LA Auto Club Urges Motorists to Check Tire Pressure for Under-Inflation before Hitting the Road

LOS ANGELES--Dec. 1, 2004--Motorists can improve their safety and increase the life of their vehicle tires by checking for under-inflation before hitting the road for the winter holidays, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The Auto Club is offering a free brochure, "Be Tire Smart, Play Your Part," because proper tire maintenance is important. The brochure, available at Auto Club offices, will help drivers understand tire care basics, enhance their safety and increase the regular wear on their vehicle tires.

"Being unaware of the condition of your vehicle's tires is dangerous and like pouring money down the drain," said Steve Mazor, the Auto Club's principal automotive engineer. "Sufficient tread and proper tire inflation is necessary for safe driving and to conserve fuel."

"Maintaining your vehicle's tires is critical to fuel economy," added Mazor. "Under-inflated 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 determine proper tire pressure by referring to the vehicle's doorjamb, glove box, or fuel filler flap for original specifications or by checking with the tire manufacturer for vehicles equipped with after-market tires," he added.

California and other states have minimum tread depth laws. Motorists shouldn't drive on minimum tire tread before replacing tires, said Mazor. Passenger cars shouldn't operate on tires below 2/32-inch tread depth. When purchasing new tires, buy tires that fit your vehicle. Check the safety sticker on the vehicle's doorjamb on the driver's side door for the manufacturer-recommended tire load and speed ratings.

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. When taken care of, tires can last a long time -- often 40,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on the application, said Mazor.