Sales of Locking Gas Caps Rise with Gas Prices; Pep Boys Reminds Motorists to Maintain Vehicles to Enhance Fuel Economy

PHILADELPHIA--May 2, 2006--The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack , the nation's leading automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, is seeing a steady increase in the sale of locking gas caps, which correlates to the rise in gas prices.

Locking gas caps require that a key be used to remove the cap from the fuel fill pipe, which prevents someone from siphoning fuel. Pep Boys sells nearly 25 different part numbers of locking gas caps, ranging in price from approximately $14.99 to $29.99, as well as replacement OEM gas caps. To purchase a cap, motorists will need to know their vehicle year, make and model, as the caps are built to accommodate the various styles used by the manufacturer. Sales of the locking caps more than doubled in the last week, as motorists seek ways to protect their cars and pocketbooks.

"A great way to protect your vehicle from fuel theft and the costly damage that often accompanies fuel theft is to protect your fuel with a locking gas cap," says Pep Boys Vice President of Retail Merchandising Galen Bullock. "Pep Boys has a wide array of locking gas caps in stock to fit a variety of vehicles."

Gas caps also help with passenger safety and emission control. Without a gas cap, gasoline vapors could be present around a car at any time. Those vapors could be ignited by a random spark or flame and are very dangerous if a driver is involved in an accident. Gasoline vapors can also emit hydrocarbons which dissolve the earth's ozone layer and cause smog.

Proper vehicle care provides additional insurance to enhance fuel economy. Pep Boys reminds motorists to maximize fuel economy by maintaining proper air pressure in their tires and properly maintaining their vehicle. Pep Boys offers all of these services at a considerable savings over the price of a dealer's services.

Here are 8 things motorists should be mindful of to make their cars more fuel efficient:

-- Engine performance - Probably the biggest waste of gas is an inefficient engine, commonly shown to the driver through an illuminated check engine light. Often, repair or replacement of malfunctioning components such as mass airflow sensors, oxygen sensors, and others will frequently restore fuel efficiency. In addition, periodic fuel system cleaning removes carbon build-up from engines and can improve gas mileage.

-- Tire Pressure - Under- or over-inflation of tires can lead to decreased fuel mileage and improper wear, shortening the life of the tires. Consumers should consult their owner's manuals for the recommended tire pressure and check their tires monthly with a tire pressure gauge.

-- Air Filters - Dirty air filters can cause engines to run at less than peak efficiency. Regular visual checks of the air filter can show if it needs replacing, and the owner's manual will suggest appropriate replacement intervals.

-- Oil - Using the correct viscosity is important because high viscosity oils have greater resistance to the moving parts of the engine, and that uses more gas.

-- Unnecessary Air Conditioner Use - Using the air conditioner excessively consumes more gas, so motorists should be prudent when turning on the A/C.

-- Driving Style - Quick starts from a stoplight or stop sign use more fuel than a smooth steady acceleration. Adjusting driving styles can save gas.

-- Extended Idling Time - Unnecessary idling of the engine will cause excessive fuel use, so avoid keeping the car running "while you run into the store for a minute."

-- Alignment - Improper alignment of both the front and rear wheels and suspension decreases ease of steering, shortens tire life, increases road vibrations and drag, resulting in decreased fuel economy. Maintain alignment regularly for optimum results.

About Pep Boys

Pep Boys has 593 stores and over 6,000 service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its vehicle repair and maintenance capabilities, the company also serves the commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS or by visiting pepboys.com.