News & Updates

Hundreds of consumers will soon learn how to keep their vehicles in prime condition, fuel efficient, and safe and reliable on the road thanks to Firestone Tire & Service Centers (FTSC). Starting next month and in conjunction with National Car Care Month, consumers can attend free, interactive seminars in 35 cities across the nation, most at select Firestone Tire & Service Centers and TiresPlus stores.

Trisha Hessinger, a nationally recognized automotive education specialist and former race car driver, returns as the spokeswoman for the Car Care Academy program. A leading authority on automotive issues, Hessinger has been a guest speaker for major auto manufacturers, hosted three cable television shows and is a contributing writer for various magazines and newspapers on automotive subjects.

“ All drivers – regardless of age or gender – benefit from car care basics,” said Hessinger. “Consumers who attend a Car Care Academy will leave empowered with safe driving techniques and confident the next time their car needs service or repair.”

Firestone Tire & Service Centers, through its free Car Care Academies, have been educating consumers on the importance of vehicle and tire maintenance for more than 30 years. Consumers are armed with basic but vital car care information, educated about vehicle safety, and made aware of how to save time and money through proper car care fundamentals. FTSC’s Car Care Academies have evolved into a larger and more extensive program; each year reaching more people. This year is no exception as the Car Care Academy program prepares to deliver 37 free academies from April through October. Twenty-seven academies are open to the public and 10 are privately hosted by businesses for their employees.

“ Businesses have been enthusiastic about offering academies to their employees as a training seminar,” said Hessinger.

“ Let’s face it, people don’t often have the opportunity to learn simple, yet important vehicle maintenance procedures like what to check for and when to check it. Or useful driving tips such as ways to stay safe while driving in inclement weather. This is useful information that is always very well received.”

At all the academies, educational information is shared verbally, by demonstration and through helpful informational brochures. Some examples include “Car Care Tips” and “Inflate, Rotate, Evaluate” brochures, which illustrate for consumers the Car Care Academy’s messages on vehicle and tire maintenance and safety, plus tips to help consumers detect preventable problems and avoid costly repairs. Both brochures are free to the public and focus on topics every driver needs to know.

In addition to Firestone Tire & Service Centers’ public Car Care Academy program, the academies have been integrated into some of the company’s key partnerships such as the Girl Scouts of the USA, the nation’s leading authority on girls, and Driver’s Edge, a non-profit driver’s educational program, which teaches defensive driving exercises to teens. This component helps empower the next generation of drivers with basic car care knowledge and makes it smarter and safer on the road.

To find out more about Firestone Tire & Service Centers’ Car Care Academy program, please visit www.MasterCareUSA.com.

Firestone Tire & Service Centers is owned and operated by BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC). BFRC operates the largest number of company-owned automotive retail generalist stores in the world. MasterCare® technicians perform part repairs and replacements, routine scheduled maintenance services, and a variety of diagnostic services covering major systems within a vehicle. To learn more about driving tips and maintenance or Firestone Tire & Service Centers locations, visit www.MasterCareUSA.com.

BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC is headquartered in Bloomingdale, Ill., and operates more than 2,200 consumer and commercial vehicle service and tire locations across the United States and Canada, including the Firestone Tire & Service Centers, TiresPlus, ExpertTire and GCR Tire Centers store locations. The company’s credit card operations are also part of BFRC.

Editor’s Note: A list of Firestone Car Care Academies locations and dates is attached. Please visit www.MasterCareUSA.com to sign up for a Car Care Academy near you.

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