A new survey conducted by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and released in conjunction with National Tire Safety Week shows that millions of drivers around the country are still failing to properly maintain their tires.
In addition to creating safety risks, such lapses are wasting gas and money, according to RMA officials.
The nationwide study found that 55 percent of vehicles had at least one underinflated tire and only one in six had four correctly inflated tires.
The RMA worked with several tire retailers to collect actual tire pressure measurements from more than 6,300 vehicles in more than 30 cities. (To see a map with results from individual markets, visit www.betiresmart.org.)
Best/Worst Performing Cities
The survey’s best performing cities, those with a higher percentage of vehicles with four properly inflated tires, were Honolulu, Baltimore, Boston, Providence and Charlotte. At the bottom of the list were Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Antonio and Birmingham.
2010 National Survey Findings:
• 17 percent of vehicles had four properly inflated tires.
• 55 percent had at least one under inflated tire.
• 15 percent had at least one tire under inflated by 8 pounds per square inch (psi).
• 20 percent had at least one tire under inflated by 6 psi.
• 31 percent had at least one tire under inflated by 4 psi.
Compared to a similar survey last year, motorists showed some improvement in tire care habits. This year almost twice as many vehicles had four properly inflated tires as had last year.
“National Tire Safety Week is the tire industry’s opportunity to focus on consumer education,” notes Charles A. Cannon, the RMA’s president and CEO.
Proper Tire Inflation Saves Gas
Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3.3 percent and save nine cents per gallon at the pump, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. About 1.2 billion gallons of fuel are wasted each year by U.S. motorists driving on underinflated tires.
Under Inflated Tires Pose Safety Risk
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that underinflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Doesn’t Replace Monthly Tire Check
Although all new vehicles are now equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), they 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 be enough to trigger a warning light and would cause a loss of fuel economy and could lead to a vehicle safety issue. Even with TPMS, motorists need to check tire pressure with a tire gauge every month.
Quick Tire Care Tips
Motorists should check tire pressure once each month; check tires when cold – before the vehicle is driven. Use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure found on a label located on the driver’s door, door post or owner’s manual.
“Checking your tires at least once a month is an easy way to improve your safety – and the safety of those on the road around you – while reducing the costs of vehicle ownership, says John Nielsen, director of repair and buying services for the American Automobile Association (AAA).
“Catching and correcting problems early, such as low tire pressure or uneven tread wear, can greatly extend the life of your tires,” he points out.
For more information, visit www.rma.org.
