Five Minutes and a Penny Can Help Safeguard Tires; RMA Offers Safety Tips During National Car Care Month

    WASHINGTON--Oct. 1, 2002--As the fall and winter months approach, drivers around the country who are preparing their cars for colder temperatures, slick conditions and icy roads need to take special care of the their tires. Proper tire care is a critical component of car care, as tires need to be in good shape to grip the road and keep you safe. In the spirit of National Car Care Month this October, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) is offering the following fall and winter tire safety tips to help drivers "Be Tire Smart."

    -- Don't Give Your Tires the "Cold" Shoulder

    In cold weather, the air inside a tire contracts and the pressure drops -- one or two pounds for every 10-degree drop. Contrary to common belief, underinflation does not give tires better traction in the snow. RMA recommends checking 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 on either the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door or fuel door, and is listed in the owner's manual. Use a tire gauge to check your pressure. It only takes five minutes to determine if you need to add or release the air in each tire.

    -- Slippery When Wet

    Stopping on wet roads in the winter can take up to four times the normal distance. If your tread is worn, tires will tend to hydroplane, or, skim over the surface of the road with little or no traction. So check your tread. RMA offers a simple way to check your tread: the "penny test." Insert a penny upside down into the groove of the tire. If only part of Lincoln's head is covered, your tread is fine. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, you need a new tire!

    -- Stay in Control

    Let the tread on your tires maintain good traction by avoiding sudden movements of the car, accelerating gently, turning gradually, and being easy on the brakes when stopping. Spinning or sliding tires means your vehicle is out of control. If you get stuck in the snow, spinning your tires too fast can overheat them to the point where they will explode and cause injury. Instead, rock your vehicle gently back and forth to get out of the snow.

    "While National Car Care Month is an ideal opportunity for drivers to check tire pressure, this procedure should be a monthly routine," said Donald B. Shea, president and CEO of RMA. "The procedure is simple, takes only five minutes, and most tire dealerships are pleased to perform checks free of charge."
    In a public opinion study conducted by RMA, only 11 percent of drivers check tire pressure properly. RMA also found that one in three drivers does not check tire pressure before taking a long trip with a fully loaded vehicle, and one in four drivers incorrectly believes that they are better off having their tires a little bit underinflated when their vehicles are fully loaded.
    Visit www.rma.org for additional tips and information on tire safety.

    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 www.rma.org.