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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Soaring Gas Prices? Routine Maintenance May Help Improve Your Vehicle’s Fuel Economy

April 3, 2003 Janesville, WI – With gas prices on the rise, it’s important that your vehicle get the best gas mileage possible. And, whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or prefer to have someone do it for you, routine vehicle maintenance may help optimize your vehicle’s fuel economy. The automotive experts at Blain’s Farm & Fleet have put together a few tips which might help stretch your dollar at the gas pump.

- Improper tire size can cause an increase or decrease in revolutions of the tire, therefore impacting your gas mileage. Make sure that your vehicle is equipped with the manufacturer’s recommended tire size. This can be found on the placard located on the driver’s side door or by asking your local Blain’s Farm & Fleet Tire Specialist.

- Your tires should always be properly inflated. Tire pressure should be checked regularly, at least monthly, and especially prior to long, extended trips. One way to remember to check your tire pressure is to check it whenever you get gas. A common misconception is to inflate the tires to whatever pounds per square inch (PSI) is listed on the tire itself. The PSI listed on the tire is actually the maximum pressure for that tire. Each vehicle carries a manufacturer recommended tire PSI. The manufacturer’s recommendations can be found on the placard located on the driver’s side door or by checking with your local Blain’s Farm & Fleet Tire Specialist.

- A vehicle that is out of alignment may not only cause tires to wear out prematurely, but may also impact your vehicle’s fuel economy. For example, an improper toe adjustment on your vehicle may increase your vehicle’s rolling resistance while potentially decreasing your gas mileage.

- Tune ups can play a major factor in optimizing your vehicle’s fuel economy. Anything that involves the performance of your engine, i.e., spark plugs, air filters, cap and rotor, ignition wires, pcv valve, crankcase breather filters and fuel filters, should be maintained according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

- Although such things as fuel injector and carburetor cleaners may help improve your vehicle’s fuel economy, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned oil change. Most manufacturers recommend having your oil and filter changed once every three months or 3,000 miles. Be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommendation for oil viscosity, because a thicker oil viscosity (20W30 versus 5W30) may lower your vehicle’s fuel economy.

- Exhaust performance can also impact good fuel economy. Replacing a bad or blocked converter or switching to a performance muffler may improve your vehicles gas mileage.

Although nothing can guarantee an improvement, following routine maintenance tips per your manufacturer’s recommendations may improve your vehicle’s fuel economy. Taking other measures like car pooling and using your vehicle’s outside air vent instead of the air conditioner may help curb the price at the pump as well. Of course, when running shopping errands, go to stores that can meet all your needs in one stop like Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet stores are specialty discount retailers with 34 locations throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Throughout the years, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to offering customers high quality products, competitive prices and reliable service.

The retail stores described in this press release are owned by individual corporations listed. They are not owned by or a subsidiary of Blain Supply, Inc. For further information about Blain Supply, Inc., please contact Renee Tarnutzer via phone at 608.754.2821 ext. 5209 or via email at rtarnutzer@blainsupply.com.