief and
expense.
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• Move your vehicle to a
safe place, then stop and identify yourself to the other driver. (Some
state or local statutes may require the vehicle be left as is.) If it can’t
be moved, turn on the hazard lights. Seek medical help if you or other
parties require it, and notify the police. Tell them who you are, where you
are, and about any obvious or claimed injuries.
• Exchange information
with the other driver(s) including driver’s license numbers. Get the
driver’s name, address, telephone numbers and name of insurance company.
Also, list any passengers and witnesses.
• Get names and badge
numbers of any police officers who arrive at the scene. If there are
injuries or extensive damage, the police should file a report. Ask to get a
copy.
• Avoid any extensive
discussions at the scene about who is responsible for damage. If the other
person admits responsibility, offers a money settlement and you accept, any
future claim against the driver may be compromised. You or the other party
may later find damage and bodily injury not apparent at first.
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• Write a complete
description of the accident as soon as possible. Include weather
conditions, estimated speeds, and as much precise information as you can
observe. Take photographs if a camera is available.
• Have the vehicle
towed or driven to a collision repair facility of your choice.
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• Notify your insurance
company of the accident as soon as possible.
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Important Items to Carry in
Your Vehicle
In case of road-side emergencies, accidents or
bad weather, always have in your vehicle the following items:
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• Jumper cables
• Pliers, an adjustable
wrench and a screwdriver
• A first-aid kit
• Blankets
• A supply of any
regularly needed or taken medications
• Candles and matches
• Sand or kitty litter
for climates with snow or ice
• Clean water
• Canned fruit or nuts
and a can opener
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Source: Automotive
Service Association (ASA)
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Car Care Tips
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According to recent studies,
5 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities are clearly caused by automobile
maintenance neglect. The following simple and inexpensive preventive checks
will greatly extend the life of the vehicle, ensure safer operation and
even benefit the environment.
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• Always consult your
owner’s manual, but a good rule of thumb is to have the oil filter changed
regularly, every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
• Have all fluids
checked, including brake, power steering, transmission/transaxle, windshield
washer solvent and antifreeze. These fluids play a large role in the safety
and performance of the vehicle.
• Check tire inflation.
Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of fuel efficiency. This is the
least expensive form of preventive and safety maintenance. Tires should be
checked once a month.
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• Keep your engine tuned.
A fouled spark plug or plugged/restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel
efficiency as much as 30 percent.
• Have the chassis
lubricated frequently. This step extends the life of the moving components
of the vehicle's suspension system.
• Check battery cables
and posts for corrosion and clean them as needed. The battery fluid should
also be checked and filled if it is low, except in the case of
maintenance-free batteries.
• Have the lighting
system checked frequently, including headlights, turn signals, and brake
and tail lights.
• Check windshield washer
blades for cracks, tears and windshield contact. Replace them approximately
once a year or sooner if streaking begins.
• Inspect engine belts
regularly. Worn belts will affect the engine performance. Look for cracks
and missing sections or segments.
• Have the air filtration
system checked frequently. The air filter should be checked approximately
every other oil change for clogging or damage. This system ensures that the
vehicle is performing at its peak condition.
• Always consult the
vehicle owner's manual for individual service schedules as manufacturer
maintenance requirements vary greatly.
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Keeping Your Vehicle in Tune
with the Environment
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Car care is definitely
a win-win situation. Besides helping the environment, a properly maintained
and operated vehicle will run more efficiently, will be safer, and will
last longer - up to 50 percent longer, according to a survey of
ASE-certified Master Auto Technicians. The following tips should put you on
the road to environmentally conscious car care.
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* Keep
your engine tuned up. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency
as much as 30 percent. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's
manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended.
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Check your tires for proper inflation. Under inflation wastes
fuel - your engine has to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out-of-line
(as evidenced by uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work
harder, too. Properly maintained tires will last longer, meaning fewer
scrap tires have to be disposed.
* Keep your air conditioner in top
condition and have it serviced only by a technician certified competent to
handle/recycle refrigerants.
* Do-it-yourselfers: dispose of used
motor oil, anti-freeze/coolant, tires, and old batteries properly. Many
repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local municipal or country
government for recycling sites.
* Observe speed limit. Mileage decreases
sharply above 55 mph.
* Drive gently. Avoid sudden
accelerations and jerky stop-and-goes. Use cruise control on open highways
to keep your speed as steady as possible.
* Avoid excessive idling. Shut off
engine while waiting for friends and family. Today's vehicles are designed
to "warm up" fast, so forget about those long warm-ups on cold
winter mornings.
* Remove excessive items from the vehicle.
Less weight means better mileage. Store luggage/cargo in the trunk rather
than on the roof to reduce air drag.
Remember, how your car runs, how you drive
it, and how its fluids, old parts and tires are disposed of all have
serious consequences on the environment.
Source: Automotive
Service Association (ASA)
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