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A Reminder for Summertime Drivers: Vehicle Safety Starts from the Ground Up

May 26, 2016

2016 National Tire Safety Week Focuses on the Importance of Regular Tire Maintenance

Millions of American drivers hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend for the start of the summer driving season are not “tire smart” and are at higher risk of a tire problem due to poor maintenance.

More than 8 in 10 motorists do not know how to properly check tire pressure, according to a survey by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), the national trade association for tire manufacturers. May 29-June 4 is National Tire Safety Week, an USTMA initiative to raise awareness about the importance of proper tire care.

“Safety is our industry’s top priority,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA President and CEO. “Today’s tires are a high-tech marvel of engineering innovation that can last for tens of thousands of miles and contribute to better fuel economy but they need a few minutes of basic care each month to perform at their peak.”

AAA estimates that more than 30 million drivers are expected to travel at least 50 miles by car over the Memorial Day weekend. Approximately 14 percent of AAA’s roadside assistance calls during the weekend are expected to be tire-related.

USTMA wants motorists to start a tire care habit that includes checking tire pressure monthly and before long trips, and measuring and inspecting tread.

To properly check tire pressure, USTMA says to use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure which can be found on the driver’s door post or in the owner’s manual, check tire pressure before driving and use a tire gauge. Drivers should also inspect tire tread for punctures or other damage and measure tread depth using the “penny test.”

USTMA research shows that drivers need to pay more attention to their tires.

  • 4 out of 5 drivers don’t know how to properly check tire pressure.
  • One half of drivers wrongly believe that the correct pressure is listed on the tire.
  • 2 out of 3 drivers do not check the tire pressure in their spare tire.
  • 1 in 3 drivers do not know how to tell if their tires are worn out.

National Tire Safety Week is a USTMA initiative to bring awareness to motorists about proper tire maintenance. This effort is supported by USTMA members: Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc., Michelin North America, Inc., Pirelli Tire North America, Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc., Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. and Yokohama Tire Corporation.

For more information, visit www.betiresmart.org.

About USTMA

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 11 member companies operate 56 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 16 states. U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion and is responsible for more than 291,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution and retailing. The industry supports more than 510,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 801,000 jobs nationwide. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science based public policy advocacy. Our member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.USTires.org and follow us on Twitter @USTires.