The week of June 2-8, 2013 is National
Tire Safety Week. At Dunn Tire, we’d like to take
this time to share some helpful information and remind motorists to
check their tires for proper inflation, tread depth, and potential
damage before heading out on the roads.
In fact, tire safety is so important to us, we’ll be celebrating this event the entire month of June. We invite everyone to come into any Dunn Tire location for a free and honest assessment of your tires’ condition and lifespan. No appointment is necessary. We will measure your tire tread depth, check and adjust your tire pressure, and visually inspect your tire for any irregular or unsafe tire wear. Additionally we will be giving away FREE tire pressure gauges and tread depth gauges (while supplies last).
Routine tire care and safety is simple and easy. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) recommends getting in the habit of taking five minutes every month to check your tires, including the spare.
Interestingly, a new national survey conducted by the RMA finds that “only one in six US drivers is ‘tire smart’ when it comes to checking tire pressure ‐ a quick and simple step that can optimize vehicle safety and fuel economy and helps tires last longer.” The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), which represents tire manufacturers in the U.S., conducted the survey to gauge motorists’ awareness about proper tire maintenance. Significant differences exist between men and women and also between younger and older drivers.
Other key tire care facts from the RMA survey include:
- Only 17 percent of drivers know how to properly check tire pressure.
- Only 48 percent of drivers know where to find the correct inflation pressure for their vehicle: a label on a vehicle’s driver side door or owner’s manual. 52% of drivers wrongly believe that the correct pressure is listed on the tire sidewall.
- Nearly 40 percent of drivers don’t know that tires should be checked “cold” – before driving. Don’t check tires after driving. As tires roll, they warm up, which causes the pressure to increase and could give a false tire pressure reading.
-
52 percent of drivers do not know how to tell if their tires
are bald.
- Stick an upside down penny into tire tread. If you see all of Lincoln’s head, the tire is bald and needs to be replaced.
- All tires have “wear bars” at 2/32nds tread depth. When tread is worn down to that point, they are bald and need to be replaced.
- 2 out of 3 drivers do not check the tire pressure in their spare tire.
- GENDER GAP: 20 percent of male drivers are “tire smart” vs. 14 percent of women.
RMA urges motorists to Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART.
Pressure: Check tire pressure monthly with a tire gauge and inflate to vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
Alignment: Misalignment of wheels can cause uneven and rapid tread‐wear.
Rotation: Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to help you achieve more uniform wear.
Tread: Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions.
Stop by any Dunn Tire location during the month of June 2013 for your free and honest assessment of your tires’ condition and lifespan! Plus receive a FREE tire pressure gauge and tread depth gauge while supplies last.