National Press Release

Motorists Encouraged to "Be Tire Smart" During National Tire Safety Week

WASHINGTON, June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An alarming amount of Philadelphia motorists continue to ignore a simple step that can save money, save gas and save lives: checking tire pressure.

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A tire pressure survey sponsored by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and Philadelphia-based Pep Boys found that about 46% of Philadelphia surveyed passenger vehicles had at least one under inflated tire. More alarming is that nearly one in seven vehicles in Philadelphia had at least one significantly under inflated tire that can compromise safety and waste gas.

RMA, in partnership with Pep Boys and other national tire retailers and service providers, is spearheading its eighth annual National Tire Safety Week June 7-13 to help educate motorists about the importance of proper tire care. To drive home the point of Americans' lack of tire smarts, RMA worked with Pep Boys to collect actual tire pressure measurements from more than four hundred sixty-four vehicles.

"Few actions that are so simple and quick to do have such striking benefits," said Charles A. Cannon, RMA president and CEO. "Checking tire pressure each month will put money in consumers' pockets, reduce national fuel consumption, help tires last longer and save lives."

"Pep Boys is proud to promote tire safety, during National Tire Safety Week in partnership with the RMA, as well as year round," said Senior Vice President of Stores Bill Shull. "Checking tire pressure is a simple way to be a safe driver and takes only five minutes. If Philadelphia motorists are unsure how to properly check their tires, they can come to Pep Boys any time for a free tire pressure check or to speak with an ASE-certified service expert about tire safety."

Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3.3 percent and save $.06 a gallon at the pump, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Approximately 1.2 billion gallons of fuel are wasted each year by U.S. motorists driving on under inflated tires.

Under inflated tires also pose a safety risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

Other findings in the RMA - Pep Boys tire pressure survey include:

    --  Only 11% of vehicles had four properly inflated tires
    --  46% of vehicles had at least one under inflated tire
    --  45% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 8 pounds per
        square inch (psi)
    --  22% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 6 psi
    --  34% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 4 psi

Although all new vehicles are now equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems, these systems issue a low pressure warning only after tire pressure drops 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure. In many cases, an 8 psi loss of pressure would not trigger a warning light and would cause a loss of fuel economy and could lead to a vehicle safety issue.

To properly check tire pressure, motorists should check tires once a month 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. The correct pressure can also be found in the owner's manual.

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.

Pep Boys has approximately 6,000 service bays and over 560 stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its vehicle maintenance and repair capabilities, the Company also serves the commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS or by visiting www.pepboys.com.

SOURCE Rubber Manufacturers Association