Published by the Car Care Council, the guide is a popular consumer give-away at repair shops and retail stores.

The fuel economy section covers the parts of the car that need proper maintenance in order to maximize efficiency and save money at the pump.  It recommends typical service intervals and includes questions to ask the automotive repair technician.

The section on environmental awareness tells how motorists can do their part to protect the environment in terms of driving habits and vehicle maintenance.  This section has tips on driving green and lists the components of a vehicle that should be routinely checked to make sure a car's performance is as environmentally friendly as possible.

 
"The new sections are designed to help people better understand that the amount of gas they use is directly related to how they maintain and drive their vehicle," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. 

The Car Care Guide uses easy-to-understand language instead of technical automotive jargon and fits easily in a glove box.  The guide covers the most common preventative maintenance occasions and procedures that need to be performed to keep cars safe, dependable, and efficient. 

It also includes descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts, and a list of questions to ask when maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car. 

 
Also included is a car care checklist that reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.