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This 90\u00b0 Texas weather has got me thinking about summer vacations and road trips! \u00a0I have teamed up with WaterSavers<\/a>\u00ae<\/b>, a consumer awareness campaign from the International Carwash Association\u00ae<\/b>\u00a0(ICA), to share with you a few tips and a giveaway to help you gear up for any upcoming road trips!<\/p>\n

WaterSavers<\/a>\u00ae\u00a0created these\u00a0four Eco-friendly car tips to get you back on the road:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wash your car at a professional car wash.<\/strong> Using a professional car wash is a great way to protect the environment. According to the International Carwash Association, WaterSavers professional car washes use an average of 40 gallons of water or less per car while recycling and filtering their water to prevent harmful chemicals from going into our rivers and streams. Professional car washes also remove salt from the undercarriage of your vehicle, which is a must after a long winter.\u00a0 By comparison, the average home washing machine uses 41 gallons per cycle, and a garden hose uses 63 gallons of water in just five minutes. You can learn more, and find a WaterSavers wash at\u00a0Washwithwatersavers.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Give the inside a deep clean.<\/strong> Outside elements are hard on the exterior of your car, but many people forget the abuse the vehicle\u2019s interior takes as well. Think of how many times you\u2019ve crawled into your vehicle with dirty feet and you can begin to understand why cleaning the inside is necessary. Apply some baking soda and a rubber sponge to your floor mats for an environmentally friendly and efficient clean. Then, wipe down interior surfaces with a microfiber cloth and vacuum the fabric and floor to remove dirt, sand, salt and dust.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t forget the maintenance check.<\/strong> Summer is almost here, but that doesn\u2019t mean your vehicle can skip an overall maintenance check, especially if you want to save energy. Make sure to have your oil changed and give your vehicle an once-over. Check the fluid levels as well. The more efficiently your vehicle runs, the more gas you\u2019ll save.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How\u2019s your tire pressure and alignment?<\/strong> Low tire pressure will cause your vehicle to overexert itself and waste gas so make sure your tires are up to the task. Your tires list their recommended pressure on the side. If you can\u2019t find it, you can find the recommended tire pressure in your owner\u2019s manual. It is also a good idea to have a certified technician conduct an alignment test since it could have been thrown off by driving over pot holes during the winter months.<\/p>\n

Before your next road trip I hope you follow these tips and have a safe summer vacation!<\/em><\/p>\n

The WaterSavers^{\u00ae<\/sup> program aims to inform consumers that professional car washes are safer for the environment than washing a car at home and on pavement. For more information and to find a certified location near you, visit} WashWithWaterSavers.com<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

Connect with WaterSavers on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Win It:<\/strong>\u00a0 WaterSavers Prize Package<\/strong><\/p>\n

This giveaway is open to US residents, 18+ only. The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm CST on 5\/31.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Prize Pack Details<\/b><\/p>\n

We have created a special WaterSavers prize package for you which includes:<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gap Stick<\/b><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A versatile auto accessory to help access the hard-to-reach areas of a vehicle.\u00a0Designed with a strong magnetic hook, the gap stick can pick up a key ring, jewelry or anything else that has slipped between the seat and the center console.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Phone Caddy<\/b><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A plastic phone holder that clips to air vents in any vehicle to keep your phone in view for GPS usage and close to charging outlets.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Auto Trash Bag<\/b><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A sleekly designed bag\u00a0with\u00a0a bottom zippered compartment for extra garage bags or hand wipes.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0$50 Visa Gift Card<\/b><\/p>\n