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Summer Is Coming, And So Is National Tire Safety Week
Millions of North Americans hit the highways during the summer months and that makes it a great time to know tire and vehicle safety
. The Rubber Manufacturers Association's (RMA) has an annual National Tire Safety Week in June where drivers can learn about tire and vehicle safety in this consumer education program.The annual event is an initiative of the RMA's "Be Tire Smart - Play Your PART" program, 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. RMA is the national trade association for tire manufacturers.
A recent survey sponsored by the RMA of about 5,500 vehicles found that only one-in-ten vehicles had four properly inflated tires and almost half of the vehicles on the roads had at least one under inflated tire.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 600 deaths and 33,000 injuries per year are due to under inflated tires. In addition to the safety issues, improperly inflated tires also lower the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.
National Tire Safety Week is an initiative backed by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and its members that aims to educate consumers nationwide about essential tire safety maintenance practices. Among the tire care tips emphasized during the week:
Check Tire Pressure
Proper inflation is essential for the performance and longevity of the tire. Under-inflated 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 car maker'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 the head facing down into your tires' shallowest groove and you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head, it's time to replace your tires.
Other important tips to keep you safe as you hit the highways and byways this summer include always buckle your seatbelt. Always practice safe driving habits such as:
*Obeying posted speed limits
*Avoiding pot holes and objects on the road
*Avoiding fast starts, stops and turns
*Do not run over curbs or hit your sidewalls against the curb when parking
*Do not overload your vehicle
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) can help drivers detect loss of tire pressure. And inflating your tires with nitrogen tire inflation may aid in tire pressure retention as it does not seep through a tire as quickly as compressed air. Overall, proper tire care and safety is simple and easy and getting in the habit of checking your tires (including the spare) and following these tips can help you avoid problems on the road.
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