Don’t Let The Heat Beat Your Tires; Tire Industry Wants Motorists to Be Tire Smart to Maximize Safety, Fuel Efficiency and Tire Life

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 10 -- A national tire industry organization will be in San Antonio today to help educate local drivers about tire care and safety. Eighty-five percent of U.S. drivers fail to properly maintain their tires, according to research by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under inflated tires contribute to 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year. Other government research shows that about one in four passenger cars and nearly one in three light trucks have at least one significantly under inflated tire.

Drivers can take advantage of a free tire care clinic at the Discount Tire Company store located at 1475 Austin Highway in San Antonio from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The tire care clinic will offer motorists a free inflation pressure and tread depth check plus an opportunity to learn proper tire care and maintenance. Motorists who visit the clinic will get a free tire gauge and tire care information.

“RMA research shows drivers do not know enough about proper tire care,” said Dan Zielinski, RMA vice president. “This free tire care event will help San Antonio drivers become more aware of the importance of checking their tires.”

Other findings from RMA include:

-- Each month, three out of four drivers wash their cars while only one out of seven correctly checks their tire pressure.

-- More than half of Texans -- 54 percent -- wrongly believe that the correct inflation pressure is printed on the tire sidewall.

-- 32 percent of drivers in Texas wrongly believe that the best time to check their tires is when they are warm after being driven for at least a few miles.

-- Nearly 1/3 of drivers wrongly believe that if they are taking a trip with a fully loaded vehicle that they are better off if their tires are a little bit under inflated.

Zielinski also noted that high gasoline costs can be reduced with properly inflated tires. “Keeping tires properly inflated improves gas mileage and saves money,” he said. “Tire maintenance also helps get the longest possible life from tires.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drivers can improve their gas mileage by about 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure.

“We welcome all drivers to come and learn firsthand about proper tire care,” said Bryan Clark, Discount Tire Company store manager. “Motorists who stop by will be able to quickly have their tire pressure checked and even learn how to do this simple but essential task themselves. Using RMA’s simple tire care tips, consumers can maximize their vehicle safety, achieve better fuel economy and get the most wear from their tires.”

RMA launched the Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART program in 2001. The educational program aims to teach drivers about the importance of taking simple care and maintenance steps to keep tires safe and performing at optimal levels. Nationwide, more than 12,000 tire dealers, automobile and safety organizations across the country distribute RMA’s tire safety information to consumers. For additional tire safety tips or to learn more about the Be Tire Smart program, visit http://www.betiresmart.org

---

Founded in 1915, the Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association of the rubber products industry. Its membership includes more than 100 member companies that manufacture tires and other rubber products. Members include Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., Continental Tire North America, Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Michelin North America, Pirelli North America, Inc. and Yokohama Tire Corporation. All RMA press releases are available at http://www.rma.org.

Contact Information

Dan Zielinski

Media Contact

Rubber Manufacturers Association

Contact via E-mail