Time to Change Your Vehicle’s Cabin Air Filter

Before winter sets in is a good time to check your cabin air filter, after it’s been working hard all spring, summer and fall. Cabin air filters clean the incoming air and remove allergens, and according to the Car Care Council, should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or per the owner’s manual.                                                                               

The cabin air filter helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle’s air conditioning and heating and ventilation systems. The filter also prevents leaves, bugs and other debris from entering the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause musty odors in the vehicle and cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car compared to walking down the street. A restricted cabin air filter can also impair airflow in the HVAC system, possibly causing interior heating and cooling problems, important for staying comfortable this winter. Over time, the heater and air conditioner may also become damaged by corrosion.

Most filters are accessible through an access panel in the HVAC housing, which may be under the hood or in the interior of the car. An automotive service technician can help locate the cabin filter and replace it according to the vehicle’s owner manual. Some filters require basic hand tools to remove and install the replacement filter; others just require your hands. Filters should not be cleaned and reinstalled; instead, they should be replaced.

“Many people don’t even know they have a cabin air filter in their vehicle and most others aren’t aware of the health benefits of changing it,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Checking the cabin air filter is a simple preventive maintenance step that goes a long way toward protecting passengers, as well as the vehicle’s HVAC system.”

 The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org

« Five Tips for Fall Car Care Month

A Resolution You Should Keep: Be Car Care Aware

Why not resolve to be car care aware in the coming year? By spending a little time now on preventive maintenance, drivers can save a lot of headaches in the long run and make for a great year on the road, says the non-profit Car Care Council. 

“Regular auto care shouldn’t be one of those New Year’s resolutions that goes by the wayside,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Preventative vehicle maintenance pays off all year, every year.”

To be car care aware, the council recommends incorporating the following service interval schedule items as part of your New Year’s resolution:

·         Perform monthly checks of tire pressure and the condition of tires, lights and windshield washer fluid. The vehicle should also be cleaned monthly.

·         Every three months or per the owner’s manual, check the engine oil and filter, check the levels of other fluids including automatic transmission, power steering and brake, and check the battery and cables, belts and hoses. The exhaust and fuel filter should also be checked at this interval. 

·         Every six months or 6,000 miles, the chassis lubrication should be checked and windshield wipers should be replaced.

·         Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, the brakes, spark plugs, coolant and steering and suspension should be checked.

The Car Care Council website features an online custom service schedule and email reminder service that is available free of charge and can be personalized by motorists to help make vehicle ownership more enjoyable, economical and convenient. There is also a general service schedulethat vehicle owners may choose to follow. Drivers should also consult their owner’s manual for specific recommendations by the carmaker.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Save Your Nerves For The Holidays With A Simple Vehicle Inspection

A simple vehicle inspection before a family holiday trip, can help avoid the short fuses, inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down many miles away from home, says the Car Care Council                                                                         .                                                                                                                                     

“It’s easy to keep the sparks from flying from car trouble on a road trip,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A quick vehicle check can give motorists peace of mind and save them from the hassle of a roadside breakdown. In just 10 minutes, drivers can make sure their car is ready for travel and then take steps to have any problems fixed before heading out for the trip to Grandma's house for Christmas.”

Right in their own driveway, motorists can identify how road-ready their vehicle is with the 10-minute inspection recommended by the Car Care Council. If repairs or maintenance are needed, they can be performed before hitting the road.

•       Check all fluids, including engine oil, antifreeze/coolant, windshield washer solvent and power steering, brake and transmission fluids.

•       Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.

•       Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

•       Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and inspect and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

The Car Care Council also recommends that motorists restock their emergency kit and consider a brake inspection and tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy. To further save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists observe the speed limit and avoid aggressive driving and excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

9 Steps For a Winter Ready Car In Colorado

9 Steps For a Winter Ready Car

November 19, 2013

The last thing any driver needs is to break down in cold, harsh winter weather. A vehicle check now before winter arrives is a sensible way to be car care aware and avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs, says the Car Care Council. 

“Winterizing your vehicle before the temperatures drop is a wise idea,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of car trouble during severe weather.”

The Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:

• If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

• Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.

• Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years. 

• Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

• Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.

• Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

• Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

• Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication. 

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Holiday Gas Prices Make Driving A Great Choice

The cost of airfares has taken off and the price of gas is steadily declining, making travel by car the way to go this holiday season, says the Car Care Council.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal story, airfares on tickets sold for Thanksgiving week have risen 9.4 percent compared with 2012, and the average price of airline tickets sold for Christmas week is up 7.3 percent over last year. On the other hand, CNN Money reports that gas prices are falling with nearly 20 percent of gas stations nationwide charging less than $3 a gallon.

“With no relief in sight for escalating airfares and gas prices dropping below $3 per gallon in some parts of the country, more and more travelers are realizing the economic and hassle-free benefits of driving to their holiday destination,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Going by car offers a number of advantages over flying and since a family of four can travel 1,000 miles round-trip by car for about the cost of one airline ticket, driving is the sensible option.”

In addition to direct cost savings, travel by car offers a number of practical advantages over flying including:
• Leave when you want, from where you want.
• Pack whatever and as much as you want, including wrapped gifts.
• No airport parking.
• No waiting in long ticket counter and security lines.
• No weather delays.
• More and better meal options.
• No rental car or taxi expenses.
• More legroom and overall comfort.
• Stop and stretch any time.
• No strangers sitting next to you.
• Convenience and ease of taking your pet with you.
• Better able to enjoy the ride.



"Lower Gas Prices Make Driving the Smart Choice" (2013, November) Be Car Care Aware. Retrieved from http://www.carcare.org/2013/11/lower-gas-prices-make-driving-the-smart-choice/
- See more at: http://www.thomsfourwheeldrive.com/index.php/blog/entry/lower-gas-prices-make-driving-the-smart-choice#sthash.RG82YCqh.dpuf