Advance Auto Parts (ticker: AAP, exchange: New York Stock Exchange (.N))
News Release -
30-Jun-2009
Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Vacation and Cost Saving TipsSimple tips for your summer travel
ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 30, 2009--
Good driving habits and basic vehicle maintenance can help keep you
safe and on the road all summer long. In the summer months, gas
prices often rise with the temperature. The heat can be extremely
hard on your vehicle and your wallet.
“A driver’s goal should be to reach their destination safely and
securely,” says Bryan Gregory, director of consumer education for
Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP). “With the summer season, come the
extremes of heat combined with stop and go traffic and longer trips. Just
as you would apply sunscreen at the beach, you should also make sure
your vehicle is prepared for the conditions that you will be traveling
in.”
Gregory recommends taking a few minutes to check your vehicle from
bumper to bumper, beginning with a quick peek under the hood. You
can start by checking your headlights, be sure high and low beams are
working properly and aimed correctly; air conditioning, check the drive
belt and add refrigerant if necessary; change oil if it’s been at
least 3,000 miles since last change, change oil filter, and check
coolant (antifreeze) level. Next, check your belts for severe
wear, fraying, or shiny burnished spots, replace if necessary. Check
hoses for swelling and cracking. Check hose clamps for snug, and
check the battery to make sure it is clamped down firmly and clean
terminals. If you need help, you can stop at any Advance Auto
Parts store to receive a free battery and charging system check up. Finally,
inspect your tires by placing a penny head first into the tread; the
tread should cover the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head. Check
outside tread, middle tread, and inside tread depth. Replace worn
tires, they have direct impact on your stopping and turning ability.
In order to be prepared for an unexpected break down, every vehicle
should contain an emergency kit. “This kit should include items
such as bottled water, non-perishable snacks, basic hand tools, a
flashlight and flares,” says Gregory, “and if you have children, a
source of entertainment that does not require power from the vehicle is
a plus.”
Other quick preparations for any trip include wiping down all mirrors
and making sure all windows are clean. You should also make sure
to secure all luggage, as it could become airborne and cause severe
injuries in severe braking. And don’t forget to check all your
wiper blades in case of a sudden rain shower, many people forget about
the rear wiper on min-vans and SUV’s.
Here are some fuel saving tips from Advance Auto Parts so you can
spend less time at the pump and more time on the road:
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1)
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Change your air filter regularly: Your engine needs to breathe
to create maximum power and efficiency. You should replace your
air filter every 7,500 miles unless otherwise specified by the
manufacturer.
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2)
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Proper tire pressure is the next largest influence on fuel
mileage. Check the drivers’ side door post to see exactly what the
tire pressure should be, then check all four tires weekly for best
results. Tires that are under inflated create dramatically more
rolling resistance.
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3)
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Use synthetic oil. Synthetic oil reduces internal engine
friction, lubricate better, and reduce engine operating
temperatures, all creating a more efficient power process and
helping with fuel mileage
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4)
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“You definitely want to avoid idling when possible because you
get zero miles to the gallon when sitting still,” Gregory said.
“Also, be sensible about how long you warm up the car. For most
cars and trucks, 30 to 45 seconds of warm-up time is sufficient.”
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5)
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Reducing a vehicle’s load by eliminating excess cargo, such as
extra tires, equipment, bike or ski racks, saves gas also because
for every 200 pounds of extra weight in a vehicle, fuel mileage is
reduced by one mile per gallon.
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6)
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Keep fuel injectors clean by using an injector cleaner once or
twice a year. When the fuel injector nozzle gets debris and
buildup on it, it doesn’t spray the fuel charge as it was designed
to. A simple injector cleaner added to the fuel tank a few times
each year can help keep the injectors clean and efficient.
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7)
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Be sure your vehicle is in alignment. If it pulls to the right
or to the left, it likely needs an alignment, or possibly some
suspension work. When all four wheels are traveling down the road
out of alignment, rolling resistance is created, not to mention
rapid tire wear. Once the vehicle tracking is straight, it will
help protect your investment, enhance safety, and improve fuel
mileage.
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Advance Auto Parts and its well-trained, knowledgeable Team Members
can help customers with all of the parts and products needed to perform
gas-saving do-it-yourself projects. ASE-certified experts and the
Company’s consumer education program, featuring a “How To Save Gas”
video clinic, and many more, can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.
Click on the “Know-How” section of the website to view any of the free
video clinics that will help you maintain your vehicle and save money
doing so.
About Advance Auto Parts
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading
automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and
maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself
and professional installer markets As of April 25, 2009, the
Company operated 3,405 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands.
Advance Auto Parts supports a variety of non-profit organizations at
the corporate and local levels and encourages its Team Members to become
actively involved in various community-based charitable organizations.
Nationally, Advance Auto Parts is a strong supporter of United Way and
the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Since 1994, Advance
Auto Parts has raised more than $16 million for JDRF and is one of that
organization’s largest corporate supporters.
Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities,
customer services, and on line inventory look-up for parts and
accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.
Source: Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts
Shelly Whitaker, APR
Direct
540-561-8452
Fax 540-561-6445
Shelly.whitaker@advanceautoparts.com
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Advance Auto Parts
