Tip #1:  Check Your Tires Regularly

Proper tire care and safety is simple and easy. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) recommends getting in the habit of taking five minutes every month to check your tires, including the spare. Click on the icon below and download a printable version of the RMA's Be Tire Smart/Play Your Part brochure that details how consumers can maintain their tires. It reviews all of the key elements of tire maintenance: Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread.

Tip #2: How to Read a Sidewall

Passenger Tire:

Light Truck Tire:

Tip #3: Spring Driving

April showers bring May flowers and wet driving conditions. Now that the long winter is over, millions of Americans will take to the roads again for holiday road trips and long weekend getaways. The Rubber Manufacturers Association reminds you to check your tires (and the spare) at least once a month and before every long trip.

As you prepare to hit the road again this spring, consider the following advice to make sure your tires are ready for the trip and that you arrive safely at your destination:

• Good brakes and years of driving experience aren't enough to ensure that you will be able to stop quickly in wet weather. In fact, stopping on a wet road can take up to four times the normal distance on a dry road. During wet weather conditions, drive slowly and keep in mind that stopping distances will be longer.
• Check the pressure of your tires once a month and before every long trip to ensure that when you do need to stop, your tires can do everything they're supposed to do to help you. The correct inflation pressure for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual. The maximum inflation pressure listed on the tire is not the recommended pressure.
• Rain water that mixes with oil or grime on the streets can cause slippery conditions that may result in unexpected skidding. Slow down and pay attention to the possibility of skidding. Make sure you have the alignment and balance of your tires checked regularly so that if you do skid, your vehicle is properly equipped to help you stop safely.

• Rotating your tires can sometimes help correct irregular tire wear. Before rotating your tires, always refer to your car's owner's manual for rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles.
• In a sudden downpour, driving fast or driving on worn tires can cause your tires to hydroplane—this means that your tires "surf" along on a film of water just like a water skier.
• Slow down in sudden downpours and make sure you check the tread on your tires once per month and before every long trip. Your tires should have at least 1/16 inch of tread depth.

Tip #4: Summer Driving Tips

For many Americans, the summer season is driving season. These tire safety tips are designed to help drivers make sure that they're ready for safe, enjoyable road trips this summer.

Tire Pressure

• Make sure you check your tire pressure regularly at least once per month and before every long trip—including the spare and keep it at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
• The correct cold inflation pressure for your tires is listed on the vehicle placard on the door post, fuel door, glove box, or in the owner's manual. "Cold inflation pressure" refers to the pressure in a tire that has not been driven for at least three hours. As tires warm during driving, it is normal for pressure to build up. Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot.
• The tire pressure listed on your sidewalls is the maximum pressure and is not intended to serve as notification of the correct pressure.
• Underinflation creates excessive stresses and heat and may lead to tire failure. It is also important to guard against overinflation, which can cause uneven wear plus handling and stopping problems.

Vehicle Loading and Overloading

• Before you fill the trunk and the roof rack with your stuff, check out the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for loading your vehicle. You may not realize it, but you and your passengers count towards the total recommended vehicle weight.
• The vehicle manufacturer's loading recommendation can be found on the vehicle information placard on the door post or in the vehicle owner's manual.
• Overloading your vehicle creates excessive heat inside your tires. Excessive heat can cause tire failure that could result in vehicle damage and/or serious injury or even death.
• And don't forget, if you're going to be driving long distances with a loaded vehicle or you haven't had your car checked in a while, have the alignment and rotation checked. Tires and wheels that are out of balance or misaligned can cause uneven wear or vehicle problems. Have your car checked by an automotive service professional before you leave.

Tread

• Check the tread grooves of your tires to make sure that they're free of foreign objects. This makes it easier for your tires to grip the road and increases your ability to safely maneuver your car.
• Also check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulge, or other irregularities.
• You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Built-in treadwear indicators, or wear bars, which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread will appear on the tire when the tread is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch. When you see these wear bars, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.