Tire care is a year-long commitment

As part of its annual tire-care awareness program, the Rubber Manufacturers Association publishes some stark statistics on tires, most of which highlight consumers’ need to maintain their cars’ tires.

It’s good timing, given the number of road-trips planned for summer vacations.

The RMA’s acronym slogan “Be Tire Smart—Play Your PART,” stands for “Pressure-Alignment-Rotation-Tread.” Download a free copy of the program brochure at RMA.

Here’s the crib sheet:

Pressure

Check your tire pressure monthly, and do it when the rubber is cold. To do this, you will need to buy a tire gauge. Check our tire-pressure gauge buying guide and Ratings.

Set the pressure to the specifications detailed by the vehicle manufacturer. The correct pressures for your vehicle are found on the driver’s doorjamb placard—not on the tire. Don’t forget to check the pressure in the spare tire while you’re at it.

You may want to consider getting a portable compressor that plugs into your vehicle’s power outlet. This means you don’t have to hunt for a gas station to top off a low tire. Keep in mind that tires naturally lose air over time and their pressure decreases further in cold weather.

Read about the five signs your tire is kaput, find out which brands make the best tires, and choose the right all-season tires.

Alignment

Have your vehicle’s alignment checked when you are buying new tires, and as recommended by your vehicle owner’s manual. After a tough winter of traversing pothole-strewn roads, your wheels may be out of whack.