Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli are among the various tire makers taking an active role in the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) National Tire Safety Week, which runs through June 13.
Now in its eighth year, the annual event is part of the organization’s “Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART” campaign, a year-round effort designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition.
Not only do most drivers ignore their tires, a lot of motorists simply don’t know how to correctly care for them – despite ranking the tires as the second-most important safety feature in their vehicles next to brakes; only a third of consumers properly check their tire inflation pressure, according to recent RMA research.
Improper air pressure in tires can lead to a multitude of problems, ranging from uneven and accelerated tire wear to structural tire damage. An underinflated tire also has the potential to affect tire performance, including making a vehicle less fuel-efficient. With summer temperatures rising and vacation travel in full swing, heightened attention should be given to the issue, notes Goodyear brand director Joey Viselli.
“Checking tires for proper inflation and tread condition is one of the most critical -- and easiest -- maintenance procedures for a consumer,” Viselli points out. “It doesn’t take much time or sophisticated equipment. Drivers can check their tires by themselves, or any of our retail outlets would be happy to provide the service.”
Company-owned centers and participating independent dealers are offering a service known as “Free Air,” in which drivers can stop in without an appointment for a free tire check. This includes an inspection of the tread condition and tire inflation, with air added at no charge if the inflation level is low.
Goodyear outlets will be distributing Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART consumer booklets that stress the importance of inflation pressure, wheel alignment, tire rotation and visual checks of a tire’s tread.
The company’s blimps continue to spread the tire care message while in flight, giving viewers on the ground a heads-up about the importance of the issue.
Michelin is holding a sale this week on its Energy Saver A/S tire, promoting its fuel efficiency based on combining a lower rolling resistance with higher levels of wet braking and all season performance. It is available in sizes P215/60R16, P195/65R15, P195/60R15 and P185/65R15.
“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,” Pirelli CEO and Chairman Hugh Pace says.
Safety tips include:
Check Tire Pressure
Proper inflation is essential for the performance and longevity of the tire. Underinflated tires will make your tire wear unevenly and negatively impact performance. In addition, keeping your tire pressure at the recommended level can boost fuel efficiency by one mile per gallon. Before any long trip and once a month, properly check the pressure of each tire with a tire gauge. The carmaker’s recommended tire pressure is on the tire placard and can be found near the driver’s door jamb, on the glove compartment door or in the owner’s manual. Do not inflate tires to the maximum pressure molded onto the tire’s sidewall, with the exception of mini-spares.
Rotate Tires Regularly
Regular rotation helps extend the life of your tires, saving time and money in the long run. For rotation, each tire and wheel is removed from your vehicle and moved to a different position. This ensures that all of the tires wear evenly and last longer. If no period is specified in your vehicle owner’s manual, tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. If you have a full-size spare, it should be included in the rotation process.
Keep Proper Vehicle Alignment
Alignment generally refers to the adjustment of a vehicle’s front and rear suspension parts. Proper alignment helps ensure that your vehicle handles correctly and will help increase the life and performance of your tires.
Keep Tires Balanced
Balancing compensates for the weight of the tire and wheel assembly after the tire is mounted. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. This can cause uneven tread wear and vibration, plus increase the stress on the front-end system, causing them to wear prematurely.
Check Tire Tread Depth and Replace Worn Tires
In most states, the minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. If you place a penny with the top of Abraham Lincoln facing down into your tires’ shallowest groove and you can see the top of the president’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.
For more information, visit www.rma.org, www.michelinman.com and www.goodyeartires.com.
