Checking Your Tire Pressure is as Easy as Pumping Gas: Proper tire maintenance is a simple and quick monthly activity

SAN FRANCISCO--Today the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) launched National Tire Safety Week to reminder drivers of the importance of simple tire maintenance.

"Maximizing tire performance and safety depends on regular maintenance," said Daniel Zielinski, RMA Senior Vice President, Public Affairs. "By checking tire pressure monthly during a stop for gas--or other routine maintenance--drivers can greatly impact tire life, gas mileage, and passenger safety."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), low tire pressure-related crashes are to blame for 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries every year.

These alarming statistics are a critical reason why RMA is sponsoring the annual National Tire Safety Week, which runs April 20-26, in partnership with CIWMB.

"There is a real need to educate drivers about tire maintenance in order to increase vehicle safety and tire performance, as well as to extend the life of the tires and save money on gas," explains Margo Reid Brown, CIWMB Board Chair. "California currently generates 42 million scrap tires annually which have significant impacts on our environment."

At today’s event, motorists at the Chevron service station at 3675 Geary Blvd. (Geary/Arguello) in San Francisco received "report cards" on their tire air pressure and tread depth. Specialists from AAA of Northern California demonstrated how easy it is to check your tire pressure.

In previous research by the CIWMB, consumers indicated awareness of the need to check tire pressure, yet fewer than half reporting checking their tire inflation regularly, citing a lack of time to do so. Today’s event showed drivers that they can spend 3-5 minutes checking tire air pressure during a routine stop for gas, ensuring vehicle safety and better fuel economy.

According to the California Air Resources Board, tires lose one PSI of tire pressure per month, which eventually decreases vehicle fuel efficiency by more than one-third.

With an estimated 74 percent of vehicles having at least one under-inflated tire, and 27 percent having at least one tire averaging 6.8 PSI below recommended proper tire pressure levels, the loss of fuel efficiency is enormous. It is estimated that Californians would save 47.9 million gallons of fuel annually if tires are properly inflated.

During the event RMA urged motorists to follow several maintenance tips, including:

• Measure tire pressure monthly using a good quality tire gauge. A visual inspection is not sufficient to detect under- or over-inflated tire problems.
• Have tires aligned regularly and check owner’s manual for specific recommendations. A pulling or vibration sensation means that alignment should be checked sooner.
• Rotate tires regularly, usually every 5,000-8,000 miles.
• Monitor tread wear and replace tires when tire tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. Proper tire tread prevents skidding and hydroplaning.
• Tires should be balanced periodically or when drivers feel a vibration.
• Conduct a visual check for embedded stones, glass and other foreign objects that could work their way into the tire and cause a leak.

More than 18,000 tire dealers, auto dealers, AAA clubs and others throughout the country will make RMA tire care information brochures available to consumers during National Tire Safety Week. Additionally, most tire retail locations provide free tire pressure services to motorists throughout the year. In Northern California, Les Schwab Tires Centers has partnered with CIWMB and RMA to advertise free tire safety checks to all drivers during the entire month of April.

For information about National Tire Safety Week or RMA’s "Be Tire Smart" program visit: www.betiresmart.org.

About RMA

The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include more than 80 companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods, and other finished rubber products. RMA’s Be Tire Smart program is funded by its manufacturer members: Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., Continental Tire North America, Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Michelin North America, Pirelli North America, Inc., Toyo Tire North America and Yokohama Tire Corporation.

About CIWMB

CIWMB is conducting a two-year campaign on proper tire maintenance in an effort to help motorists be safe, save money and extend the life of tires as well as promote the purchase of tire-derived products and other recycled materials.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

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