It's crunch time and if you're still struggling with what to give a loved one, family member or friend this holiday season, the perfect gift can be an item related to vehicle safety. Tire pressure gauges, ice scrapers, emergency kits, windshield wipers or the new consumer Car Care Guide, published by the Car Care Council, are suitable items for any drivers on your list.

"These small and relatively inexpensive items play a big role in vehicle safety and reliability especially during winter driving when road conditions can be hazardous and unpredictable," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "They're a perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift that shows the drivers on your list that you truly care about them this holiday season."

Low tire pressure and windshield wipers were among the top six items that had the highest failure rate during National Car Care Month check-up events in 2005. Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month as properly inflated tires are critical to the vehicle's ride, handling, traction and safety. For optimum performance, wiper blades should be replaced every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering.

An emergency road kit is something that can be easily compiled or purchased. A kit should include an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, candles/matches, bottled water and dry food snacks.

The council's Car Care Guide, introduced in 2006, is a glove-box size consumer booklet that presents automotive maintenance and repair in everyday language. Single copies of the guide are available at no cost on the Car Care Council Web site at http://www.carcare.org/.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For more information, visit http://www.carcare.org/.