National Tire Safety Week

 
UNIROYAL TIRE URGES YEAR 'ROUND TIRE CARE

Greenville, S.C. (April 22, 2004) — Next week is National Tire Safety Week (April 25 to May 1), and Uniroyal Tires urges drivers not to wait for a special time of year to think about the safety of their tires.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than one-quarter of passenger vehicles on U.S. roadways have at least one substantially under inflated tire. A survey by the administration also found that up to nine percent of passenger vehicles are riding on at least one bald tire-with less than 2/32 inches of tread.

Uniroyal Tire recommends that drivers inspect their vehicle's tires at least once a month and before any long road trips, checking inflation pressure and looking for obvious signs of damage, cuts and excessive or uneven wear.

"Basic tire safety isn't rocket science. It's not even bottle-rocket science," said Uniroyal Tire test driver Mac Demere. "It takes five minutes each month to look over your tires and check air pressure. It's that easy."

Demere offers these basic tips for drivers to follow when inspecting their tires:
  • Set tires to the right pressure - Drivers should follow the recommended air pressure from the vehicle manufacturer as listed on a sticker located on the vehicle's door jamb, glove box door or in the owner's manual.


  • Check tire tread depth - In most states, the minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. If you place a penny upside down in your tire's shallowest groove and you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head, it's time to buy new tires.


  • Inspect tires monthly - Knowing what to look for is only useful if you actually take the time to look. Get in the habit of frequently inspecting tires for proper inflation, damage or wear. If something doesn't look right, take your car to a tire dealer for closer inspection.


  • Replace tires properly - If you only replace two tires at a time, mount them on the rear axle. Otherwise, your car could lose rear traction in the rain and spin out.


  • Proper alignment is important - Have your car's suspension re-aligned when you buy new tires, if you notice uneven wear or if it has been a while since your last alignment. A suspension that is not aligned properly can wear out new tires after only a few thousand miles and adversely affect gas mileage.
"Your tires are the only thing between your vehicle and the road, so it's important to make sure they're in good condition year 'round," said Demere. "Making an effort to follow these simple tips now could save time, money and maybe even a life in the long run."

Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading manufacturers of tires for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw® and Laredo® series. Uniroyal tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties. Visit Uniroyal online at: www.uniroyal.com
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