Free Auto Leaks Workshops: How to not be a drip (from your car, that is)

by Justine Asohmbom, Puget Sound educator

** NEW 2013 Workshops! for more information about FREE workshops see Don't Drip and Drive - Fix That Leak workshops (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/fixcarleaks.html) **

An oil leak in your car can be a frustrating thing, not to mention the fact that oil that drips onto driveways, parking lots and streets can find its way to our local creeks and Puget Sound, hurting wildlife and habitat. A new, free one-morning workshop gives you the basic knowledge to prevent and stop most car leaks.

You can do it!

Even if you never saw yourself as a do-it-yourselfer, these “Free Automotive Leaks” hands-on workshops at South Seattle Community College can jump start your car care knowledge.

Bring your car and learn step-by-step how to prevent, find and correct its leaks.

Check out this one minute video about the workshops and sign up today!

These monthly workshops are organized by Seattle Public Utilities in partnership with the Department of Ecology and South Seattle Community College. They are part of the trio’s incentive-based automotive education and outreach effort, the Automotive Maintenance Program (AMP). They are designed to raise awareness and encourage motorists to check for and fix car oil leaks. AMP aims to help reduce the amount of automotive contaminants that wash into our local streams and ultimately Puget Sound.

Car expert Jesse Ruiz teaches the four-hour workshops. He’s on the Automotive Technology program faculty at the college. You’ll learn how to check the ‘under belly’ of your own car to identify sources of oil and fluid leaks.

The workshop also covers how to repair common minor leaks, clean up spills, and where to take used auto fluids for proper disposal.

“These workshops are designed for only fifteen participants so that the instructor can take the time to look at each individual car and advise them on what to do. We also give participants the information and tool kit they need to mitigate the problem,” said Antony Matlock, the Program Coordinator with Seattle Public Utilities.

Participants in their own words

A video is worth a million words. Check out this testimonial video to hear what participants had to say about the workshop.

Upcoming Workshops:

To register, email Idris.Beamailto:Idris.Beauregard@seattle.gov or call (206)-684-3056.

• January 14, 2012
  
• February 11, 2012
  
• March 10, 2012
  
• April 14, 2012
  
• May 12, 2012
  
• June 9, 2012

Education for the next generation of drivers

In an effort to reach our next generation behind the wheel, we have also partnered with some Seattle schools, DECA Washington and KUBE 93 radio station to carry out an automotive oil leaks campaign in schools. As part of this campaign, the students will produce PSAs about car oil leaks and also engage their peers through an integrated on-air, on-line and on-site campaign.

Kick-off for the campaign is scheduled for Spring 2012. Stay tuned!

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