In the month of January, through a regional partnership among cities, counties, state, and non-profit groups, vehicle owners can get free checks for leaks, discounts on repairs, and education on car maintenance. The ‘Don’t Drip & Drive’ program has returned to the Puget Sound area to help check the avoidable oil drips and leaks that amount to the release of 7 million quarts of oil, roughly the equivalent of a tanker truck spill every day!
Oil dripped on roads and parking lots gets carried in our storm water into our lakes and streams, and lends to pollution of our environment, especially the aquatic habitats and water. ‘Fix That Leak’ and perhaps avoid steeper maintenance costs in the future for your vehicle.
More than 200 repair shops will offer a free and easy leak inspection (a service valued at up to $80) in January. If a leak is found, these shops offer a 10% discount on repairs. The ‘Don’t Drip & Drive’ program also offers free classes for motorists to bring their cars, where they can learn about maintenance and get a free leak inspection from the instructor. These classes are being taught by automotive program instructions from area high schools and technical colleges.
Since 2013, ‘Don’t Drip & Drive’ partner shops and automotive training centers have tested more than 10,000 vehicles for leaks. It’s time to check yours too! Studies have shown that at least 1 in 10 vehicles have a leak, and with about 5 million cars in Washington, that’s a lot of leaking oil. “A vehicle leak isn’t just damaging to the environment, but it also may indicate that your vehicle is in need of repair and may eventually lead to a mechanical breakdown if not addressed,” observed AAA Washington’s Vice-President of Automotive Services, John Milbrath.
Find participating repair shops, and free classes, on the FixCarLeaks.org website. ‘Don’t Drip & Drive’ is a regional partnership organized by over 80 local governments in the Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities (STORM) consortium, the Washington Department of Ecology and more than 400 non-profit partners, including AAA Washington. The ‘Don’t Drip & Drive’ program is intended to raise awareness by vehicle owners and motivate them to get checks and repairs of oil leaks.