BFRC Helps Drivers Get The Lead Out.

New Environmental Program Shifts to Steel Wheel Weights Instead of Lead

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. -- Beginning in 2008, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) will make steel wheel balance weights available to customers, replacing millions of lead wheel weights each year with more ecologically sensitive steel weights.

Wheel weights are applied onto the wheels of vehicles when tires are installed to help the wheels balance properly and run smoothly. The weights can fall off and may get thrown onto the edges of roadways, possibly contaminating soil or water.

Customers who visit Firestone Complete Auto Care[TM], Tires Plus[TM], ExpertTire[TM] or Wheel Works[TM] service centers will have the new steel wheel weights installed when they buy new tires or have their existing tires balanced.

"We implemented this innovative plan because we believe that using steel wheel weights will have a positive environmental impact," said BFRC Environmental Manager John Sheerin. "We are hopeful that others in the automotive repair industry will follow suit and join BFRC in promoting the use of steel wheel weights."

BFRC has chosen to voluntarily install non-toxic steel wheel weights instead of lead weights. The company is the first of the major chains in the automotive repair industry to announce they are moving to steel wheel weights.

"Our effort to voluntarily switch to steel wheel weights is a great example of the environmental dedication of BFRC and our parent company, Bridgestone Americas," Sheerin added. "We are doing our part to provide environmentally friendly materials whenever possible, as well as recycling the fluids and parts removed from our customers' cars during service."

Lead wheel weights removed from vehicles at BFRC service centers are collected and properly recycled. The new steel wheel weights will begin arriving in BFRC service center locations in early 2008. Used steel wheel weights are also recyclable.

About BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC:

BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., is headquartered in Bloomingdale, Ill., and operates the largest number of company-owned automotive retail generalist stores in the world -- more than 2,200 consumer and commercial vehicle service and tire locations across the United States and Canada -- including Firestone Complete Auto Care[TM], Tires Plus[TM], ExpertTire[TM], Wheel Works[TM] and GCR Tire Centers store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care[TM] operations are also part of BFRC. BFRC is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.