The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) wants drivers to know that checking for proper tire pressure can save lives and reduce fuel costs. Proper tire pressure can save motorists as much as $0.10 per gallon at the pump according to the RMA. More importantly under inflated tires can cause accidents that could have been easily avoided. Record high gas prices should be an incentive for motorists to take every step possible to help make their cars and their money go further," said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president, public affairs. "While our survey found that 61 percent of motorists agreed that checking tire pressure is very important to maximizing fuel economy, only one in seven drivers properly perform this easy task."Checking tires is not only a fuel saving tip, it can also be life saving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under inflated tires contribute to 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year. NHTSA estimates that about one in four cars, and one in three light trucks, have at least one significantly under inflated tire.Under inflated tires also cause premature tire wear that can force consumers to replace tires sooner. "Consumers can help their wallets and the environment by paying attention to their tires so they last as long as possible, reducing disposal needs," Zielinski added.They recently ran a study that found many drivers are not tire savvy.Forty-six percent of drivers wrongly believe the correct inflation pressure is printed on the tire sidewallTwenty-six percent of drivers wrongly believe the best time to check tires is when they are warmOnly one out of every three drivers knows how to tell if tires are baldThe RMA recommends motorists check tire pressure at least monthly using a tire guage. The recommended tire pressure can be found on a label placed on the driver's door or in the owner's manual RMA recommends that tire pressure be checked at least once every month with a tire gauge. The recommended tire pressure for every vehicle is set by vehicle manufacturers and can be found on a label usually placed on the driver's door or check the owner's manual. Also, tires should be checked when cold, or haven't been driven for at least three hours.During National Tire Safety Week, RMA and its partners will promote tire care education to motorists throughout the country. More than 18,000 tire dealers, auto dealers, AAA clubs and others throughout the country will provide RMA tire care information brochures to consumers. Additionally, most tire retail locations provide free tire pressure services to motorists throughout the year."Our goal during National Tire Safety Week is to encourage all motorists to take five minutes to be tire smart and help save lives, save fuel and save the environment," Zielinski said.More tire safety tips can be found here on the betiresmart.org website.Permalink | Recent Headlines | RSS Feeds

Source: DriversDrive.com

Original Story: RMA Survey Finds Many Motorists Are Not Tire Smart