Roll with safety

Riding on properly inflated tires should be a priority for every one of the thousands of motorists who will hit Canada’s highways during this summer’s driving season.

Drivers who take the few minutes needed to measure and, if necessary, adjust their tire pressures before heading out, can be assured that they and their families will get the exceptionally safe performance tire makers design into their products, and that their tires will deliver the best possible fuel efficiency.

Motorists who ensure their tires are properly inflated can expect to save about two weeks worth of fuel annually.

Under-inflated tires cause vehicles to burn more fuel because of increased rolling resistance.

Proper tire inflation may sound like a no-brainer for drivers who want optimum performance and fuel efficiency, but recent research from The Rubber Association of Canada (RAC), which represents tire makers, found that just under half (49 per cent) of all Canadian drivers are riding on at least one tire that is under or over-inflated. The study also found that one in 10 Canadian drivers have one or more tires severely under-inflated by 20 per cent or more — a potentially hazardous condition.

According to the national study, which was conducted by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, only 30 per cent of Canadian drivers make a point to measure their tire pressures each month.

“Properly inflated tires deliver the exceptional performance that tire makers want every consumer to have,” Glenn Maidment, president of RAC, said. “Drivers need to know that improperly inflated tires increase stopping distance; lessen vehicle stability, particularly when cornering; waste fuel and shorten tire life. All it takes to avoid all this is a reliable tire gauge and five minutes each month to measure and, if necessary, adjust your tire pressures.”

Measuring and adjusting tire pressure is an easy, four step process. Here’s how: 

- Find the right inflation pressure for your tires on the vehicle placard. Check the owner’s manual for its exact location. 

- Remember to only measure pressure when the tires are cold. If you have been driving, wait three hours before measuring tire pressure. 

- Use a reliable tire gauge when measuring pressure. A visual inspection is not an effective way of measuring tire pressure. Remove the cap from the valve stem, press the tire gauge onto the valve and take the pressure reading. 

- Add air until the recommended air pressure is achieved. If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the centre of the valve, then re-measure the pressure.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The DesRosiers study interviewed 1,811 drivers in the fall of 2009. The results are considered accurate within ± 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

- Be Tire Smart – Play Your P.A.R.T. (Pressure, Alignment, Rotation, Tread)