In recognition of National Tire Safety Week, Bridgestone Americas is urging drivers to spend a few minutes this week properly maintaining their tires for optimal performance, fuel economy, and to extend the wear and service life of their tires.
National Tire Safety Week, an initiative of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), is June 1-7, 2014, and focuses on educating drivers about the importance and benefits of tire maintenance.
Tire dealers can share these tips with consumer to get the most wear performance and service life out of tires:
- inflate: The most important aspect of tire maintenance is monthly checks of tire inflation pressure. Tires can lose one psi (pounds per square inch) per month under normal conditions. According to research from the RMA, while three out of four drivers wash their cars monthly, only one out of seven correctly checks tire pressure;
- rotate: Regular tire rotations also will help prevent irregular and premature wear. RMA research also shows that 40% of drivers have not rotated their tires within the typical recommended interval of 5,000 to 7,500 miles;
- evaluate: Routinely look for signs of tread wear or damage. The “penny test” is a simple way to check tread wear. With Lincoln’s head down, place a penny — head down — in the tread. If Lincoln’s head is visible, the treads are too worn and need replacing.
“Tires are the only part of a car that is in contact with the road, so it’s important for drivers to take a few extra minutes each month and check for proper inflation and condition,” said Kurt Berger, manager, Consumer Sales Engineering at Bridgestone.
“Underinflated tires can waste money at the pump, and more importantly, they can also put drivers and passengers at risk. We’ve made it easy for drivers to remember: inflate, rotate and evaluate. Those three simple steps can make a big difference in tire performance.”
