Archive for November 2009
Can You Make Your Engine Last 300,000 Miles?
12. November 2009 by admin.
Ladies, here at AskPatty, we’re always sharing tips about car care and maintenance to help you get more out of the life of your vehicle. Performing your regular scheduled maintenance and oil changes is the BEST WAY to ensure your vehicle lives a long and healthy lifetime.
With the economy in poor shape and studies showing that Americans are keeping their cars on the road longer than ever before (9.4 years), we know there has never been a better time for women to do what they can to protect their vehicles, providing peace of mind for them and their families.
Well, Valvoline has rolled out a new program meant to help ensure your engine lasts as long as 300,000 miles with regular Valvoline oil changes, and guarantees the program with up to $5,000 in repair expenses if it doesn’t.
Drivers can choose from three levels of the Valvoline Engine Guarantee based on personal driving needs and vehicle requirements by choosing a distance based on the following oil selections:
–MaxLife Full Synthetic or Synpower Full Synthetic - 300,000-mile limited guarantee
–MaxLife or DuraBlend (synthetic blends) - 225,000-mile limited guarantee
–Valvoline Premium Conventional - 150,000-mile limited guarantee
Sam Mitchell, president, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline), explains the special offer. “It’s clear that in this economy, many people are focused on saving money and making their vehicles last longer. We’re confident that Valvoline motor oil has what it takes to make that happen, and we’re backing that confidence with a guarantee not only in our oil, but also in the life of our customers’ engines when they use our oil as recommended,” Mitchell says.
Better yet, it’s not just new cars and trucks that qualify: Most vehicles with fewer than 75,000 miles are eligible to be registered in the free Valvoline Engine Guarantee program. Valvoline Instant Oil Change Centers make it so easy, you don’t even have to get out of your car, making it easy for busy Moms to load up the family, get the oil changed, and begin enrollment in the free Engine Guarantee all at once! (As a mom who knows what a hassle it can be loading kids in and out of the car when running errands, I can appreciate this!) Also, if you check out the Valvoline Instant Oil Change website before you go, you can download money-saving coupons and sign up for car care tips and special promotions as well.
Simply visit EngineGuarantee.com to learn full details about Valvoline’s 300,000-mile Engine Guarantee and program limitations, and to locate the nearest Valvoline Instant Oil Change centers
Mario Andretti Schools Chevron Employees for Global Road Safety Week
12. November 2009 by admin.
Road crashes are among the leading cause of death globally and are recognized as the Number One cause of death in the industry. The devastation the loss of life and serious injury wreaks on the families, friends, communities, and victims themselves is incalculable. Yet, many road traffic crashes are preventable.
As part of Global Road Safety Week - being held November 9-14, 2009 — Chevron is working with its employees to heighten awareness across the company of how choices as drivers, and as pedestrians, can affect the health and safety not only of ourselves, but also of others in the community. As part of this weeklong effort, Mario Andretti — one of the all-time kings of the Indy Car racing circuit–visited the company’s San Ramon headquarters today to speak with Chevron employees about how the choices of both drivers and pedestrians impact everyone’s safety. A huh-yuge advocate of driving safety, Mario also lends his hand to Bridgestone’s teen safety program with a downloadable safety booklet meant to educate young drivers. In addition to its special event held today, Chevron is communicating all week long with all its national employees with daily messages to highlight each day’s specific theme, which include Driver Fatigue, Journey Planning, Speeding, and Defensive Driving.
The planned events for Chevron’s Global Road Safety Week lead up to the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, on November 15th which commemorates all those killed and injured in road crashes, along with their families, the emergency service providers, and all others affected or involved in the aftermath of automotive accidents.
Chevron also wants to spread the road safety message beyond its own employees, saying “Everyone can each change their behavior to drive safely. We can practice defensive driving; we can exercise the willpower to stay focused on the task of driving; we can ensure we are visible to traffic if we have need to cross or step into a road; we can ensure that we are alert enough to drive, and we can choose to drive at speeds within the law and acceptable for road conditions.”
Additionally, because more than 40% of all road traffic deaths occur among people younger than 25 years old, Global Road Awareness Week also focuses on educating such “young road users” as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, novice drivers, and their passengers.
As part of its global efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) has created the “Road Marks” series of posters to raise awareness of ways to be safer on the road. The posters graphically illustrate their call to action and invite young people to be part of the solution: wear a helmet, never drink and drive, don’t speed, wear a seatbelt, and be seen on the road. (Note: The five-poster series is available to all who organize events around the world to celebrate Road Safety Week and are available in a variety of languages.)
<-Too late to fasten your seat-belt: Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of being ejected from a vehicle and suffering serious or fatal injury by between 40%-65%. Be part of the solution: wear a seat belt.
->Too late to stop drinking: Consuming alcohol before driving increases the risk of a crash as well as the likelihood that death or serious injury will result. Passing a drink-driving law and enforcing it can reduce the number of road deaths by 20%.
Be part of the solution: never drink and drive.
<-Too late to be seen: Pedestrians and cyclists can be difficult to see on the roads, which increases their risk of road traffic injuries. Wearing lightly colored or reflective clothing makes them much more visible and can help avoid collisions. Be part of the solution: be seen on the road.
->Too late to put on your helmet: Most motorcycle deaths are a result of head injuries. Wearing a motorcycle helmet correctly can cut the risk of death by almost 40%, and the risk of severe injury by 70%. Be part of the solution: wear a helmet.
<-Too late to slow down: Speed kills all types of road users - drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. A 5% cut in average speed can reduce the number of fatal crashes by as much as 30%. Be part of the solution: don’t speed.
Be especially aware of road safety this week, and say a special prayer of remembrance on Sunday, November 15, for those people touched by the tragedy of an automotive accident.
Green Tips for Your Vehicle
12. November 2009 by admin.
Alternate-fueled and hybrid vehicles are gaining market share but still account for a relatively small percentage of vehicles on the road. Someday all of us may be driving pollution-free, hydrogen-powered cars. But what’s a concerned consumer to do in the meantime?
Motorists who want to go ‘green’ don’t have to wait to help the environment. By changing a few habits, motorists can begin helping the environment right away, say the experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
ASE recommends regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits as two easy-to-implement strategies. What’s more, better automotive habits will help your vehicle last longer and command a better resale price as well.
The following tips from ASE can put you on the road to environmentally conscious car care:
- –Keep the engine running at peak performance—a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in the manual.
- –Today’s vehicles have much cleaner tailpipe emissions that they did thirty years ago. But a poorly running engine or faulty exhaust system will cause your vehicle to pollute much more than it would otherwise. Don’t ignore that ‘Service Engine’ light.
–Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to reduce the engine’s effort and, thus, gasoline consumption. What’s more, your tires will last longer too, saving you money and easing the burden at recycling centers. - –Have your vehicle’s air conditioner serviced only by a technician certified to handle and recycle refrigerants. Older air conditioners contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which could be released into the atmosphere through improper service.
- –Avoid speeding and sudden accelerations; both habits guzzle gas. When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving.
- –Walk more. (Talk about helping yourself and the environment simultaneously!)
- –Remove excess items from the vehicle, since less weight means better mileage. Remove that roof-top luggage carrier after vacations to reduce air drag.
If you do your own repairs, properly dispose of engine fluids and batteries. Some repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local government. Remember, too, that improperly disposed fluids such as anti-freeze can harm pets and wildlife.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. Almost 400,000 technicians and parts specialists hold current ASE certifications. They work at all types of facilities, from new car dealerships, to national chains, independent repair shops, fleets, and more. There employers often display the blue and white ASE sign, while the technicians wear shoulder insignia or lapel pins identifying himself or herself as ASE certified. For more information, including seasonal car care tips, visit www.ase.com.