Submitted by City of Tumwater
Tumwater, WA—Vehicle leaks can cause problems for drivers and the environment, but a new program called “Don’t Drip and Drive” puts Puget Sound area residents in the driver’s seat to diagnose and find an affordable fix for vehicle leaks. During the month of April, drivers can make an appointment to take their vehicles to a participating Automotive Service Association (ASA) repair shop for a free visual inspection, a diagnostic service valued at up to $80. The inspection is especially recommended for vehicles that are 2005 models or earlier.
If there is a leak, the driver will receive up to 10 percent off service (up to $50) to fix the problem, for a total savings of up to $130 on inspection and repair. All participating technicians are members of ASA to ensure they meet ASA’s standards of quality.
In addition to prolonging the life of your vehicle, fixing vehicle leaks helps protect our local waterways. The Washington Department of Ecology estimates that seven million quarts of motor oil are released into Puget Sound each year from vehicles leaking onto roadways. These leaks are picked up by rain and carried into the nearest storm drain. Most storm drains flow into the nearest water body with minimal, if any, treatment.
“Don’t Drip and Drive” is coordinated by the Puget Sound area group Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities (STORM). The program in South Sound is coordinated by the Stormwater Utilities of the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County.
To take advantage of the free visual inspection for vehicle leaks, make an appointment with one of the local participating ASA automobile repair shops. For a complete list of participating Puget Sound auto shops and additional information about the program, please visit www.fixcarleaks.org.
