Green Car- Care Tips

In addition to polluting less, a wellmaintained vehicle lasts longer, commands a better resale price and uses less gasoline than a car that's neglected, note the experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Getting started is easy, says ASE. Check out the owner's manual and start following the recommended service schedules. These tips and car maintenance facts can keep your car on the road to longevity and fuel saving:

• Don't delay work until your vehicle starts running roughly or an engineservice light comes on. A single fouled spark plug can reduce gas mileage and add to pollution, while a failed oxygen sensor can reduce mileage by up to 40 percent, government numbers indicate.

• Clogged air, oil and fuel filters will also impede optimal engine operation and can adversely impact your mileage by up to 10 percent.

• Be sure to follow your carmaker's recommendations for grade of oil, which can save 1 or 2 percent on your mileage

• Something as simple as proper tire inflation keeps your engine from working harder than it has to, saving another 3 percent.

Add to these maintenance tips smart driving habits like avoiding hard accelerations and speeding and the savings can add up.

ASE was founded to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia; their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. Visit www.ase.com for more car-care tips.