Pep Boys launches cyberspace program to promote awareness of National Tire Safety Week

Recognizing that under-inflated tires are a leading cause of dangerous tire blowouts, which can result in serious wrecks, Pep Boys partnered with the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) to promote consumer tire safety education during National Tire Safety Week.

The company is venturing into the viral marketplace to create awareness about tire safety on Facebook. Internet surfers can join the “Pep Boys Tire Safety Gurus” group to share their experiences with participating auto enthusiasts and each other. Pep Boys is offering a special tire safety e-badge that bloggers can post on their sites.

Also, throughout the weeklong event the company aided motorists to ensure that their tires are in safe, proper condition by offering free tire air pressure checks and distributing tire safety materials.

“Although Pep Boys emphasizes tire safety year-round, participating in a week of awareness promotions that highlight the importance of proper pressure, alignment, rotation and tread allows us to remind our customers of our commitment to providing high-quality tire care, safety and maintenance services,” says Pep Boys’ Executive Vice President and COO Mike Odell.

“The important point to remember is that checking tire air pressure only takes about five minutes, but those five minutes can be life-saving and economical. We are proud to have ASE-certified service experts available in our shops seven days and six nights a week to advise and help educate customers about tire safety practices related to the many lines of name-brand and house-brand tires our service centers carry,” Odell adds.

“Pep Boys continues to be a strong and active partner in tire safety education, which significantly advances our awareness efforts,” notes Dan Zielinski, the RMA’s senior vice president of public affairs. “With millions of drivers on the road and nearly 3 trillion vehicle miles traveled each year in America, tire safety information is a critical step in helping drivers prevent accidents and injuries, maintain their vehicles properly, conserve fuel and, in turn, help the environment.”

Pep Boys and the RMA recommend that motorists get into the habit of taking five minutes every month to check their tires, including the spare. Here are some PART (Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread) guidelines that motorists are encouraged to follow:

Pressure
Under-inflation can lead to tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear and possible loss of vehicle control or accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and still not appear to be flat. The best way to check tire pressure is with a properly working analog or digital tire gauge, which Pep Boys sells at its 560-plus stores. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage up to 3.3 percent.

Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw the front end out of alignment and damage the tires. Have a tire dealer check periodically to ensure proper alignment.

Rotation
Regularly rotating a vehicle’s tires will help achieve more uniform wear. Unless the owner’s manual has a specific recommendation, a good guideline for tire rotation is about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Tread
Advanced or unusual wear can reduce the ability of a tire to grip the road. Visually check tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.

For more information, visit www.pepboys.com.