Pirelli supports USTMA National Tire Safety Week

Pirelli will support the US Tire Manufacturers Association’s (USTMA) annual National Tire Safety Week campaign from 26 June to 3 July. The initiative seeks to educate drivers on the importance and simplicity of everyday tyre maintenance as a part of general road safety. The association argues that tyre safety is “on par with wearing a seatbelt and following speed limits” in terms of driving safety, since tyres “are the only part of a vehicle that truly touches the road.”

Pirelli shared some simple, essential steps for drivers to ensure tyre safety:

• Check tyre inflation pressure at least once a month and before embarking on a long-distance road trip, since underinflation can lead to tyre failure;
• Monitor tyre inflation pressure during periods of fluctuating temperature and seasonal shifts;
• Check the alignment of your wheels as specified by your vehicle manufacturer’s owner manual, or take note if your vehicle is pulling to one side when driving, which can indicate wheel misalignment that causes uneven and rapid treadwear.
• Rotate your tyres every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or at the distance specified by your vehicle manufacturer’s owner manual.

Keep an eye on your tyre treads, as traction and resistance to hydroplaning, particularly in bad weather, is reduced as tyres wear. Much like TyreSafe’s 20p tread depth test in the UK, Pirelli in the US suggests the use of another coin as an everyday object that can be easily used to test tread depth. It says: “place a penny upside down into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the proper amount of tread. If you can see all of his head, a new tyre is needed.”

“How we treat our tyres is reflected in the ability to drive safely and have fun on the road,” said Ian Coke, chief technical officer, Pirelli North America. “All it takes is a handful of routine vehicle checkups, similar to filling your tank or getting an oil change, to ensure that your tyres are well equipped to get you where you’re going.”

More information about National Tire Safety Week and additional recommendations from the USTMA, are available here.