Survey Shows America Needs Inflation

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A tire industry survey reveals that nearly 7 out of 10 vehicles are riding on under inflated tires.  Nearly one in five vehicles has at least one significantly under inflated tire.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), the national trade association for tire manufacturers, sponsors National Tire Safety Week (June 1-7) to focus efforts to educate U.S. drivers about the need for regular tire maintenance.  Under inflated tires waste gasoline, increase the risk of tire damage and cause premature tire wear.

"Too many motorists continue to ignore the only equipment on their vehicles that touch the road," said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president, public affairs.  "It takes just five minutes to check and properly inflate tires to optimize vehicle fuel economy and reduce the risk of tire problems."

2014 Tire Pressure Survey Key Findings:

• 9% of vehicles had four properly inflated tires
• 69% of vehicles had at least one under inflated tire
• 18% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 8 pounds per square inch (PSI)

Previous RMA research revealed how little motorists understand about basic tire care.

• 5 out of 6 motorists do not properly check tire pressure.
• 2 out of 3 motorists do not check the spare tire.
•  Half of all motorists do not know how tell if a tire is bald.

RMA urges motorists to check inflation pressure at least once a month and before long trips and, to remember to check the spare tire.  To properly check inflation pressure, an individual must use a tire gauge; use the correct inflation pressure for the vehicle and; check tires when cold, before driving.  The correct inflation pressure is found on a label on the driver's door or owner's manual, not the tire sidewall.

RMA's national education program is called "Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART." PART stands for pressure, alignment, rotation and tread – four critical elements of tire care.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S.  All RMA press releases are available at www.rma.org.

RMA analyzed tire pressure data collected from approximately 3,300 vehicles at tire retail locations in 26 U.S. cities.  The data was collected between November 2013 and February 2014.

Additional Materials: http://www.rma.org/tire-safety/media/

SOURCE Rubber Manufacturers Association