America's Tire Company and Rubber Manufacturers Highlight Proper Tire Care

Motorists Unaware That Tire Maintenance Is Critical to Road Safety

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 20 -- Under-inflated tires result in 33,000 injuries and 660 fatalities each year on U.S. roads. Scottsdale-based Discount Tire, America largest independent tire store, and the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) have partnered in a nationwide effort to educate consumers about essential tire safety maintenance practices during National Tire Safety Week, which runs April 23-30.

Discount Tire will provide free tire safety kits at more than 600 retail store outlets throughout the U.S. as part of the RMA's "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" consumer education campaign. The campaign highlights Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread (PART) as the four essential areas of tire maintenance. The tire safety kits include an air pressure gauge, tread depth gauge and a RMA "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" brochure with easy-to-follow tire maintenance tips and a safety checklist for motorist to keep in their vehicles and use each month during their routine tire inspections.

Discount Tire also is lending the support of NASCAR driver Reed Sorenson to the RMA for a nationwide radio public service announcement regarding the importance of maintaining proper vehicle tire inflation pressure. Discount Tire is the primary sponsor of the No. 41 Discount Tire Dodge and Busch Series driver Reed Sorenson of the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Team.

Tom Englert, Chief Executive Officer of Discount Tire says, "Checking a vehicle's tire inflation pressure is one of the most critical things a motorist can do to improve their own road safety and that of their passengers. Improperly inflated tires often lead to decreased steering and braking control as well as excessive tire wear. Regular tire maintenance can lead to longer lasting tires, better fuel economy and safer vehicles on our roads."

Discount Tire provides free tire air pressure and tread depth checks by trained tire technicians at all of its retail stores nationwide.

Donald B. Shea, RMA President and Chief Executive Officer says, "American motorists are not aware of the overall impact proper tire maintenance has on road safety. Tires are the only part of the vehicle that touch the road so it's very important that they receive regular basic maintenance to ensure they function properly."

  According to a driver survey conducted by the RMA:

  * 81% of drivers do not know how to check their tire inflation pressure
  * 53% of drivers wrongly believe that the correct inflation pressure is
    printed on the tire sidewall
  * 31% of drivers don't know how to tell if their tires are "bald"
  * 73% of drivers do not check the tire pressure in their spare tire
  * Each month, 3-out-of-4 drivers wash their cars while only 1-out-of-5
    correctly checks their tire pressure.

National Tire Safety Week was initiated to promote tire care maintenance as an essential vehicle safety measure. The RMA launched National Tire Safety Week in April 2002 as an initiative of its "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" program. PART stands for Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread. Discount Tire has been involved in the initiative since its inception.

About The Rubber Manufacturers Association

RMA launched National Tire Safety Week in April 2002 as an initiative of its "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" program. PART stands for Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread. This year over 14,000 tire retailers nationwide are participating in the effort to educate motorists about the importance of tire care. For more information about the RMA, visit www.rma.org.

About Discount Tire

Discount Tire is America's largest independent tire company. Also referred to as America's Tire in California and Oregon, Discount Tire currently has more than 600 stores and four distribution centers in 19 states. The company provides retail sales of tires, wheels and related accessories and services through retail outlets and mail/Internet orders. In addition to allowing customers the ability to book online appointments, tires.com offers online access to Discount Tire products, services and information for customers in markets without a physical store presence. For more information on Discount Tire, visit www.tires.com.

                  Discount Tire / America's Tire Company
                          Top 10 Tire Care Tips

  1.  Don't wait until it's too late -- Make it a habit to check your tire
      pressure at least once per month and before every long trip.  Under
      inflated tires cause excess heat build-up that can damage tires and
      lead to a failure.

  2.  Know your pressure point -- The correct tire pressure is found on a
      sticker on the driver's door, doorpost or owner's manual not on the
      tire sidewall -- that's the maximum pressure for the tire.

  3.  Keep your cool -- To accurately measure your tire pressure, check
      tires when they are cold.  Wait at least 3 hours after driving.

  4.  Take care of your spare -- Check your spare tire each month and keep
      it properly inflated so it's ready to go when you need it most.

  5.  Penny for your thoughts -- A penny can tell you if your tire is bald.
      Place a penny upside down into a tread groove.  If you can see all of
      Lincoln's head, it's time for a new tire.

  6.  Keep yourself in line -- Be aware of potholes that can damage your
      tire and also jar your car's alignment.

  7.  Pick a date and rotate -- Make sure you rotate your tires every 6,000
      miles to promote uniform wear and longer tire life.

  8.  Don't take a spin without a cap -- Driving without your tire valve cap
      allows for a slow leak of air from the tire and eventual under
      inflation.

  9.  Don't lose your balance -- It is important to have your tire balance
      checked periodically to avoid irregular wear.

  10. Be a weight-watcher -- Overloading your vehicle stresses your tires
      and can lead to damage.