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Each year in Canada, neglected maintenance leads an untold number of deaths and disabling injuries, as well as costs associated with lost wages, medical expenses and property damage.

The Canadian government does not track the number of deaths that are caused by neglected maintenance, however, we know that in the United States, each year, neglected maintenance leads to more than 2,600 deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries and more than $2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses and property damage.

Most mechanical failures can be traced to neglected maintenance.

For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports the leading cause of mechanical breakdown on US highways is overheating, a condition that is easily avoidable. Other deficiencies that are simple to detect include low antifreeze/coolant, worn or loose drive belts and defective cooling system hoses. Checking tire pressure and inflating a tire costs nothing and can avoid a blowout and a serious accident.

Car Care Canada offers these fuel-saving tips:

1. Vehicle gas caps -- About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing over 25 million litres of gasoline to vaporize each year.

2. Under inflated tires -- When tires aren’t inflated properly it’s like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a cent or two every two litres.

3. Worn spark plugs -- A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,500 kilometres, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plus causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.

4. Dirty air filters -- An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a “rich” mixture -- too much gas being burned for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 5 cents per litre.

Fuel-saving driving tips include:

1. Don’t be an aggressive driver -- Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets, which results in 2 to 15 cents per litre.

2. Avoid excessive idling -- Sitting idle gets zero miles per litre. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.

3. Observe the speed limit -- Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 100 kph. Each kph driven over 100 will result in an additional 3 cents per litre. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.

WIPERS - Although climates vary, wipers generally need replacing every six months. An easy reminder is to change wiper blades in the spring and fall when you change your clock. Be sure the windshield washers are working properly, too, and keep the reservoir filled with solvent.

LIGHTING - Another important pre-trip check should be exterior and interior lighting. In the United States, vehicle check lanes revealed an overall failure rate of over 25 percent in the lighting category. Car Care Canada reminds motorists to check their lights monthly. Other suggestions from Car Care Canada include turning on headlights both day and night. This helps define your car’s position on the road, and its distance from other drivers. When your vehicle’s lighting is defective, other motorists may not get the message that you intend to stop or turn. The end result could be disastrous. Traffic deaths occur three times more often at night. Whiter headlights can improve driver reaction time and make it easier to avoid road hazards.

Ten-minute pre-trip checkup can pay off

Car Care Canada offers three suggestions for a traveler’s 10-minute pretrip checklist:

1. Check all fluids. There are several fluids, in addition to antifreeze, that require attention, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids and windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

2. Check hoses and belts. A belt that fails can affect the electrical system, air conditioning and power steering, as well as the cooling system. Cooling system hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and clamps in marginal condition might need to be replaced.

3. Check the tires. Check tire inflation and inspect the tread for uneven wear, indicating the need for wheel alignment. Also look for bulges and bald spots.

“While a last minute checkup is better than no checkup, motorists should plan ahead to allow time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service facility. A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even save a few dollars at the gas pumps,” said Car Care Canada’s Marc Brazeau.

Not only can a pre-trip inspection help reduce chances of costly and possibly dangerous road trouble, it also provides an opportunity to have repairs made at home, with one’s own technician who knows the vehicle.

Especially important, it provides peace of mind. While no inspection can guarantee a car’s performance, it’s comforting to know proper precautions were taken.