RMA Reminds Drivers to 'Be Tire Smart'

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- As families gather to celebrate fireworks, family and fun this Fourth of July holiday, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) urges drivers to be safe by checking their tires before they hit the road for their backyard barbecues and beach trips. Of the estimated 36 million vacationers this holiday, some 32 million are expected to travel by motor vehicle, according to AAA -- a slight increase from last year. With so many drivers on the road, millions of people could be driving with underinflated or overloaded tires, which puts themselves and others in danger.

In a public opinion study conducted by RMA this year, one in three drivers does not check the tire pressure before taking a long trip with a fully loaded vehicle. RMA is offering the following recommendations for safer summer road trips:

Be Cool Under Pressure

Check the pressure of your tires once a month, and before every long trip. The correct inflation pressure for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found in the owner's manual, on the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door or fuel door -- not on the tire. Make sure the tires are cool when you check them by inspecting them before you get in the car to drive.

Take a Load Off

Before you fill the trunk or roof rack, check out the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for load requirements located on the placard on the doorpost or in the owner's manual. Overloading your vehicle creates excessive heat inside your tires, which can lead to tire failure. If you're planning to drive long distances with a loaded vehicle, have the alignment and rotation checked, as tires and wheels that are out of balance can cause uneven wear or vehicle problems.

Don't Let Your Tread Wear You Down

A simple way to check tire tread is to place a penny into a tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, you should buy a new tire. Also, visibly check the tread grooves and sidewalls of your tires to make sure that they're free of foreign objects, gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.

Founded in 1915, the Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association of the rubber industry. Its membership includes more than 100 member companies that manufacture tires and other rubber products. All RMA press releases are available at http://www.rma.org .