Be Tire Smart Arizona! Regular Tire Care Can Improve Gas Mileage and Maximize Vehicle Safety

PHOENIX, Ariz., April 21 -- According to a 2006 survey, more than 80 percent of drivers do not properly check their tire pressure. For that reason, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) will be kicking off the fifth annual National Tire Safety Week this Sunday, April 23 and is encouraging Arizona drivers to be more aware of what it takes to maintain safe tires.

Governor Janet Napolitano has voiced her support by issuing a statewide proclamation that will serve as an official weeklong reminder for Arizona drivers to check their tires. The RMA joined forces with the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Discount Tire, AAA-Arizona and the Arizona Department of Public Safety in Phoenix today to launch this year's effort to educate drivers on how and why it is so important to take care of their tires.

"Unfortunately not enough drivers realize the benefits that proper tire care can have," said Donald B. Shea, RMA President and CEO. "A quick check of your tires can improve your vehicle's gas mileage, maximize the lifespan of your tires and lead to a safer overall driving experience, but our research shows that not enough drivers are getting the message."

  An RMA nationwide survey conducted in February, found:

    *  Only 19 percent of drivers properly check their tire inflation
       pressure. Properly checking tires means checking at least once a
       month before tires have been driven even a mile and inflating them to
       the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure, not the pressure
       listed on the tire sidewall.
    *  28 percent of drivers wrongly believe that the best time to check
       their tires is when they are warm after being driven at least a few
       miles.
    *  Less than half of drivers know where to find the correct tire
       pressure -- on a sticker in their vehicle that's usually found on the
       driver's door or in the owner's manual.  53 percent wrongly believe
       that the correct pressure is found on the tire sidewall.
    *  73 percent of drivers do not check the tire pressure in their spare
       tire.
    *  Each month, three out of four drivers wash their car while only about
       one in five correctly checks their tire pressure.

RMA urges drivers to invest just five minutes each month for basic tire maintenance. If Arizona motorists are not sure about the best care for their tires they can have their tire pressure checked throughout the year free of charge at Discount Tire company locations, AAA-Approved Auto Repair facilities and many other tire retail stores.

National Tire Safety Week is an initiative of RMA's "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" program to promote proper tire care, which leads to a safer driving experience. This year more than 14,000 tire retailers nationwide are participating in the effort to educate motorists about the importance of tire care. PART stands for Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread, four basic elements of tire care.

More information about the "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" program and National Tire Safety Week can be found at http://www.betiresmart.org/. Additional tire safety information can be found at NHTSA's web site, http://www.safercar.gov/ and on AAA club web sites at http://www.aaa.com/.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include more than 100 companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods, and other finished rubber products. RMA members employ more than 120,000 workers and account for more than $21 billion in annual sales.