Auto Club Urges Motorists to Get Free Tire Check During Tire Safety Week; Your Vehicle's Tires Are Key to Good Fuel Economy

LOS ANGELES--April 26, 2004--Motorists can unlock the key to maximum fuel economy by making sure their tires are in good working condition, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. The Auto Club is urging motorists to get a free tire check-up at any of the 600 Auto Club Approved Auto Repair facilities this week. A list of locations can be found at www.aaa.com and in Auto Club offices.

The need for proper tire maintenance is so important that National Tire Safety Week, April 25-May 1, 2004, was launched to help drivers understand basic tire care.

"Being unaware of the condition of your vehicle's tires is dangerous and equal to pouring money down the drain," said Dave Skaien, an Auto Club Approved Auto Repair program manager. "Sufficient tread and proper tire inflation is necessary for safe driving and to reduce gas costs."

"Maintaining your vehicle's tires is critical to fuel economy," said Skaien. "Underinflated tires can cut fuel economy by up to 2 percent per pound of pressure below the recommended level. Every other fill-up, motorists should walk around their vehicles and check tires for uneven or excessive tread wear and proper inflation. They can refer to the vehicle's doorjamb or glove box for original specifications or the manufacturer of the replacement tire for tire pressure inflation," he added.

California and many other states have minimum tread depth laws. Motorists shouldn't drive on minimum tire tread before replacing tires, said Skaien. Passenger cars shouldn't operate on tires below 2/32-inch tread depth.

To determine if new tires are needed, motorists can use a coin as a tire tread depth gauge. Place a U.S. penny, Lincoln's head first, into several tread grooves. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by tread, then more than 2/32-inch tread depth remains. (Don't place the coin on top of the wear bar, a thick elevated strip of rubber running across the base of tire grooves.)

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA affiliate, has served members since 1900. The Auto Club's members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance, insurance products and services, AAA Travel Agency, automotive buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.