With many parts of the nation already experiencing the summer heat, it's a good idea to care and protect the leather in your vechicle. Creative Colors International, one of the largest franchises in the repair, reconditioning and color restoration of leather, vinyl, fabric, plastics and carpeting, offers the following useful information for extending and enhancing the life of your vehicle's leather.

To retain its beauty and other desirable qualities, leather requires frequent conditioning to replace the natural lubricants lost during normal use. With the proper care, leather can be protected from excessive dryness that can cause it to crack, and from moisture that may cause it to swell or mildew.

Because unprotected leather is susceptible to spotting from water and other liquids, a newly purchased leather item should be treated immediately to help prevent permanent stains from occurring. Be sure to use only the proper protection for your particular type of leather.

1. The use of too much oil or wax can clog pores, causing leather to lose its ability to allow air in and moisture out. For the best protection, we recommend a mild dishwashing soap. Ivory liquid dishwashing soap is an excellent way to keep your leather clean and looking new. One part Ivory to 10 parts water.
2. Dairy products that spill on darker dyed leather will leave a spot. After cleaning, the oils in the dairy products will eventually rise back up to the surface. Try and be careful with any dairy product next to your leather.
3. Lighter colored leather needs to be cleaned often. Dirt, dust and clothing will leave traces on leather. Especially, black and dark-blue dyed jeans.
4. Never use preparations made for smooth leather on suede or "rough out" leather. Use only cleaners or preparations made specifically for suede.

Car care is definitely a win-win situation. Besides helping the environment, a properly maintained and operated vehicle will run more efficiently, will be safer, and will last longer - up to 50 percent longer, according to a survey of ASE-certified Master Auto Technicians. The following tips should put you on the road to environmentally conscious car care.

• Keep your engine tuned up. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended.
• Check your tires for proper inflation. Underinflation wastes fuel - your engine has to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out-of-line (as evidenced by uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder, too. Properly maintained tires will last longer, meaning fewer scrap tires have to be disposed.
• Keep your air conditioner in top condition and have it serviced only by a technician certified competent to handle/recycle refrigerants.
• Do-it-yourselfers: dispose of used motor oil, anti-freeze/coolant, tires, and old batteries properly. Many repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local municipal or country government for recycling sites.
• Observe speed limit. Mileage decreases sharply above 55 mph.
• Drive gently. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-and-gos. Use cruise control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.
• Avoid excessive idling. Shut off engine while waiting for friends and family. Today's vehicles are designed to "warm up" fast, so forget about those long warm-ups on cold winter mornings.
• Remove excessive items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Store luggage/cargo in the trunk rather than on the roof to reduce air drag.

Remember, how your car runs, how you drive it, and how its fluids, old parts and tires are disposed of all have serious consequences on the environment.

Few people welcome that first bead of sweat that runs down your back while driving home from work during summertime. Likewise, your car's engine likes to keep cool as well. Snap-on Tools Company offers these tips for keeping both yourself and your vehicle cool during the hottest summer months.

Yourself (A/C System)

• Locate your A/C compressor (see manual) and trace the entire path of the two hoses leading out if it. Look for two things:
  Any cracks of decay in the hoses or tubes.
• Oily substances near the joints where hoses meet parts. Even the smallest leak at a joint can shut down your entire A/C system.
  If the inside of your vehicle is not as cool as it has been in the past, it may mean a switch in the system has shut down the A/C -- a safety precaution engaged when your refrigerant level is too low. If this happens, have your local service technician test it. (To locate an ASA shop, use the Find Nearest ASA Shop database on the ASA Web site.)
• When you're not getting much air flow out of your vents with the A/C on, it does not necessarily mean you have a problem with the A/C. It may be the result of a blown fuse, which is an indicator of a problem elsewhere in the car.

Your Car (Coolant System)

• Check your engine coolant fluid level and make sure it's full. Over time, it's natural for coolant to become contaminated, so have your system flushed and replenished about every three years or 36,000 miles -- or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Overheating is often the result of poor air flow through your radiator. When your car is cool, check under the cap of your radiator for crystalized residue formed around the top or on the cap. It's a sign of restricted air flow and may lead to overheating, so have a technician replace or "flush out" your radiator.
• Your car is just as likely to overheat during stop-and-go traffic as it is during highway travel, so keep an eye on your temperature gauge (or engine light). If you gradually notice an increase reading, immediately check your coolant level; then take your car to the nearest service shop for testing.

Today's family automobile is a sophisticated, computer controlled machine that requires less care and is more dependable than its predecessors. But to keep your car running efficiently, regularly scheduled maintenance is key to reliable performance and can mean savings down the road. Without regular maintenance, you can shorten the life of your vehicle and void its warranty.

Below is a five-point preventive maintenance program to keep your car running smoothly:

• Oil Change - Unless your driving is mostly highway miles, todays engines will run better and last longer with clean oil every 3,000 miles or three months, including a filter change. A $30 oil change can save you from costly engine repairs later.
• Brakes - An unusual noise or a gentle tug on the steering wheel when stopping are common warning signs that its time to check the brakes. A good rule of thumb is to check the brakes at the 6,000- to 7,500-mile mark when tires should be rotated.
• Coolant System - Thoroughly flush coolant systems and replace with the appropriate antifreeze at least every two years to minimize metal deterioration and to keep the system flowing. And be sure to use the correct water to coolant mix. Check the coolant reservoir monthly (and the windshield washer reservoir, too) and top off as needed.
• Battery - As part of your cars regular maintenance, ask your technician to make sure the battery cover is in place and the battery is firmly anchored. Most important, clean the battery of corrosion, especially the electrical posts.
• Check-Engine Light - An illuminated check-engine light on your dashboard is your cars early warning system that something is wrong. It could be as simple as a loose gas cap or spark plug wire, or a serious forewarning of a mechanical failure. Take your car to an ASE-certified technician as soon as possible to diagnose and fix the problem.

Washing your car is like taking a good hot shower, it just makes you feel better. But there are some important things to remember. First, household detergent is a real no-no; it's likely to take off the wax and damage the paint. There are numerous products designed especially for your purpose available in auto supply store, use one of them.

Work in the shade and use a sponge, towel or wash mitt. These should be kept completely free of abrasive grit. Pay attention to those crevices underneath the vehicle that accumulate mud and road dirt. The high pressure hose in a do-it-yourself car wash is great for this, as is a home style pressure washer.

Automotive chemical manufacturers have developed new products that make the finished job more impressive. Tires and black plastic trim, for example, can be made to look like new with protective dressings. There are cleaners for chrome, aluminum and stainless steel; even products designed for hard-to-remove brake pad dust from wheels.

The Council reminds you that while we can't seem to escape harmful ultraviolet rays and acid rain, regular washing and waxing can keep your vehicle looking new.

The seasons are changing and, for many of us, that means a time change as well. For many, the time change has not only been earmarked as a time to reset the clock but also as a subtle reminder to check or replace the batteries in our home smoke detectors. Perhaps now is the time to add one more simple and very critical safety task to our list of things to do when we turn back our clocks - and that is to air your spare (tire that is).

According to a recent study by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), 71 percent of drivers do not check the tire pressure in their spare tire. A survey conducted by the sales engineers at Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire revealed that of 74 spare tires, only one tire was properly inflated and the average tire pressure was less than 50 percent of that recommended for the spare.

When it comes to tire care many people are not performing the most basic maintenance techniques," said Trisha Hessinger, national spokeswoman for Firestone Tire & Service Centers. "Certainly maintaining the four visible tires on your vehicle makes a lot of sense, but what if you need that spare? Typically the spare is the tire you need to depend on in a pinch, but if you never check the air pressure it may not perform at the crucial moment when you need it most. Keeping tires properly inflated also aids in getting the most gas mileage - with fuel prices at all time highs this could be a great cost savings."

Tires normally lose one psi each month due to air permeation thru the sidewall. It helps to think of a tire as a balloon - after time the air in a balloon will drop due to air leaking through the balloon's surface. Air will dissipate through the tire's sidewall in the same way. It is also important to note that with the change in seasons there is often a change in temperature -- for every 10 degree (F) drop in ambient temperature a tire will lose one psi. And it's the air that carries the load, so less air pressure means less load carrying capacity.

How do you check your tire pressure? Typically you can find the correct inflation pressure for original vehicle tires on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb, in the glove compartment, or in the vehicle owner's manual. Be certain to check the tire pressure with a good tire gauge when the tire is cold.

Vehicle Tips

• Keep your tires properly inflated, and check them frequently.
• Keep your front suspension and steering in proper alignment.
• Use the thinnest viscosity oil that you car's manufacturer recommends.
• Keep you engine in proper mechanical condition.
• Keep your engine in tune and make sure the air and fuel filters are clean.
• Make sure your brakes are not dragging.
• Repair body damage. That crunched front fender adds aerodynamic drag - just ask any race car driver.
• Don't use premium fuel if your car does not require it; using it is an unnecessary expense.
• Don't waster your money on those late night "as seen on TV" products that are supposed to increase your mileage.

Driving Tips

• Avoid excessive warm-up time. Modern engines do not require it.
• Don't idle your engine for long periods. Turn off your engine when you leave the car or have to wait a long time.
• Avoid jack-rabbit starts.
• Keep your speed at 55 miles per hour or less whenever possible.
• For newer vehicles with aerodynamic designs, close the windows and turn on the A/C when driving on the freeway.
• For older cars with inefficient A/C compressors, use the ventilation system and close the windows, temperature permitting.
• Anticipate merging traffic and stoplights - decelerate and accelerate smoothly.
• Plan your trips wisely. If you need to go several places, plan a route that allows you to run most or all of your errands in one outing.
• Empty the trunk! Extra clothes, overdue library books, tools and the bag of aluminum cans that you have been meaning to take to the recycler all weigh down your car unnecessarily.
• Car pool whenever possible or practical.
• Listen to radio reports for alternate routes around congested areas.
• Drive in the highest gear possible (without lugging the engine).
• Try to keep your speed constant. Use cruise control when on long stretches of road.

Are you one of those optimistic drivers who doesn't worry about stopping for gas until the gas gauge needle is approaching “E”? In cold weather that's inviting trouble, says the Car Care Council. Condensation of moisture in the air in the gas tank causes an accumulation of water. Because water is heavier than gasoline, it settles to the bottom of the tank, entering the gas line and eventually working its way to the lowest point in the fuel system.

Once the moisture freezes, the fuel flow is blocked and the engine may not start on a cold morning.

Most brands of gasoline are formulated to prevent freezing, says the Council. Additional protection in the form of gas line antifreeze, however, can prevent starting trouble in severe cold. This methanol (methyl-alcohol) based product, found among automotive chemicals on most auto supply shelves, mixes with water to prevent freezing. The solution of gasoline, alcohol and water is burned in the engine's combustion process.

Some premium brands of fuel antifreeze products contain isopropanol, capable of absorbing five times its weight in water.

Consider other reasons for not allowing the gas tank to drop too far below half full. First, and most obvious, is the possibility of running out of gas in an area where no service stations available.

The other reason, less obvious, applies to fuel injected vehicles on which the fuel pump is located inside the gas tank. Cooled by the gasoline that surrounds it, the pump can be damaged from overheating when fuel level is too low.

It costs no more to keep a tank at least half full and the addition of fuel line antifreeze is a small price to pay for the added protection it affords.

Beyond this, because a battery loses some of its output in cold weather, be certain it's OK for another winter's use. Finally, concludes the Council, make sure your engine has adequate antifreeze/coolant protection and that the spark plugs and ignition system components are up to the cold weather challenge, it'll save you down the road.

Changing the many fluids in a vehicle is always a change for the better. Dirty engine oil, transmission fluid or anti-freeze are bad news for a car. But what about brake fluid? Many motorists know that this fluid should be topped off, but changed?

According to the Car Care Council brake fluid in the typical vehicle can become contaminated in two years or less. This is because the fluid absorbs moisture, which works its way through the hydraulic system. Under heavy braking conditions, such as those encountered in mountainous or hilly driving or when towing a trailer, moisture in the overheated fluid vaporizes (boiling point of water is lower than that of brake fluid) and braking efficiency is reduced.

"Even under normal driving conditions this condition can develop if the brake fluid is seriously contaminated" says Rich White, spokesperson for the Car Care Council. "Not only is the fluid vulnerable to vaporizing, it also can freeze.

Brake fluid must maintain a stable viscosity throughout its operating temperature range. If it's too thick or too thin, braking action is impaired. Beyond the vaporization hazard, moisture creates an additional problem for owners of vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking (ABS) systems. Rusted and corroded ABS components are very expensive to replace.

How does a car owner know when to have fluid changed? The Council recommends replacement every two years or 24,000 miles.