Take the greener route at Green Living Show

CAA SCO launches Autogreen Challenge

TORONTO, April 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Drivers are feeling the pain at the pumps as gas prices continue to soar and are expected to reach record highs by the end of the month. That is why CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is offering fuel-saving tips at this year's Green Living Show from April 13-15 at Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place.

This weekend, CAA SCO in partnership with Ontario Tire Stewardship, Plugn'Drive and Trees Ontario, encourage consumers to take the greener route when it comes to lifestyle choices and product selections by visiting our booths and participating in this year's Autogreen Challenge. Visitors can test their eco-smarts and share eco-friendly tips for a chance to win an iPod Touch or one of two grand prizes valued at $5,000.

"CAA SCO is thrilled to be at the Green Living Show for the third year in a row," said Nick Parks, President and CEO, CAA SCO. "We are reminding drivers there are small changes they can make to their daily driving routine which can help save money and the environment, at the same time."

CAA SCO fuel-saving tips:

Properly inflate your tires. Check your tire pressure at least once a month when tires are cold and the car has not been driven recently.

Service your vehicle regularly. Keeping your car running properly will help maximize your fuel economy.

Be gentle on the gas and brakes. One of the easiest and most effective ways to conserve fuel is to change your driving style.

Reduce your highway speed; use cruise control. Fuel consumption starts to increase above 90km/hr.

Lighten your load. Clean out your trunk and avoid using the roof rack.

Combine your trips to save fuel and time; consider carpooling. Try to combine multiple trips into one. Several short trips starting with a cold engine each time can use twice as much gas as a one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.

Join us at the Green Living Show and visit the CAA/Trees Ontario booth (#1001), OTS booth (#706) and Plugn'Drive booth (#1142).

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance. Visit www.caasco.com.

For further information:

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [e-mail], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Internal/External PR Specialist, [e-mail], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].