California Lawmaker Introduces Tire Safety Week Legislation; Legislator Aims to Educate California Drivers with Measure.

Business Editors/Automotive Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2003

A survey shows that 86 percent of California drivers don't know how to properly check their tire pressure. To help reverse this alarming statistic, a California lawmaker is taking steps to raise awareness of the importance of tire safety.

Assemblyman Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, representing the 69th District, introduced a resolution Tuesday, April 8 in the Legislature to declare April 27 to May 3, 2003 "California Tire Safety Week." The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), the national trade group representing major U.S. tire manufacturers, is praising the action which, if passed, would offer Californians an official week-long reminder to check their tires.

"We are thrilled with Assemblyman Correa's introduction of this very important piece of legislation," said Donald B. Shea, RMA president and CEO. "Californians spend a lot of time in their vehicles, so tire safety is critical. Our goal is to improve tire safety knowledge and tire care in the state."

Assemblyman Correa notes that it is important for all drivers to be aware of how easy it is to be aware of tire safety, particularly maintaining proper inflation pressure. "It's a simple process, and a reliable tire gauge is readily available. I hope that California Tire Safety Week will bring this important safety issue to the attention of Californians who are unaware."

RMA is making tire safety stops in San Diego and San Francisco on Thursday, April 10 as part of a multi-city "Be Tire Smart - Play Your PART" tour across the West Coast to encourage drivers to take five minutes a month to check their tires for an overall safer driving experience.

PART stands for Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread - four key components to tire safety, which include: checking inflation pressure (including the spare) once a month and before long trips, periodic wheel alignment, rotation of tires every 6,000-8,000 miles and checking tread regularly.

The tire-care events will take place all day April 10, at the Discount Tire Co. store at 3935 Convoy Street in San Diego, and the Firestone Tire & Service Center at 190 El Camino Real in South San Francisco. RMA will offer free tire-care brochures, tire gauges, window reminder decals and free tire-care demonstrations on pressure and tread by tire-care professionals.

Other RMA findings in a February 2003 survey include:

-- 56 percent of Californians wrongly believe that the correct

inflation pressure is printed on the tire sidewall.

-- Nearly one-third of drivers incorrectly believe that they are

better off having their tires a little bit underinflated when

their vehicles are fully loaded.

-- 44 percent of California drivers are not aware that their

vehicle's tire pressure should be checked when tires are

cold -- meaning they have not been driven for at least three

hours.

-- 70 percent of California drivers do not know how to tell if

their tires are bald.

-- 73 percent of California drivers do not check the tire

pressure in their spare tire.

RMA also points out that while safety is a top concern, you can also improve your gas mileage by having properly inflated tires. Drivers can improve their gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Underinflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every psi drop in pressure of all four tires. With the rising costs of gas, having inflated tires can provide a significant amount of savings for California drivers.

To help commemorate California Tire Safety Week, RMA is hosting a local tire safety event on Thursday, May 1 at the Goodyear Auto Service Center on I Street in Sacramento.

For additional tire safety tips, visit www.betiresmart.org.

Founded in 1915, the Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association of the rubber products industry. Its membership includes more than 100 member companies that manufacture tires and other rubber products.

Members include Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., Continental Tire North America, Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Michelin North America, Pirelli North America, Inc. and Yokohama Tire Corporation. All RMA press releases are available at www.rma.org.