TIRE SAFETY
Everything Rides On It

Studies of tire safety show that maintaining proper tire pressure, observing tire and vehicle load limits (not carrying more weight in your vehicle than your tires or vehicle can safely handle), avoiding road hazards, and inspecting tires for cuts, slashes, and other irregularities are the most important things you can do to avoid tire failure, such as tread separation or blowout and flat tires. These actions, along with other care and maintenance activities, can also:

• Improve vehicle handling

• Help protect you and others from avoidable breakdowns and accidents

• Improve fuel economy

• Increase the life of your tires.

This booklet presents a comprehensive overview of tire safety, including information on the following topics:

• Basic tire maintenance

• Uniform Tire Quality Grading System

• Fundamental characteristics of tires

• Tire safety tips.

Use this information to make tire safety a regular part of your vehicle maintenance routine. Recognize that the time you spend is minimal compared with the inconvenience and safety consequences of a flat tire or other tire failure.