New Family Road Trip Guide Focuses on Easy Tips for Saving Gas, Protecting Environment and Ensuring Safety

April 30, 2009, Ottawa, Ontario - May is Car Care Month and Car Care Canada is preparing families to get back to their roots, including the good old-fashioned road trip. The newly-minted Be Car Care Aware Family Road Trip Guide is available online at no charge and helps Canadians prepare their vehicles for Spring and Summer driving and includes tips for saving gas, protecting the environment and ensuring safety, as well as in-car games for kids and meal planning. It also includes the "10-minute Road Trip Check-Up."

With the economy in recession, road trips are an economic way to enjoy the outdoors and visit friends and relatives. The key to peace of mind is preparation. Deep down, most people know their car should be checked out before hitting the road for the holidays but studies have shown that a majority of people put it off thinking it will take too much time, money and effort. The truth is it takes very little time to determine if the family vehicle is ready for long-distance travel.

To illustrate that point, the Family Road Trip Guide starts with the "10-minute Road Trip Check-Up" designed to help Canadians ensure safety and reliability before loading the family into the family's vehicle.

Car Care Canada encourages Canadians to view the 10-minute investment as a down payment on safety and convenience. It's really a small sacrifice compared to the inconvenience, cost and potential hazards of breaking down many kilometres away from home.

10-minute Road Trip Check-Up

1. Check all fluids: There are several fluids that require attention, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids and windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

2. Check hoses and belts: A belt that fails can affect the electrical system, air conditioning and power steering, as well as the cooling system. Cooling system hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and clamps in marginal condition might need to be replaced.

3. Check the tires: Check tire inflation and also inspect the tread for uneven wear, (indicating the need for wheel alignment). Also look for bulges and bald spots.

4. Check lighting: Check all exterior and interior lighting to identify any problems. Car Care Canada vehicle check-up lanes revealed an overall failure rate of more than 25 percent in the lighting category. When your vehicle's lighting is defective, other motorists may not get the message that you intend to stop or turn. The end result could be disastrous.

5. Check the wiper blades and make sure the windshield wipers are working properly: Keep the reservoir filled with solvent. Worn-out wipers should be checked and replaced if needed prior to a road trip. As a rule of thumb, wipers should be replaced every six months.

Check out the "Go Green! Vehicle Maintenance Tips to Help Save You Money" brochure on the Car Care Canada website that includes potential gas and money savings based on a series of maintenance tasks.

Car Care Canada has also developed a series of articles to educate your readers on how to take better care of their cars and prepare for the hot summer months ahead. You can use these articles individually or package them into a special supplement.

Download the following car maintenance articles from the Community Content website (www.communitycontent.ca/carcare/):

1. Every Little Bit Helps -- Fuel Efficient Driving During the Summer Months
2. May is Car Care Month -- Is Your Car Ready for a May 24 Road Trip?
3. The Finishing Touch
4. Why do so many potholes occur in the spring?
5. Women and Cars

About Be Car Care Aware and Car Care Canada
Be Car Care Aware is a campaign to inform Canadian drivers about the benefits of regular, vehicle care, maintenance and repair. The campaign's purpose is to empower drivers to make sensible decisions about their vehicles and avoid costly repairs due to neglect. Be Car Care Aware is spearheaded by Car Care Canada and built around three key themes: safety, environmental protection and maximizing value for money spent on vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Car Care Canada is a non-profit advocacy group that offers research, consumer education and information about the Canadian automotive aftermarket industry. For more than 15 years, Car Care Canada has been working to advance the motoring public's understanding of the vital importance of regular vehicle maintenance and how, by taking a preventative approach to vehicle care and driving habits, motorists can lower their maintenance costs and improve safety.

-30-

For further information contact:
Patty Kettles
Car Care Canada
Tel: 1-800-808-2920 ext 221
Cell: 613-282-5821
Email: patty.kettles@carcarecanada.com