Attorney General Philip McLaughlin along with the Bridgestone/Firestone multistate working group consisting of 49 states and territories want to alert consumers with tires listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Consumer Advisory tire list dated September 1, 2000 of their options. You can determine if you have tires covered by the consumer advisory by going to the NHTSA home page. On the home page, there is a complete list of consumer advisory tires.

FREE REPLACEMENT TIRES VIA BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE AUTHORIZED DEALERS

If a consumer confirms they have tires listed on the consumer advisory, the states in the working group want to encourage consumers to take action and get the tires replaced as soon as possible. Consumers have a number of options. First of all, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. will replace free of charge all consumer advisory tires if the tires are taken to a Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. authorized dealer. You can locate an authorized dealer by going to the store locator section of the Bridgestone/Firestone web page. Your tires will be replaced regardless of use and condition. They will be replaced without a pro rata payment. The consumer advisory tires can be replaced even if they are not currently on a vehicle.

Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. will replace consumer advisory tires for individuals or companies. If you previously had a road hazard warranty or insurance, Bridgestone/Firestone will replace that warranty free of charge when the replacement tire is installed. You will not be charged for mounting, balancing, valve stem, sales tax or disposal fees for the replacement of consumer advisory tires at the Bridgestone/Firestone authorized dealer. Bridgestone/Firestone will select the brand and type of tires used as a replacement under this option. Therefore, under this option, the replacement of the tire should be absolutely free to the consumer.

$140.00 REIMBURSEMENT OPTION FOR COMPETITORS' TIRES

If a consumer does not want to go to an authorized Bridgestone/Firestone dealer for replacement tires or prefers to replace the consumer advisory tires with their choice of competitor's tires, Bridgestone/Firestone will reimburse the consumer up to $140.00 per tire for any tire purchased to replace a tire that is listed on the consumer advisory. The $140.00 reimbursement includes mounting, balancing, valve stem, sales tax and tire disposal fees. Again, the consumer can elect the reimbursement option regardless of the use or condition of the tire. If the consumer previously had a road hazard warranty, Bridgestone/Firestone will pay to replace the warranty on the new tires. In order to be eligible for the reimbursement program, the consumer must return the consumer advisory tires to an authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailer where appropriate forms to apply for reimbursement will be provided. A consumer will also need an original receipt for the tires the consumer purchased to replace the consumer advisory tires to attach to the reimbursement form. It will most likely take 4-6 weeks for a consumer to receive the reimbursement from Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.

RECALLED TIRES

The recalled tires continue to be subject to free replacement by a Bridgestone/Firestone dealer or for reimbursement of up to $100 when a competitor's tires are purchased. The recalled tires are Radical ATX and Radical ATX II tires, size P235/75R15 and Wilderness AT tires, size P235/75R15 which are imprinted with "VD" on the inside or outside tire wall.

RELEASE LANGUAGE

At the request of the Attorneys General, Bridgestone/Firestone has removed any release language from reimbursement forms. Basically, consumers do not have to waive legal rights they may have to take advantage of any of the Bridgestone/Firestone tire replacement program. Additionally, at the request of the Attorneys General, Bridgestone/Firestone has agreed not to enforce any "releases" previously signed by consumers.

Attorney General McLaughlin said, "I want to urge all consumers to replace any consumer advisory tires as soon as possible. You can either get free replacements at a Bridgestone dealer or obtain reimbursement up to $140.00 per tire if you go to a competitor to have your tires replaced."

151104