The Car Care Council Launches 'Be Car Care Aware' Consumer Education Campaign

Free Service Interval Schedule Available at www.carcare.org

BETHESDA, Md., March 31 -- "Be Car Care Aware," a consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair, is being launched in conjunction with National Car Care Month, the Car Care Council announced.

"With April being National Car Care Month, there's no better time for motorists to be more car care aware about the very real economic, safety and environmental benefits of performing regular vehicle maintenance," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. See www.carcare.org.

Research from the Car Care Council shows that nine out of ten vehicles on the road are in need of routine maintenance or repair. Vehicle neglect contributes to 5 percent of all accidents, leads to 26,000 deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries and more than $2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses and property damage each year.

"Our consumer research finds that motorists are most concerned about vehicle safety and dependability when thinking about car care, yet more than $60 billion in maintenance and repair is left unperformed each year," said White. "Putting off routine vehicle maintenance allows small problems to turn into bigger and more costly problems just as with medical care."

To help take the guesswork out of what vehicle systems need to be routinely inspected and when maintenance and repair should be performed, the Car Care Council is introducing an easy-to-read Service Interval Schedule. Whether you do-it-yourself or rely on a professional service technician, this schedule serves as a convenient quick-reference guide to the proper care of the vehicle's major systems, including: braking, heating and cooling, electrical and ignition, emission control, fuel, and steering and suspension. Maintaining vehicle components such as tires, windshield wipers, lights, and the vehicle's body, is also addressed. To obtain a free copy of the Service Interval Schedule, visit www.carcare.org.

"Taking an active role in maintaining your vehicle is the best way to ensure safety, dependability and avoid costly repairs down the road," White concluded.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" campaign, educating consumers about the benefits of regular care, maintenance and repair.

For more information about routine vehicle maintenance and how to "Be Car Care Aware," log onto www.carcare.org.

NOTE TO EDITORS: White is available for interviews.