Checking Tire Pressure Can Save Lives and Money at the Pump - VIDEO ENHANCED
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EDITOR'S NOTE: In addition to this text story about tire pressure you can also watch a short video about the importance of correct inflation. Click the PLAY button at the bottom of the page for the video.
PHILADELPHIA - April 11, 2007: Recognizing that underinflated tires are responsible for automobile crashes that result in 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year, The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack an automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, will promote National Tire Safety Week April 22-28 in partnership with the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). During this weeklong event, Pep Boys will aid motorists in ensuring their tires are in safe, proper condition; offer drivers free tire air pressure checks; and distribute tire safety materials.
“Although Pep Boys emphasizes tire safety year-round, participating in a week of awareness promotions that highlight the importance of proper pressure, alignment, rotation and tread allows us to remind our customers of our commitment to providing top-quality tire care, safety and maintenance services,” said Pep Boys’ Senior Vice President of Parts & Tires Mark Page.
“We are proud to have certified service experts available in our stores seven days and six nights a week to advise and educate customers about tire safety practices related to the many lines of name brand and house brand tires our service centers carry,” said Pep Boys’ Senior Vice President of Service Joe Cirelli.
Caring for tires is extremely important and relatively easy. In fact, Pep Boys and the RMA recommend getting in the habit of taking five minutes every month to check your tires, including the spare. Here are some useful guidelines that motorists can follow to play their PART and Be Tire Smart.
Pressure
Underinflation can lead to tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear and possible loss of vehicle control or accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and still not appear to be flat. The best way to check tire pressure is with a properly working analog or digital tire gauge, available at Pep Boys. A bonus: The U.S. Department of Energy reports that properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage up to 3.3 percent.
Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a tire dealer like Pep Boys check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Rotation
Regularly rotating your vehicle’s tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle owner’s manual has a specific recommendation, a good guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.
Tread
Advanced or unusual wear can reduce the ability of the tire to grip the road. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.
In addition to offering free tire air pressure checks year-round, Pep Boys is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States and Puerto Rico. Every tire purchase at Pep Boys includes free mounting, a manufacturer’s warranty against material and workmanship defects, free brake inspection*, free shock and strut inspection and tire rotation every 5,000 miles.
*See store for details.
About the RMA
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 over 120,000 workers and account for more than $21 billion in annual sales.
About Pep Boys
Pep Boys has 593 stores and more than 6,000 service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its vehicle repair and maintenance capabilities, the Company also serves the commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS or by visiting pepboys.com.
