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(NAPSI)-Keeping your car well maintained helps ensure that it stays out of the shop and on the road for years to come. It also helps keep you safe in the process. Here are some nuts and bolts car care tips from the experts at Henkel to help steer you in the right direction:
• Keep accurate maintenance records. They are good diagnostic tools, proof that you have cared for your vehicle and can enhance its resale value.
• Keep the engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune can boost gas consumption by about 4 percent. Also watch for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.
• Run your engine for a few minutes before powering up the heater, air conditioner, windshield wipers and other accessories. Accelerating with a cold engine can cause premature engine failure.
• Check for engine leaks. A leaky gasket can cause pressure to escape and reduce the car's ability to accelerate. Need to replace a gasket? Loctite® Ready Gasket can make a high performance leak proof gasket in about a minute.
• Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car's tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged caps cause up to 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year.
• Change the oil on a regular basis to help keep the engine clean. Keeping the inside of your car clean is important as well. Lost that new car smell? Renuzit® Super Odor Neutralizer eliminates tough car odors in the air and fabric to keep your car fresh.
• Look for cracking or loose engine belts. Broken belts are a major reason for roadside breakdowns.
• If your vehicle has fuel injection, keep the gas tank at least one-quarter full. Cornering with a nearly empty tank disrupts the flow to the fuel pump.
• A torn seat doesn't mean your car's ready for a trade-in. Repair it with Duck® brand duct tape, which is available in 18 different colors to match your car's interior and make repairs less noticeable.
Finally, remember to rotate your tires. Most motorists don't do this as frequently as they should and it's a costly mistake. Proper rotation can add as much as 10,000 miles to the life of a set of tires.
To learn more about these Henkel products for auto, home and industry, visit Henkel's Web site at www.henkel.us.
• Robert Yates, Henkel Motorsports Partner, is a NASCAR team owner and legendary engine builder.
Keep the engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune can boost gas consumption by about 4 percent.