WASHINGTON — According to research from the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), New England drivers rank below national average when it comes to tire care. Only 14 percent of New England drivers properly check tire pressure.

To address these issues, RMA is bringing its national tire care awareness tour to New England in a pre-July 4th, three-state swing to help educate motorists about the importance of proper tire care. RMA will co-host three, free tire care events, June 24-26.

Millions of Americans are expected to travel during the long July 4th holiday weekend to beaches, lakes and other vacation spots. RMA and its tire dealer partners are encouraging motorists to check their tires before they hit the road in vehicles loaded with family members and vacation gear. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), drivers can also improve their gas mileage by about 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure.

Partnering with RMA during the tour are Town Fair Tire in Hartford, Conn., on June 24; VIP Parts, Tires and Service in Portland, Maine, on June 25 and Sullivan Tire in Fall River, Mass., on June 26. The New England tire care tour will also be supported by radio public service announcements featuring John Paul, AAA Southern New England’s Car Doctor.

RMA’s 2004 study reports a number of other interesting findings. Each month, three out of four drivers wash their cars while only one out of seven correctly checks their tire pressure, according to the study. Almost half of New Englanders – 45 percent — wrongly believe that the correct inflation pressure is printed on the tire sidewall. Thirty-three percent of drivers in New England wrongly believe that the best time to check their tires is when they are warm after being driven for at least a few miles. Nearly one-third of drivers wrongly believe that if they are taking a trip with a fully loaded vehicle that they are better off if their tires are a little bit under inflated. Sixty-nine percent of New Englanders don’t know how to tell if their tires are bald.

RMA is conducting consumer outreach activities, such as the New England tire care awareness tour, as part of its Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART program. The educational program aims to teach drivers about the importance of taking simple care and maintenance steps to keep tires safe and performing at optimal levels.

For more information, go to: www.rma.org.

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