Potomac Falls Express Lube & Car Wash in Potomac Falls, Va., launched a community education series this month to celebrate Car Care Awareness Month. The Women’s Car Care Clinics are free to the public and take a hands-on approach to familiarize participants with their vehicles and provide tips to protect their cars as the winter months approach, company officials said.
The clinics also educate women motorists on environmental best practices and the benefits of choosing green products to maintain and protect their cars.
The subject matter is important to owner Pat Wirth who believes she is the only female owner of a fast lube business in Virginia. She also serves as president of the Automotive Oil Change Association.
"We are a community-centered business and it has always been our top priority to provide trusted, quality service, educate our customers and their families throughout the year in a variety of ways, and also lead within our industry, particularly to promote environmentally sustainable best practices,” Wirth said.
Wirth and her team also provide educational courses to local high school students on tips and issues regarding driving and maintaining their vehicles. Potomac Falls Express Lube & Car Wash also is serving as a collection site for Mad Hatter's Hat and Wig Donation Project during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In November, the carwash will participate in the Grace for Vets national carwash promotion, providing free carwashes to military veterans and active military personnel on Veterans Day.
Wirth opened the carwash and fast lube business in 1997. Green initiatives are an important part of Potomac Falls Express Lube & Car Wash’s service mix, with Wirth investing in PureGreen re-refined oil products as a brand option for her customers. The carwash also uses reclaimed water and Earth Ready cleaning products from Lustra.
Wirth’s commitment to environmental best practices earned her recognition from the Washington Business Journal and Washington SmartCEO magazine in their 2010 Green Business and EcoCEO awards, respectively.