CIWMB Press Room Archives

Safety, Fuel Savings and the Environment are Riding on Your Tires: California supports Tire Safety Week and monthly tire maintenance

SACRAMENTO--The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) reminds motorists to check their tire pressure monthly.

“By taking a few minutes once a month to check tire pressure, California drivers can significantly increase the safety and fuel economy of their vehicle,” said CIWMB Board Chair Margo Reid Brown. “This quick and simple maintenance will also extend the life of your tires, helping you save money while reducing the number of scrap tires that must be recycled and kept out of landfills.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, keeping tires at the proper inflation level can save drivers $100 to $200 in gas each year; consumer savings also come from less frequent replacement of tires. And this will allow drivers to reduce the generation of scrap tires, currently 44 million a year statewide.

Tires that are properly inflated and maintained also contribute to the overall safety of a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates underinflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

“Tens of millions of U.S. motorists are currently driving on underinflated tires,” said Daniel Zielinski of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). “It is our hope that by educating drivers about proper tire maintenance, we can help protect them and their passengers.”

RMA recently surveyed more than 5,300 passenger vehicles nationwide and found that almost half had at least one under inflated tire. One in five vehicles had at least one significantly under inflated tire that can compromise safety and waste gas.

In addition to the tire pressure survey, RMA commissioned a poll of registered drivers to gauge their knowledge of proper tire maintenance. While most drivers believe that checking tire pressure is one of the top actions they can take to save fuel, 82 percent do not know how to properly check tires.

To properly check tire pressure, motorists should check once each month; check tires when cold--before the vehicle is driven; and use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure found on a label located on the driver’s door or door post, or check the owner’s manual.

National Tire Safety Week is June 7-13. For more information about National Tire Safety Week and proper tire maintenance, visit www.betiresmart.org.

About CIMWB: The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment. It is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

About RMA: The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include more than 80 companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods, and other finished rubber products. All RMA press releases are available at www.rma.org.

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