Nearly one million copies of the new Car Care Guide have been distributed to motorists, repair shops, retailers, groups, distributors and manufacturers by the Car Care Council since its introduction earlier this year.

The guide has generated widespread publicity in the consumer media. It has been featured on the CBS Early Show and WBBM-TV (CBS) in Chicago; in several daily newspapers including the Washington Post, the Detroit Free Press, the Dallas Morning News and the Tampa Tribune; on many business and financial websites, including ABCNews.com, CNN Money, Forbes, BusinessWeek and YahooNews, and on consumer automotive websites, such as Car & Driver, Popular Mechanics, Auto Spectator and Auto Channel.

“Clearly, interest in the guide from the media has exceeded our expectations, but the industry response has also been tremendous,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Program groups, retailers, distributors and repair shops throughout North America are ordering the guide to give to their DIY and DIFM consumers. We are planning a full-court press to urge all channels of the industry to order guides to give away during National Car Care Month in April.”

During the creation of the Car Care Guide, feedback from focus groups of repair shop owners, counterpersons, service advisors and technicians would find the guide helpful when discussing recommended maintenance and repair to their customers. Focus groups of consumers said they saw great value in the guide as a reference to turn to when considering service and repair from a credible third party source like the Car Care Council.

The guide is free to motorists and fits easily in a glove box. It has common preventative maintenance procedures and explains major vehicle systems and parts. It includes a list of questions to ask when maintenance is being done on a car and a checklist to remind motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service should be performed.

Bulk quantities and customization are available. Information about quantity discounts and ordering is on the council’s website at www.carcare.org.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.