Have you ever wanted to know a little bit more about what's under the hood of your vehicle? The U of A System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service has teamed up with local mechanics to offer workshops on basic car maintenance.

The technicians of University Auto and Tire and Grease Pig Lube and Tune have invited the public to learn more about their cars. These workshops will be held in the shop, so participants can see examples of how to do basic car maintenance and check for important safety concerns. According to Will Helton, owner of the full service and quick lube businesses, "It is good for people to know about their vehicles and how to keep them running properly, not only for their wallet but for the environment."

Topics covered:

• Common maintenance tasks and schedule
• Common auto failures and costs
• What's under your hood? (fluids, filters, belts)
• Auto safety essentials
• Simple DIY car care (checking fluids, tire pressure, changing a tire)
• How car care impacts urban waterways

So how does your car impact water quality? Ever wonder what happens to tire tread? What about the oil or other fluids that may be leaking from your car? While one vehicle may not have a large impact on waterways, Benton and Washinton counties have over 500,000 registered vehicles, not to mention the number that pass through the area on highways. That number of cars creates the potential for pollutants to enter our streams through the storm drain system from our streets to our creeks. These clinics will discuss more how these potential pollutants enter our streams and how routine maintenance coupled with a few tips can minimize your car's potential to pollute water.

Participants will gain a better understanding of their vehicle, as well as free swag including $20 coupon for your next oil change, a voucher for a free diagnostic screening for leaking vehicles, a free tire gauge and an entry to win one of five free oil changes (winners selected after all workshops in November).

Workshops will be held on two more Saturdays, both from noon until 2 p.m.: Sept. 21 and Oct. 12 at University Auto and Tire, 614 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville.

The workshops are free to attend, but registration is required. Reserve your spot now by going to the NWA Stormwater Education website at www.KnowtheFlowNWA.com. For more information, contact Jane Maginot at 479-444-1755, or by email at jmaginot@uada.edu.

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About the NWA Stormwater Education Program: When it rains, snows or sleets, where does that water go? Some soaks into the ground, and some will evaporate. But on hard surfaces like streets, driveways, sidewalks, rooftops and parking lots, the water will flow into nearby storm drains or ditches that flow directly to creeks. This is called stormwater runoff, and this water acts like a magnet, picking up anything that may be along its path.

Seventeen Northwest Arkansas cities, Benton and Washington counties, and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville partner with the U of A System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and the NWA Regional Planning Commission on a regional approach to stormwater management.

Both the EPA and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality have recognized the collaborative NWA Urban Stormwater Education Program as an innovative and effective pollution prevention education effort to help protect the region's water resources. 

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.