Tire Care Fact

 Sheet

Rubber Manufacturers Association Statistics

• 63% of motorists cite checking tire pressure as a top fuel saving tip.
  25% of motorists attribute the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane season for an increased
  awareness of the relationship between fuel economy and tire pressure.
  BUT:
  Only 19 percent of drivers properly check their tire inflation pressure.

• To properly check tire inflation pressure:
  o Check tire inflation pressure at least once a month
  o Use the correct inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not
  the pressure listed on the tire sidewall
  o Check tires when they are cold or haven’t been driven for at least three hours
  􀀹 More than half of drivers -- 53 percent -- wrongly believe that the correct inflation
  pressure is printed on the tire sidewall.
  􀀹 28 percent of drivers wrongly believe that the best time to check their tires is when they
  are warm after being driven for at least a few miles.
  􀀹 31% of drivers don’t know how to tell if their tires are bald.
  􀀹 73 percent of drivers do not check the tire pressure in their spare tire.*
  􀀹 Each month, three out of four drivers wash their cars while only one out of seven
  correctly checks their tire pressure. **

• Federal Government Statistics
  􀀹 NHTSA estimates more than 23,000 tow away crashes were due to blow outs or flat tires.
  (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, August 2001)
  􀀹 Under inflated tires are attributed to crashes that result in 660 fatalities and 33,000
  injuries each year. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, September 2004)
  􀀹 27 percent of passenger cars and 32 percent of light trucks have at least one significantly
  under inflated tire.

(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey, August 2001)
The RMA sponsored survey was conducted by FrederickPolls to 1,000 drivers nationwide from January 29 - February 4,
2006 and has a margin of error of 3 percent.
* From February 2005 RMA-sponsored survey.
**From February 2004 RMA-sponsored survey.

How to Check Inflation Pressure

 Refer to your vehicle's owners manual for the proper level of inflation; it may also be posted on the door post or in the glove box. 

When you check the inflation pressure, make sure the tires are cool - meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile. (Note: If you have to drive a distance to get air, check and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate inflation pressure when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the inflation pressure inside increase as you drive. Never "bleed" or reduce inflation pressure when tires are hot.) 

Remove the cap from the tire valve, firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve and note the reading.  Add air to achieve recommended inflation pressure. 

If you overfill the tire, you can release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with a fingernail or the tip of a pen. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.  Replace the valve cap.

 Repeat with each tire, including the spare (Note: Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure).