Planning to head out soon for a summer vacation or a quick weekend getaway? Before you do, make sure you do something even more important than packing your bags. Do your PART and check your tires for proper pressure.

Since next week (June 5-11) is the 10th National Tire Safety Week, an initiative of RMA’s tire maintenance education program (Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART), it makes sense to reiterate a few simple facts about how to properly care for the tires on your family vehicles.

PART is an acronym that stands for Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread – the four key elements of proper tire care, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).

• Pressure – Check the tire pressure of all tires at least once a month. Definitely check it if you’re heading out on a road trip. Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire wear and tear.

• Alignment – If your vehicle’s wheels are misaligned in the front or the rear it can cause uneven and rapid tire tread wear.

• Rotation – You’ll get more uniform tire wear if you have your tires rotated on a regular basis.

• Tread – Unusual and advanced tread wear can reduce tire ability to grip the road during adverse conditions.

What’s the big deal?

AAA, which, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helped RMA start National Tire Safety Week a decade ago, estimates that it will come to the aid of 1.2 million stranded motorists with tire-related problems this summer.

Imagine having your family vacation ruined because you failed to take five minutes to check your tires’ pressure before heading out? And it only takes five minutes. That’s about the same amount of time it takes to shave or shower. Not really much time at all, but the savings – in fuel savings and tire repair or replacement costs can really add up.

RMA surveys show that 85 percent of motorists don’t know how to properly inflate their tires. According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy, properly maintained tire pressure increases fuel economy by 3.3 percent and can save motorists up to 12 cents a gallon at the pump.

Perhaps the statistic that is most important is the one from the NHTSA: Under-inflated tires contribute to over 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries annually.

How to properly check tire pressure

The RMA has the following tips on how to correctly check tire inflation pressure. In its 2011 survey of 1,000 motorists, only 15 percent of those surveyed knew how to do this correctly.

• Check pressure at least once a month.

• Use the tire inflation pressure recommended by the manufacturer (found on a label in the vehicle’s driver’s side door or owner’s manual – not on the tire’s sidewall). RMA found that 62 percent don’t know where to find the correct tire inflation information for their vehicle. Fifty-three percent think it’s on the tire’s sidewall and 15 percent don’t know at all.

• Check tires when they are cold – not after you’ve been driving for a while. If you have been driving, wait at least three hours before checking tire pressure. The reason to check when they’re cold is because as tires roll, they warm up and increase pressure. This could give a false reading of the actual tire pressure.

• Don’t forget to check pressure inflation on the spare tire as well. RMA found that seven out of ten drivers neglect to check spare tire pressure.

Bottom line: Keep your family safe on the road this summer – and save money on gas as well as tire repairs. Check tire pressure on all tires before you get everyone on-board to head out of town.

For more tire safety tips, check out the NHTSA link below.

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[AAA via PR Newswire, RMA, NHTSA]

http://www.familycarguide.com/news/1061047_underinflated-tires-can-cost-you-do-your-part

How to save on $4 a gallon gas this summer

Tamp down the road rage, check the tires and empty that trunk

Check the tires: Make sure your tires have the proper pressure. The Department of Energy says proper tire inflation can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 3 percent. You can also get better gas mileage if your car is properly tuned and you use the correct grade of oil.

Click here to read the full MSNBC article.

Click here for fuel economy tips from the U.S. Department of Energy.

From shopping trips to trips to Grandma’s, easy ways to save money as fuel prices continue to rise

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With the national average price of regular, self-service, gasoline nearing $3.00 per gallon, many drivers are saying ‘bah humbug’ at the gas pump this holiday season.

“For many, rising gas prices are especially tough this time of year as they are on the road more with extra shopping trips, holiday events and road trips to visit friends and family,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA Automotive vice president. “However, there are several easy things drivers can do to stretch each tank of gas and find the lowest fuel prices when it is time to fill up.”

To help ease the burden at the pump, AAA offers these tips for drivers to save money on fuel during the holiday season:

Be gentle on the gas and brake pedals

One of the easiest and most effective ways to conserve fuel is to change driving styles. Instead of making quick starts and sudden stops, go easy on the gas and brake pedals. If there is a red light ahead, ease off the gas and coast up to it rather than waiting until the last second to brake. Once the light turns green, gently accelerate rather than making a quick start. The U.S. Department of Energy reports aggressive driving can lower a car’s fuel economy by up to 33 percent.

Drive the speed limit

While the holiday hustle and bustle may have drivers rushing around town, slowing down to observe the speed limit not only can conserve fuel but also avoid a speeding ticket. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that each 5 mph driven over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas. Leave yourself plenty of time to reach your destination to avoid feeling rushed so you can arrive safely and with a little more fuel in the tank.

Properly inflate tires

Only 17 percent of cars have all four tires properly inflated, yet the U.S. Department of Energy reports that proper tire inflation can improve fuel economy by up to three percent. It’s important not only to check tire pressures at least once a month, but also make sure it’s done correctly; a survey found 85 percent of motorist don’t know how to properly check tire pressures. Check the pressures when the tires are cold and have not been driven on recently. Tires should be inflated to pressure levels recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, NOT the pressure levels stamped on the tire sidewall. The proper pressure levels can be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner’s manual.

Plan errands in advance

When running holiday errands, try to combine multiple tasks into one trip. Several short trips starting with a cold engine each time can use twice as much gas as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Also, plan the route in advance to drive the fewest miles.

Keep luggage off the roof

Try to avoid using a car’s roof rack to transport luggage or other equipment—especially over long distances on the highway. A loaded roof rack affects the vehicle aerodynamics and creates extra drag that reduces fuel economy.

Let AAA find lowest gas prices

Drivers equipped with the AAA TripTik Mobile iPhone application can find the lowest gas prices close to home or on the road. Using AAA TripTik Mobile, the first free app offering frequently updated gas prices, motorists can compare fuel costs at stations near to their location or in a specified area. The AAA app’s GPS technology enables users to quickly locate stations on a map and see the price for all available grades of gasoline. AAA also provides gas station location and fuel price information at AAA.com with the online TripTik Travel Planner.

Keep up-to-date on vehicle maintenance

Keeping a car running properly helps achieve maximum fuel economy. Be sure to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, and do not ignore vehicle warning lights that indicate something is wrong. Warning lights can signal problems that will greatly decrease a car’s fuel efficiency. To help motorists find reliable, high-quality vehicle service, AAA has inspected and approved nearly 8,000 auto repair shops across the country. To locate a nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, visit AAA.com/repair.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high-resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at AAA.com/news.

SOURCE AAA