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Uniroyal Tire conducts education campaign for Hispanic drivers
GREENVILLE, S.C. (September 27, 2007) – Nearly one million accidents occur each year in wet weather in the United States. A major contributing factor, according to law enforcement officials, is that many drivers fail to adjust their driving habits to account for the slippery conditions.* “Understanding that your car handles differently in the rain is crucial,” said automotive expert Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, who is working with Uniroyal Tire to educate Hispanic drivers on driving and automotive maintenance tips. “Most people don’t think about their driving habits when it starts to rain. But what works on dry roads may not necessarily keep your car in between the lines in the rain. It is important to adjust your driving and make sure your car is equipped to handle inclement weather at any time.” Uniroyal Tire and Rodriguez-Long offer the following wet weather driving and maintenance tips: 1. Check your tires. Most people are driving around on under-inflated tires, which is especially dangerous in the rain. “Making sure your tires are properly inflated is one of the easiest and most important maintenance procedures drivers can do,” says Kaz Holley, Uniroyal® brand director. According to Holley, tire inflation pressure should be checked once a month when tires are cold (at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and before it has been driven one mile) and adjusted accordingly. The proper inflation pressure can be found in the vehicle owner’s manual or on the placard usually found on the doorjamb. The pressure indicated on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure allowed, not what is recommended for your vehicle. Holley added, “Also, check your tires for tread wear. A primary purpose of the tread design and tread depth is to evacuate water between the road and the tire so your tire maintains optimum contact with the pavement. The more worn down your tread becomes, the less effective it is in removing the water and preventing hydroplaning. It’s very important to have good tread depth to handle the standing water on the roads. If you have questions about the tread depth of your tires, have them checked out at your local Uniroyal dealer.” 2. Drive slowly. Rodriguez-Long says that high speeds can also contribute to hydroplaning. “Driving at a slower speed allows a greater amount of your tires’ tread to contact the road surface, giving you better traction,” he says. “Slowing down will also help you when driving through large amounts of water, which at high speeds, can stall your engine.” 3. Take the time to double the distance between your car and the car in front of you. Your stopping time is increased in wet weather, so it’s critical that you give yourself more space to stop. If you normally drive with one car length between you and the car you’re following, you may not be allowing yourself enough room once it starts raining. You should increase your distance to three cars length when it’s raining. Most states follow the 2-second rule, which is easier to visualize when moving and ensures a safer following distance. It works by picking a stationary object ahead of you (a tree or overpass) and when the car ahead passes that object, start counting. If you get to the object before you count two seconds, you are following too closely. In rain, the 2-second rule should be doubled. 4. Don’t use cruise control. Most people don’t know that using cruise control can be very dangerous when it’s raining. If your car starts to hydroplane, there’s a chance that your car could actually speed up if you have it set on cruise control, according to Rodriguez-Long. 5. After you cross a puddle, tap on your brakes. Slightly tapping your brakes can help to dry out the water on your rotors. 6. Track the car in front of you if you are having trouble seeing the road. You can use the path through the water made by the car ahead of you to help keep your tires in firm contact with the pavement. In addition to these driving tips, Rodriguez-Long also suggests that you understand what to do if your car starts to skid or hydroplane. If you lose control and start to skid, you should gently apply the brakes and steer in the direction of the skid,” he advises. “Avoid slamming or pumping the brakes. If your car starts to hydroplane, or glide across the surface of the water on the road, don’t slam on the brakes. Instead, gently take your foot off the gas and hold the steering wheel steady. If your car has a manual transmission, push the clutch and let the car slow down. If you have an automatic, hold the wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes. “Exercise caution after a long dry spell,” Rodriguez-Long also advises. “Over time, engine oil and grease build up on the roads and new rainfall can make for slick road conditions.” Uniroyal and Rodriguez-Long are reaching out to Latino drivers this year through media interviews and educational materials to provide driving tips and advice regarding saving on automotive maintenance costs. More tips and advice can be found at www.uniroyal.espanol.com. Rodriguez-Long is a recognized Hispanic automotive expert and former engine builder for the Toyota racing division. He is a certified mechanic, a race car driver and editor of an automotive magazine, Auto a Fondo. He is passionate about providing expert advice to educate Hispanics about their cars. A native of Argentina, Rodriguez-Long lives in California where he manages a truck dealership. Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands 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® tire 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 Tire online at www.uniroyal.com. * Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Contact: Maggie Mae Armstrong (336) 819-6955 marmstrong@trone.com Lynne Slovick (864) 458-6365 lynne.slovick@us.michelin.com |
