A vehicle’s tires play an important role in the safety of your vehicle, as we are reminded by National Tire Safety Week. Organized by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), the national trade association for the rubber products industry, the event runs June 7-13. It is a chance for tire makers to remind and educate consumers about proper tire maintenance and care, and arguably sell more tires.

A recent survey sponsored by the RMA of about 5,500 vehicles found that only nine percent of vehicles had four properly inflated tires and 49 percent of vehicles had at least one under inflated tire.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 600 deaths and 33,000 injuries per year are due to under inflated tires. Improperly inflated tires also lowers the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

Here are some tips to help your keep your tires running smoothly and safely.

Visually inspect tires on a regular basis. Look for cracks, cuts, or bulges in the sidewall or tread.

Check for uneven tread wear, which typically denotes poor wheel alignment or worn suspension components, and have both checked by a shop.

Use a quarter to check the tread depth of your tire, measuring to President Washinton’s head. (We have found there is a marked difference in tire performance between the quarter and the more common penny measurement.)

Check the air pressure each month when the tires are cold (before they've been driven more than a couple of miles).

Be sure that tires are inflated to the air pressures listed on the placard on the doorjamb, inside the glove compartment, or fuel-filler door. (The tire itself only lists the maximum pressure, not what is appropriate for your vehicle.)

Tire vibration may be a sign a wheel is misaligned, unbalanced, or bent. It could also signify internal tire damage.

For more safety information and Ratings of car, truck, and winter tires, see our tire and car care page. 

—Liza Barth