Kick off the Summer Travel Season With AutoTrader.com

    ATLANTA--May 16, 2001--Memorial Day is Monday the 28th, marking the start of the summer travel season for millions of Americans.
    Traditionally, driving has been the way most people travel during this long holiday weekend. However, with this year's record high gasoline prices, cautious spending is important. In areas such as California and Chicago, a gallon of gas has skyrocketed to a whopping $3 a gallon; the Energy Department estimates the national average at $1.70 per gallon.
    As a result, 6 out of 10 Americans are altering their travel plans this year, but despite the worries, driving is still expected to be the most popular mode of weekend travel. According to AAA's estimations, more than 34 million people will travel an average of 100 miles away from home. More than 28 million of them will be hitting the roads in cars, light trucks or RVs.
    AutoTrader.com, the Internet's leading used car classifieds site, offers some tips on how to reduce spending on gas this Memorial Day weekend as well as how to avoid traffic jams on the highways, so travelers can plan a fun and safe holiday weekend road trip.
    Whether you're heading to the city or the shore, AutoTrader.com suggests the following ways to save a little extra gas money:

	   --  Don't use premium gas unless necessary. Also, pump gas
        yourself whenever possible. Both these things can save at
        least $5 each time you fill up your tank.

	   --  Change your own oil. Save time and money by doing it at home
        instead.

	   --  Make sure your car is properly serviced. Keeping your car
        regularly maintained will save money in the long run by
        reducing the chances of mechanical failures. Check out books
        and Web sites that can show you how to make minor repairs.

    To sidestep heavy traffic, AutoTrader.com suggests: 

	   --  Plan your entire route ahead of time to avoid getting lost and
        wasting precious travel time. Allow plenty of extra time to
        get to your destination.

	   --  Go online before you hit the roads to get up-to-date traffic
        reports that detail heavily congested areas and traffic
        incidents, so that you can plan an alternate route. Many
        traffic alert services are also available wirelessly from your
        cell phone or PDA.

	   --  Download an easy-to-follow, turn-by-turn map from one of the
        many popular Internet mapping sites.

    Visit www.autotrader.com to access additional information such as price comparisons, safety tips, financing, insurance or warranty information. For more information or to set up an interview with an executive, please contact Mira Sleilati at 917-522-3516 or msleilati@accesspr.com.