Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is teaming up with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to share tire safety information with drivers throughout National Tire Safety Week, May 24-30, 2015.
The Know B4 U Go campaign includes a video, available here, hosted by Cooper-sponsored professional driver Arie Luyendyk Jr., who provides a brief tutorial on how consumers can properly check tire pressure and tread wear and assess the general condition of their tires before hitting the road this travel season. Luyendyk has made his mark at the Indy 500 and other premier venues and now races on Cooper tires in the off-road TORC series. The tire safety video focuses on three key aspects:
- Tire pressure: Drivers are advised to check their tire pressure when tires are cool—at least three hours after the last time a vehicle has been driven—and to be sure they know the proper tire pressure for their vehicle. The correct tire pressure is not shown on the tire, but is listed in the car’s owner’s manual, on the door jamb, or the glove box door. In the video, Luyendyk demonstrates how to use a tire pressure gauge to assure tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires lead to better control of the vehicle, improved fuel consumption and help avoid uneven tread wear.
- Tread depth: Proper tread depth helps tires maintain traction, improve handling, and prevent hydroplaning on wet roads. In the video, drivers are shown how to assess their tire’s tread depth using a common U.S. penny.
- Tire condition: It’s important that tires are routinely checked for cuts, cracks, splits, punctures and bulges, which could cause tire failure. Luyendyk advises drivers to check the condition of their tires before every lengthy road trip and at least monthly.
“I’m all about pushing the upward limits of speed in racing while Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers are all about staying within speed limits on the highway," says Lyuendyk. "That certainly makes us an interesting combination for the Know B4 U Go campaign.
“What brings us together from our two different worlds is a commitment to keeping drivers safe on the road. Tires are a big part the message. After all, tires are the only thing between a driver’s vehicle and the road, so it’s critical that they are properly maintained. I’m honored to team with Cooper as well as ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to put a focus on tire safety during the height of the travel season."
“We may view miles per hour from a completely different vantage point, but we are united when it comes to safety,” says Lt. Craig Cvetan, spokesperson for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “We are pleased to team up with Cooper Tire and Arie Luyendyk Jr. to spread this important information on tire safety. Safety should be the top priority when Ohioans and their families take to the road because trips should not be spoiled by an incident that could have been prevented through proper vehicle maintenance, such as a tire check.”
In addition to the video, drivers visiting Ohio’s Tourist Information Centers located within highway rest areas across the state can pick up a handy guide that explains how to check tire pressure and tread wear and assess the general condition of their tires. The guide is sized for glove boxes so drivers can keep the information close during the summer road trip season.
Social media will be another major outreach tool in the campaign and drivers should watch for information and special giveaways on Cooper’s Facebook and Twitter channels at www.facebook.com/coopertire and www.twitter.com/coopertire using #CooperKnowB4UGo. In addition, drivers should check for information on https://www.facebook.com/OhioDepartmentOfTransportation and https://twitter.com/ODOT_Statewide, as well as https://www.facebook.com/OhioStateHighwayPatrol and https://twitter.com/OSHP.
