Some Texas Jiffy Lube Locations Ready for New Emissions Testing

HOUSTON, April 29 -- In response to the new enhanced emissions testing requirements that take effect this Wednesday (May 1), Jiffy Lube International has added the proper equipment at more than 100 of its service centers to test all vehicles impacted by this new mandate.

Beginning May 1, all vehicles registered in Harris, Dallas, Collins, Denton and Tarrant counties must pass an enhanced emissions inspection test in conjunction with an annual vehicle safety inspection. The OBDII (On-Board Diagnostics) test is applicable for most 1996 and newer vehicles while most older vehicles will need to undergo the ASM2 (Acceleration Simulation Mode) test.

A total of 103 Jiffy Lube service centers -- 31 in the Houston area and 72 in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area -- will offer either emissions test along with the safety inspection for a fee of $39.50 beginning on May 1. To find the nearest location that is offering this service, check www.jiffylube.com.

"Our footprint in these counties makes it very convenient for busy drivers to have tests conducted at our locations," said Anne Tawney, senior vice president of marketing, Jiffy Lube International. "We're taking extra steps to make sure both our regular customers and those looking for this special service will be taken care of without delay. As with a well maintained-engine, this new regulation will help us all reduce air pollution."

The OBDII test checks the emission-related parts of the vehicle by monitoring the on-board computer that nearly all newer vehicles possess. Cars that require ASM2 will be put on a dynamometer device, which resembles a treadmill with rollers, at 25 mph. The tests measure all of the common factors in ground-level ozone formation, including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen. If a vehicle fails the emissions test, it is eligible for one free retest.

The safety inspection checks for proper operation of such functions as all lights, turning signals and wiper blades.

The Houston/Galveston and Dallas/Ft. Worth areas have been designated as "non-attainable" areas by the Environmental Protection Agency, as they do not meet the organization's air quality standards.

Jiffy Lube, located on more than 2,200 of the busiest street corners in America, is synonymous with convenient car care. The company pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 and today serves in excess of 30 million customers each year. Jiffy Lube International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company , a leading worldwide automotive consumer products company, marketing more than 1,300 products with 20 leading brands in more than 90 countries. Jiffy Lube has been the top-ranked company in the Automotive Category in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 for the last five years. The company recently earned the American Marketing Association's Crystal Award for its vehicle safety awareness program.