ADVISORY/Auto Club of Southern California's 'Great Battery Roundup'.

Photo Editors/News Editors/Automotive Writers

ADVISORY...for April 20 (Tuesday)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Motorists Can Drop off Batteries Daily April 17-24 at Auto Club

Collection Locations to Aid 2003 Cedar Fire Burn Area in Mission

Trails Regional Park

What:       "The Great Battery Roundup(R)" is a campaign to collect
            vehicle, motorcycle and boat batteries for recycling.
            Batteries will be collected 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from
            April 17-24 at 93 Auto Club-designated collection sites
            throughout the Southland. For every battery collected, the
            AAA Battery Service will donate $1.50 for fire recovery
            efforts in San Diego. The Auto Club selected Mission
            Trails Regional Park to receive battery donation funds for
            restoration work.

Who:        The Auto Club and motorists working together to remove an
            environmental and safety hazard from our communities. The
            Auto Club's goal is to collect 5,000 vehicle, motorcycle
            and boat batteries from Southern California garages,
            carports, yards, storage units and tool sheds. The effort
            also coincides with Earth Day.

Featuring:  News conference with Auto Club's Certified Master Mechanic
            Rob Wade at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center
            about campaign and how to safely remove a battery for
            "round up." Afterward, photo opportunity of volunteers
            planting trees, native plants and rebuilding a fence.
            (Materials donated from Great Battery Roundup funds.)

Why:        While 95 percent of vehicle battery lead is recycled, more
            than 5 million stray batteries were not returned to
            industry recycling plants last year. Dead batteries can
            discharge lead and sulfuric acid into the environment,
            creating a health hazard.

When:       10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20. Sturdy shoes required.

Where:      Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center.
            619-668-3276. A list of 93 drop-off locations, including
            San Diego and surrounding areas, can be found at
            www.aaa-calif.com.