Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Announces Withdrawal of Its Fix-A-Flat(R)
18 February 1999
Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Announces Withdrawal of Its Fix-A-Flat(R) Tire Inflator ProductsHOUSTON, Feb. 18 -- Pennzoil-Quaker State Company announced today that it is voluntarily withdrawing all of its Fix-A-Flat(R) tire inflator products. The company is immediately withdrawing the products because it recently learned of a tire safety issue involving practices that are inconsistent with safe automotive tire repair procedures and contrary to explicit warnings on each Fix-A-Flat(R) automotive tire inflator product label. Reformulated Fix-A-Flat(R) tire inflator products will be on store shelves nationwide within a few weeks. In rare instances, an explosion may occur if a tire repaired with the Fix-A-Flat(R) tire inflator product is subjected to extreme heat by welding on, or applying a flame to, the wheel rim with the tire still on the rim. The products included in this voluntary withdrawal are: Fix-A-Flat(R) cone-top cans; Fix-A-Flat(R) cans; Super Fix-A-Flat(R) cans, and Big Wheel(TM) Fix-A-Flat(R) cans. CONSUMER INSTRUCTIONS: -- Consumers who have purchased Fix-A-Flat(R) tire inflator products should call the Fix-A-Flat(R) toll-free Consumer Products Information Line to return old products to Pennzoil-Quaker State Company and to receive reformulated products at no cost. The toll-free number, 800-532-5000, operates 24 hours each day, seven days a week. -- Consumers should not use or throw away old Fix-A-Flat(R) tire inflator products. The company has contacted its retailers and distributors to inform them of the voluntary product withdrawal, ask for their assistance in removing Fix-A-Flat(R) tire inflator products from their retail outlets and warehouses, and return of all products to the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company. Pennzoil-Quaker State Company has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about this matter. Pennzoil-Quaker State Company is committed to the highest quality and safety standards for all of its products. Protecting the safety and health of consumers, customers, employees and the community is fundamental to the way the company conducts its business. TRADE INSTRUCTIONS: It is important for automotive tire repair and maintenance technicians and consumers to remember to consistently practice commonly accepted safety procedures in repairing a tire. -- Pennzoil-Quaker State Company reminds automotive tire repair and maintenance technicians and consumers of commonly accepted safety procedures to follow in repairing a tire regardless of whether a tire inflator product is used: -- Work only in an open, well-ventilated area. -- Do not smoke. -- Fully deflate the tire. If you are uncertain about the presence in the tire of the contents of a tire inflator product, you should assume one may be present. -- Never weld on a rim without first removing the tire from the rim. -- Do not expose the tire to extreme heat, flames or sparks whether on the wheel rim or not. -- Pennzoil-Quaker State Company is distributing guidelines for safe tire repair practices, at no charge, to retailers and automotive repair companies. -- The company also is reminding employees in its franchised and licensed retail operations of safe tire repair practices. This press release is also available on the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company website at: http://www.pennzoilquakerstate.com.