CARSON, Calif., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- With nearly four in five car owners planning to drive their current vehicle for 50,000 (or more) miles longer than they drove their previous one, and the economic crunch driving car owners to do their own car repairs(1), AutoMD.com has released a list of tips - from recycling oil to using remanufactured parts - to help these DIYers keep both their environment and their wallets green.  

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the oil from one oil change can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water (a year's supply for 50 people)(2), and the use of reconditioned parts not only saves valuable environmental resources, it can save car owners 50 percent or more compared to the cost of purchasing new parts(3).  

To help car owners 'green' their auto repair and maintenance, AutoMD.com's team of mechanics identified some common DIY repair and maintenance activities and applied a simple formula: the "Four R's": Recycle – Repair – Re-use – and Be Resource-Friendly.

AutoMD.com's Green Auto Repair and Maintenance Tips:

1. RECYCLEOIL, ANTIFREEZE AND PARTS

If all the oil from American do-it-yourself oil changers were recycled, it
would be enough to supply more than 50 million cars a year.(2) Oil, antifreeze
and parts can usually be recycled at your local repair shop.Click here for more
info

2. REPAIR, DON'T REPLACE

Extending the life of your vehicle and its body parts through proper repair and
maintenance can help save environmental resources, prevent costly repairs and
conserve consumer dollars.Click here for more info

3. RE-USEPARTS AND SUPPLIES

Rebuilt/remanufactured and used parts are easily available and can cost 50%
less than buying new parts, while also reducing the amount of raw materials
consumed and harmful emissions generated.Click here for more info

4. BE RESOURCE-FRIENDLY WHEN YOU CLEAN

Chances are that whatever you clean your vehicle with could end up in the storm
drain and our streams, rivers, or oceans, so be conscious of the products you
are using, or better still, use a commercial car wash, which generally uses
much less water.Click here for more info

5. USE RESOURCE-FRIENDLY PARTS AND PRODUCTS

Look at options for greener or longer-life products, such as extended life
antifreeze and organic brake pads.Click here for more info

"While many auto repair shops have instituted green practices in their shops and have been recycling parts and oil for years, there is little information available to help the average DIY car owner keep his/her maintenance and repair work environmentally friendly," said AutoMD.com President Shane Evangelist.  "At AutoMD.com we want to empower car owners with information to help them 'green' their auto repair, not only to help save valuable environmental resources and prevent a polluted water supply but, importantly in this economic climate, to help them save significant dollars."

About AutoMD.com

AutoMD.com™ (www.automd.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Auto Parts Network, Inc., (Nasdaq: PRTS), is the most comprehensive and unbiased free online automotive repair resource designed to empower car owners with the best way to repair their vehicles.  Backed by a team of automotive data specialists and certified auto mechanics who are advocates for the car owner, AutoMD.com allows both car owners and DIYers to 1. Troubleshoot car problems, 2. Know how much auto repairs should cost, 3. Understand the steps needed and the time it should take with How-to Auto Repair guides, 4. Find the right local auto repair shop at the right price for their issue, and 5. Get auto repair questions answered by the AutoMD.com community.  AutoMD.com was named Best Automotive Website in the 8^th annual American Business Awards, also known as the as the Stevie^® Awards.

1 AutoMD.com Survey http://www.automd.com/About-AutoMD/Press/2-10-2010/

2 EPA http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/usedoil/

3 EPA http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/auto.htm



Contact:

Media Relations

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com

Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, (714) 454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com

SOURCE U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc.