National Tire Safety Week, April 23-28, 2007

Tire Pressure--Check It Out!

By properly maintaining your tires, you save money, protect yourself and your passengers, and help the environment. What a deal! Be smart and stay safe with these simple steps for tire maintenance:

• Fact Sheets
• Drive: Public Service Announcement
• Questions and Answers
• How to Maintain Your Tires
• How to Check and Adjust Your Tire Pressure
• What Can You Do to Help Prevent Tire Waste?
• How Else Can You Help?

How to Maintain Your Tires

• Check the air pressure in your tire at least once a month, especially before long drives. Use a tire gauge and don't depend on visual inspections. Your vehicle's recommended tire pressure is found in the owner's manual. The air pressure on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure for the tire, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
• Rotate your tires every 6,000 miles as a rule of thumb. Consult your owner's manual for more information and the proper rotation pattern of your vehicle.
• Regularly check the tread depth of your tires. If the tread seems worn, use the "penny test." Turn a penny upside down and place the top of Lincoln's head into one of the tire tread grooves. If any part of the head is obscured by the tread, the tires are still okay.
• Be alert to changes in vehicle handling, and look for uneven wear on your tires. If you notice a problem, have your dealer or service station check the alignment and tire balance.
• Finally, practice good driving habits. Observe speed limits, steer clear of potholes and debris on the road, avoid fast starts, stops and turns, and watch out for curbs when parking or turning.

How to Check and Adjust Your Tire Pressure

• Review your vehicle owner's manual or the driver's side door sticker to determine the proper tire pressure.
• Check the air pressure only when your tires are cool, before you drive.
• After you remove the valve cap, firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
• If the pressure is low add air until you achieve the recommended air pressure.
• If your tire is above the recommended tire pressure or you accidentally overfill it, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with the tire gauge tool, a fingernail, or the tip of a pen. Recheck the pressure until its right.
• Replace the valve cap when you're done.
• Repeat with each tire, and don't forget the spare. You'll be glad you checked the spare if you get a flat tire in the "middle of nowhere"!
• While you're checking the pressure, take a moment to give your tires a good inspection. Listen for leaks, check for nails or other objects embedded in the tires, look for cuts or gouges, uneven wear, bulges, tread separation, and other irregularities.

What Can You Do to Help Prevent Tire Waste?

• Buy Longer-Lasting Tires--When buying new tires, think long-term. Higher-mileage tires may cost more up front, but in the long run you will save money, especially if you follow the steps listed above.
• Consider Retreaded Tires--Retreaded tires are currently available for light trucks and commercial vehicles. If enough people ask for them, they will become available for passenger cars. Ask your local distributor if retreads are available for your vehicle.
• Reuse/Recycle Tires--Be sure your damaged or worn tires are properly managed. When you buy new tires, leave the old ones with the dealer, who will see that the tires are reused, recycled, or disposed of properly. If you have old tires around your property, check with your local environmental health or waste management department to find out where you can take them. Keep an eye out for local clean-up days. Call 1-800-CLEANUP for more information or visit www.cleanup.org.
• Purchase Tire-Derived Products--There is a variety of products on the market available for purchase made from recycled tires, such as; playground safety surfaces, equestrian arena surfaces, mulch, soil amendment, and weed abatement mats, roof shingles, and new tires that contain recycled rubber. Check for all kinds of recycled-content products on our Website.

How Else Can You Help?

Rubber from waste tires is used in many applications, such as school tracks and sports surfaces and civil engineering projects, rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) in your roads, and other highway uses. Call your local public works department and ask if you have rubber roads made from RAC in your area. RAC extends the life of pavement, quiets road noise, and provides better traction. Check with your school district and see if it is replacing old playground and track surfaces with safer rubberized material. Write the politicians who represent you and ask them to support statewide purchasing of products made with recycled rubber.

Remember, it's in your best interest to take good care of your tires. It could even save your life!