BETHESDA, Md. – In recognition of Earth Day today, the Car Care Council is encouraging vehicle owners to consider the new 3 R’s to do their part to protect the environment: Reuse, reduce and repower. Consumers could make a huge environmental contribution and a wise investment by reusing or hanging onto their current vehicles rather than buying a new one, by reducing emissions and fuel consumption through vehicle maintenance and by repowering a failed engine.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s a great time to consider the environment by reusing, reducing and repowering. You’ll not only protect the environment, but you’ll protect your vehicle investment, too.”

The Car Care Council offers the following tips to reuse, reduce and repower this Earth Day:

• Reuse your current vehicle for years to come and limit the number of new cars you buy over the course of a lifetime. Extending vehicle life is as simple as taking care of your vehicle properly. Follow a service interval schedule, perform routine maintenance and repairs and only clean your car with proper automotive car wash products, not dish detergent.

• Reduce fuel consumption and emissions by following a few simple gas-savings tips: perform regular tune-ups, keep tires properly inflated, replace air filters regularly, replace oil regularly and check your gas cap. These steps will not only help you “reduce,” but they will also save money at the pump. To learn more, visit www.carcare.org/car-care-articles/fuel-saving-tips.

• Repower your engine when faced with serious engine trouble. Repowering with a remanufactured/rebuilt engine can give your vehicle new life for about the cost of an average down payment on a new car. Repowered engines are dependable, reliable and backed by excellent warranty programs. To learn more, visit www.enginerepower.org.

For more information about making your vehicle environmentally friendly, visit the Car Care Council’s Web site at www.carcare.org/car-care-guide to check out the popular digital Car Care Guide.