Motorists Encouraged to 'Be Tire Smart' During National Tire Safety Week

WASHINGTON, June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An alarming amount of Phoenix motorists continue to ignore a simple step that can save money, save gas and save lives: checking tire pressure.

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A tire pressure survey sponsored by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) found that about 54% of Phoenix surveyed passenger vehicles had at least one under inflated tire. More alarming is that nearly one in five vehicles in Phoenix had at least one significantly under inflated tire that can compromise safety and waste gas.

RMA is spearheading its eighth annual National Tire Safety Week June 7-13 to help educate motorists about the importance of proper tire care. To drive home the point of Americans' lack of tire smarts, RMA worked with Discount Tire Company to collect actual tire pressure measurements from more than four hundred twenty-nine vehicles.

"Few actions that are so simple and quick to do have such striking benefits," said Charles A. Cannon, RMA president and CEO. "Checking tire pressure each month will put money in consumers' pockets, reduce national fuel consumption, help tires last longer and save lives."

"Checking tire pressure is simple and takes only five minutes," said Mark Rogers, Regional Vice President with Discount Tire Company. "If Phoenix motorists are unsure how to properly check their tires, they can come to Discount Tire any time for a free tire pressure check."

Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3.3 percent and save $.06 a gallon at the pump, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Approximately 1.2 billion gallons of fuel are wasted each year by U.S. motorists driving on under inflated tires.

Under inflated tires also pose a safety risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

Last summer, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, AAA Arizona responded to 18,945 calls for tire service in the state.

"Unfortunately, many motorists do not realize the significant role that tires play in keeping them safe," said Don Nunnari, vice president of membership products and services for AAA Arizona. "AAA Arizona encourages motorists to become informed about proper tire care during National Tire Safety Week. In addition, we encourage all motorists to follow their manufacturer's recommendation for tire rotation and to check their tire tread and inflation at least once per month."

Among the RMA tire pressure survey in Phoenix findings include:

• Only 4% of vehicles had four properly inflated tires.
• 54% of vehicles had at least one under inflated tire.
• 21% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 8 pounds per square inch (psi).
• 31% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 6 psi.
• 46% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 4 psi.

Although all new vehicles are now equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems, these systems issue a low pressure warning only after tire pressure drops 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure. In many cases, an 8 psi loss of pressure would not trigger a warning light and would cause a loss of fuel economy and could lead to a vehicle safety issue.

To properly check tire pressure, motorists should check once each month; check tires when cold -- before the vehicle is driven and; use the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure found on a label located on the driver's door or door post or check the owner's manual.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include more than 80 companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods, and other finished rubber products. All RMA press releases are available at www.rma.org.

SOURCE Rubber Manufacturers Association

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