Precision Tune Auto Care & Kids for Saving Earth Challenge Motorists
8 March 1999
Precision Tune Auto Care & Kids for Saving Earth Challenge Motorists to Tune-Up the Earth
Carbon Dioxide Challenge: It's a Matter of Life and Breath
LEESBURG, Va., March 8 -- Did you know that one of the
biggest contributors of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere is a poorly
tuned vehicle? Reducing CO2 emissions is one important step toward a
healthier planet. That's why Precision Tune Auto Care has joined forces with
Kids for Saving Earth Worldwide (KSE) to launch the "Tune Up the Earth"
Campaign. The program encourages children to work with their families, their
schools and their youth organizations with the goal of reducing a ton of CO2
emissions per family by the millennium.
KSE is a national non-profit organization founded in 1989 in honor of
environmentalist, Clinton Hill, who died of a brain tumor at the age of 11.
KSE is working to realize Clint's dream and empower children to make a
difference on behalf of the environment. The "Tune Up the Earth" educational
materials feature the Carbon Dioxide Challenge -- ways children, with their
families, can significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
"We're working with Precision Tune Auto Care to get the message out and
effect positive change in everyday activities," said Tessa Hill, Clint's
mother and President of KSE Worldwide. "Properly taking care of vehicles is
one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions."
Consumers are encouraged to visit any one of the 430 Precision Tune Auto
Care centers in the U.S., who are now distributing the "Tune Up the Earth"
posters and "Earth Art" coloring sheets while supplies last, according to Pete
Tahinos, VP of Marketing for Precision Auto Care, Inc. The Earth Art coloring
sheets serve as an entry form into the Precision Tune Auto Care Year 2000
Calendar Art Coloring Contest. Children are asked to draw their best ideas on
how to "tune up the earth" and submit them to Precision Tune Auto Care no
later than July 1st. Artwork will be judged nationally by representatives from
Precision Tune Auto Care and KSE. Winning artwork will be featured in
Precision Tune Auto Care's Year 2000 Calendar. Each child turning in artwork
will receive a "Defender of the Planet" award certificate for participating,
explained Tahinos.
Both KSE and Precision Tune Auto Care are committed to building
relationships in the community and employing strong environmental practices.
Vehicles are one of the biggest sources of CO2. Burning one gallon of gas puts
20 lbs. of CO2 into the atmosphere. A yearly tune-up can save as much as 900
lbs. of CO2 being released into the air.
"Carbon dioxide emissions are a major source of pollution," said Hill. "An
increase in childhood asthma has been traced to CO2 emissions. But by making
small changes in daily activities, individuals and families can make a major
contribution to protecting the Earth from more pollution and damage." With
the steps listed below, a family can significantly reduce CO2 emissions by:
* Using one 100 watt light bulb one hour less each day to save 73 lbs. a
year.
* Saving seven miles of driving each week to save 364 lbs. of CO2 a year.
* Reducing air conditioning by one degree to save almost 220 lbs. of CO2
emissions.
* Recycling one can, one glass bottle and one newspaper a day, over a
year, to save 60 lbs. of CO2 emissions.
For more information about the Tune Up the Earth Campaign, please visit a
Precision Tune Auto Care center or visit the Company's Internet site at:
http://www.precision-tune.com. More information on KSE can be found at their Web
site: http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org or by writing to KSE, PO Box 421118,
Minneapolis, MN 55442.
Precision Tune Auto Care franchises provide the driving public with
convenient and professional car care services, including expert diagnostics,
repair, complete fluid maintenance services such as oil change and
lubrication, cooling system service, air conditioning service, brake service,
emissions system service, ignition, starting/charging service, and maintenance
of all systems related to engine performance. Each center is staffed with
expertly trained personnel using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
Precision Auto Care, Inc. is the world's largest franchisor
of auto care centers, with 646 operating centers as February 28, 1999. The
Company franchises and operates Precision Tune Auto Care, Precision Auto Wash,
and Precision Lube Express centers around the world.