If everyone in the U.S. got a regular tune-up and replaced their car’s air filter, total U.S. emissions would fall by more than 0.9 percent.

Frequent tune-ups will help your car run more efficiently, saving 4 percent of the energy it uses each year. Plus, getting a tune-up might stop the annoying rattling sound that gets in the way of your public radio listening. 

Mechanic Harrison Garcia works on a Ford Mustang at Brake and Wheel Service Center in San Francisco, California. According to a survey by the Automotive Service Association, sales at auto repair shops increased 16 percent in November as people make a small investment by way of repairs and maintenance to extend the life of their cars instead of buying a new one. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images