Tire Rack Inc. has introduced a safety campaign to encourage drivers of all ages to keep roads and highways safe for summer travel. Michelin brand tires are features in the campaign, which includes video and online content, as well as social media outreach.
“To be truly safe on the road, drivers need more than functioning brakes and properly worn seatbelts,” says Matt Edmonds, vice president of Tire Rack. “Proper tire maintenance can help drivers prevent accidents before they even occur. Whether it’s during National Tire Safety Week or before a vacation later this summer, drivers should remain vigilant regarding their tires’ condition to ensure a safe trip.”
National Tire Safety Week kicked off on Sunday, May 29, and runs through Saturday, June 4. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the most harmful crashes involving tire-related issues occur during the summer months of June, July and August.
The campaign urges drivers to be tire smart and play a P.A.R.T. in National Tire Safety Week with expert tips from Tire Rack:
Pressure: As we our vehicles for summer trips with the precious ”cargo” that is our loved ones, the air pressure in our tires needs to be correct to properly carry that load as well as allow our tires to perform safely. After the cold months of winter, your tires will have naturally lost one to two psi each month just from the natural “leaking” of air from your tires, like air leaks from a balloon over time. Consult your vehicle’s tire information placard and use a tire pressure gauge to ensure that your tires are properly inflated.
Alignment: Incorrect wheel alignment will result in more rapid tire wear and unusual wear patterns. Therefore, alignment should be checked whenever new tires or suspension components are installed, and after the vehicle has encountered a major road hazard or curb.
Rotation: Tire rotation can preserve balanced handling and traction, even out tire wear and provide performance enhancements. Additionally, most tire warranties require tire rotations to keep the warranty valid. Tire Rack recommends tire rotations at every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, even if the tires don’t show signs of wear.
Tread: One of the most visible indicators of tire wear is tread depth. As tread depth decreases, tires lose their ability to effectively grip the surface of the road, particularly if wet conditions are a concern. Tire Rack recommends measuring tread depth with a quarter. Place a quarter into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Washington's head is always covered by the tread, 4/32nds deep, then your tires should provide sufficient traction, even on wet roadways.
For more information about tire safety, visit www.tirerack.com/safety and follow along with Tire Rack on Facebook and Twitter.
