In August, the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) will sponsor a period of Brake Safety Awareness for the sixth consecutive year. But this year, instead of covering just one week, the highly successful annual promotion will expand to the full month of August. 
During Brake Safety Awareness Month, which will be held Aug. 1-31, more than 9,200 MAP participating facilities will offer inspections, educate vehicle owners regarding key undercar systems, provide complimentary automotive troubleshooting materials and answer consumers’ preventative maintenance questions. Consumers can look for a repair facility prominently displaying its “Motorist Assurance Program” decal near its entrance or customer waiting area, or they can find participating stores in a particular area by visiting the MAP website at www.motorist.org.
Each installment of Brake Safety Awareness Month has brought increased participation by consumers, the group says. During the 2010 event, an average facility performed repairs on more than 50 percent of the vehicles inspected.
A highlight of the 2012 Brake Safety Awareness Month is new point of sale promotional materials, including a poster that can be displayed in participating facilities and an information sheet titled “Brake Time,” which helps to educate consumers on the benefits of a brake inspection.
“For very obvious reasons, it’s important to make sure your brake system is working correctly and that all system components still have plenty of service life to ensure trouble-free performance,” said MAP President Barry Soltz. “Many vehicles require service that the average person wouldn’t be able to detect from daily driving, making it even more critical to perform periodic safety inspections. Plus, it’s important to know what to look out for when it comes to brake components and other undercar parts that periodically wear out.”
Throughout this event, MAP – the consumer outreach effort of the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA) and the nation’s leading consumer auto service non-profit organization – urges consumers to stop at any MAP participating repair shop for a brake and related undercar inspection. There’s no better way to ensure that a vehicle’s braking and other undercar systems are working properly before heading into the fall and winter driving seasons.
A non-profit program created by concerned automotive business owners, manufacturers and associations, MAP requires all of its participating facilities to adhere to a strict set of fact-based vehicle inspection and communication standards. MAP establishes criteria not only for recommending replacement of worn parts and other products, but also how these recommendations are communicated to the vehicle owner.
MAP also offers tips for choosing and working with qualified repair providers, a list of participating MAP shops in your area, a repair and replacement recommendations look-up for vehicle components and more at www.motorist.org.
