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First Up: July 2008
GREEN CHECKUP
NADA's green tool kit
Keeping vehicles tuned to maximum fuel efficiency is one way drivers can help limit costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Dealers can take the lead by offering free green checkups to assess vehicles’ fuel economy. NADA’s new “Green Campaign Strategies” tool kit will help you organize these checkups, plus launch other green events. Copies will go to all members in August’s AutoExec; it can also be downloaded at nada.org/green.
 The kit includes:
• A CO2 fact sheet that explains the various sources of carbon dioxide emissions.
• Talking points that cover why a national fuel economy policy is better than the state-by-state approach sought by California and other states.
• Tips on how to showcase your green vehicles.
• Case studies of dealers who have held green events.
• How to get media coverage for your event.
• Ways to host other green driving events, such as a vehicle expo or summit.
• Tips on planning and publicizing a green checkup.
GREEN CHECKUP
The “Green Checkup” brochure is part of NADA’s green tool kit. Dealers can download the brochure or order copies to hand out to customers at
nada.org/green.
Top 10 Green Maintenance Tips
You can save money and energy—and wear and tear on your vehicle—with proper care and maintenance. Here are the items that most affect fuel economy.
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MOTOR OIL. Top off and change oil as necessary with manufacturer-recommended grade, “energy-conserving” motor oils. Doing so can improve fuel economy by up to 2 percent, according to EPA. Replacing conventional oils with synthetics may offer even greater fuel economy benefits. |
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AIR FILTERS. Make sure you change your air filter at the end of its recommended life span. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a vehicle’s gas mileage by up to 10 percent, says the Energy Department. |
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ENGINE PERFORMANCE. Enhance fuel
economy performance by having engines tuned and spark plugs replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. A single misfiring spark plug can cut fuel economy by up to 4 percent, says EPA. |
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BRAKES. Improperly maintained brakes can result in unwanted drag. This unnecessary resistance can have the same effect as driving with a foot on the brake pedal: a dramatic drop in fuel economy. |
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 WARNING LIGHTS FOR “SERVICE ENGINE SOON” OR “CHECK ENGINE.” Ignoring these indicators may result in poor fuel economy performance and require expensive repairs. For example, a warning light may indicate that a faulty oxygen sensor is sending more fuel to the engine than necessary, which can result in a 40 percent fuel economy decline. A warning light could also indicate a faulty thermostat, which can prevent a cold engine from reaching its normal operating temperature, resulting in the unnecessary injection of fuel.
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TIRE WEAR. Replacing worn tires with a manufacturer-recommended size and style can save hundreds of dollars a year. To improve fuel economy performance, consider low rolling-resistance replacement tires. |
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TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE. Keeping tires inflated to at least the manufacturer-recommended pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent, says EPA. Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll, meaning more fill-ups. |
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UNNECESSARY ITEMS THAT ADD WEIGHT TO THE VEHICLE. Unnecessary weight lowers fuel economy; remove heavy items from your trunk and backseat. |
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EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROLS. Poorly operating evaporative emission controls can fail to capture gasoline vapors and recycle them to the fuel tank. Faulty controls waste gas and degrade air quality. |
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TRANSMISSION. Properly operating
modern transmissions and drive components are critical to vehicle fuel economy performance. Routinely check for proper fluid levels and system operation. |
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