Tire Company and Rubber Manufacturers Assoc. Highlight Proper Tire Care for National Tire Safety Week

Tire Maintenance Critical to Road Safety, Fuel Economy and Tire Life

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 24 -- Discount Tire, America largest independent tire retailer, and the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) have partnered for the 6th Annual National Tire Safety Week being conducted April 22-28. The nationwide effort is designed to educate motorists about the four essential areas of tire maintenance including Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread.

Improper tire care results in 33,000 injuries and 660 fatalities each year on U.S. roads. Regular tire maintenance can lead to longer lasting tires, better fuel economy and safer roads.

Discount Tire is providing free tire safety kits at more than 650 retail stores throughout the U.S. as part of National Tire Safety Week, to encourage motorist to adopt proper tire maintenance habits. Tire safety kits include a tire air pressure gauge, tread depth gauge and a RMA "Be Tire Smart" brochure with easy-to-follow tire maintenance tips and a safety checklist for routine monthly tire inspections. Discount Tire also provides free tire air pressure and tread depth checks by trained tire technicians at all stores nationwide.

Additionally, Discount Tire is lending the support of NASCAR Busch Series driver David Ragan, its fulltime driver of the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion with Roush Fenway Racing. Ragan is featured in a RMA radio public service announcement regarding the importance of maintaining proper vehicle tire inflation pressure. Discount Tire is the primary sponsor of the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion for the Busch Series with Roush Fenway Racing.

Maintaining tire inflation pressure is one of the most critical things motorists can do to improve their road safety and get the most from their tires. Improperly inflated tires lead to decreased steering and braking control as well as excessive tire wear and fuel consumption.

  According a RMA driver survey:

  *  81% of drivers do not know how to properly 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

  *  1-in-5 drivers check their tire pressure each month

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 Discount Tire

Discount Tire, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is America's largest independent tire retailer. Also referred to as America's Tire in Oregon and some parts of California, Discount Tire currently operates more than 650 stores across the country. The company provides sales of tires, wheels and related accessories and services through mail order, Internet and retail stores. At tires.com, customers can research, purchase and make an appointment for service. For more information about Discount Tire, visit www.tires.com.

  (See Top 10 Tire Care Tip Sheet)

                  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-side doorpost or in the 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 three 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 air to slowly leak from the tire and leads to 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.