CAR CARE COUNCIL DESIGNATES OCTOBER AS FALL CAR CARE MONTH

– WINTERIZE YOUR CAR


With more than 400 check lanes conducted around the country, National Car Care Month (NCCM) 2005 in April was the most successful NCCM to date. Statistics from these events, however, continue to underscore the need for consumer education. Building on the success of National Car Care Month in April, and in response to the industry's interest in a seasonal option, the Car Care Council has designated October as Fall Car Care Month to focus motorists' attention on the importance of preparing their vehicles for the upcoming winter months.

Volunteers across the country will be conducting another round of events this October.

The following tables show the percentage of motorists participating in the National Car Care Month inspection campaign whose vehicles failed this part of the inspection.


LUBRICANTS AND FLUIDS

• Engine Oil   30%

• Transmission Fluid   26%

• Brake Fluid   23%

• Power Steering Fluid   21%

• Coolant (Flush)   20%

• Washer Fluid   18%

• Coolant (Low Surge Tank)   16%

• Coolant (Low Radiator)   11%

• Coolant (Leaks)   8%

Low fluid levels can affect the safe driving performance of the vehicle and damage internal parts if not properly maintained. Close to 30 percent of vehicles failed the inspection because of low, overfull or dirty motor oil. More than one-quarter of the vehicles inspected (26 percent) had either low, overfull or burnt transmission fluid. Twenty-three percent had low or contaminated brake fluid. Twenty-one percent had low or dirty power steering fluid and 18 percent failed the washer fluid inspection.

The cooling system protects against damage by keeping the engine operating within the correct temperature range. More than one-tenth of the vehicles inspected (11 percent) had low levels of coolant in the radiator and 16 percent had low coolant levels in their surge tank. One-fifth of the vehicles inspected needed a coolant flush, which is needed to protect the system from rust, dirt and mineral deposits. An additional 8 percent of vehicles had coolant leaks.


WINDSHIELD WIPERS

• Windshield Wipers 17%

• Rear Wiper or Washer 12%

Close to one-fifth of vehicles (17 percent) had front windshield wiper failures and 12 percent of vehicles needed service on their rear wipers and/or washers.


PARTS

• Air Filter 24%

• Belts 19%

• Hoses 17%

• PCV Filter 13%


BATTERY

• Cables, Clamps or Terminals 13%

• Carrier/Hold Down 7%

Roadside breakdowns can be avoided by motorists periodically checking their belts and hoses and replacing them when worn. At least one belt was reported as unsatisfactory in nearly one-fifth of the vehicles inspected (19 percent) and 17 percent of the vehicles required at least one new hose.

The air filter keeps abrasive dust, dirt, bugs and other foreign matter out of the fuel system air intake. A dirty filter can decrease gas mileage and increase emissions. Approximately one-quarter of the vehicles checked (24 percent) needed new air filters. In addition, 13 percent of vehicles were in need of new PCV filters.

Battery cables, clamps and terminals were found to need maintenance in 13 percent of the vehicles and 7 percent of the batteries were not properly held down.


TIRES

• Tire Pressure 21%

• Tire Depth 16%

• Tire Condition (Damage) 11%

Low tire pressure decreases gas mileage and tire life. Vehicles traveling with worn tread are at greater risk of losing traction on wet or snowy roads. Twenty-one percent of the vehicles were found to have improperly inflated tires and 16 percent had worn tread and were in need of replacement. An additional 11 percent of vehicles had damaged tires and were in poor condition.


LIGHTS/VISION

• Brake Lights 13%

• License Plate Lights 9%

• "Check Engine" Light 6%

• Backup Lights 5%

• Side Lights 5%

• Turn Signals 5%

• Parking Lights 3%

• Headlights 3%

• Tail Lights 2%

  • Vehicle lighting provides a means of communicating among drivers and is vital to any properly functioning vehicle.

  • Thirteen percent of vehicles inspected needed work on their left, right or third brake light.

  • Nine percent of vehicles needed work on at least one of their license plate lights.

  • Six percent of vehicles had their "Check Engine" light on. Five percent of vehicles failed due to backup light failure and five percent failed their side light inspection.

  • An additional five percent of vehicles needed work on at least one of their turn signals and three percent of vehicles failed the inspection for their parking lights.

  • Three percent of inspected vehicles failed for their headlights while two percent failed because of their tail lights.

 

© 2015 TLC Magazine Online, Inc.