wo organizations, the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), are teaming up to jointly sponsor a "Guess the Pressure" contest at the Feb. 8-11 Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) Transportation Technology Exhibition in Tampa, Fla.

Visitors to the TRIB and TIA booths will have the opportunity to “thump” three retreaded tires inflated to various pressure levels; the person with the most accurate guess will win a TIA Fleet Tire Service OSHA Compliance Training Program worth

“Proper air pressure is such an important issue for all drivers, but for fleet owners and operators it translates into a real financial impact,” says TRIB Managing Director David Stevens.

“Just 20 percent underinflation will reduce tire mileage by 16 percent, increase irregular wear and cause extra heat build-up, which all add up to increased costs and more downtime,” he notes.

“The only accurate way to check pressure is with a properly calibrated air gauge, and we encourage all drivers to regularly check their air pressure,” Stevens points out.

“Improper air pressure is a major contributor to shortened tire life, and it can have dire safety consequences,” says TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield. “Thus it’s important that the ‘gospel’ of correct tire pressure be spread as wide as possible. That’s why we’re glad to be partnering with TRIB to share this important message in such a fun way.”

For additional details about the TMC event, visit www.truckline.com.

For more information, visit www.retread.org or www.tireindustry.org.