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(ARA) - How often do you check your tires for wear and proper air pressure? If you’re like most Americans, not often enough. A September 2006 survey by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) found the majority of motorists are not paying enough attention to the only component that keeps a car on the road: the tires.
According to the survey, only 15 percent of drivers properly check their tire pressure regularly, inflating them to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure; 26 percent of drivers mistakenly believe the best time to check their tires is when they are warm after being driven several miles; and only 36 percent of drivers know where to find the recommended tire pressure for their vehicle --- it is in the owner's manual, and also usually printed on a tire information decal attached to the driver's door jamb.
In an effort to raise awareness and promote driving safety, Kumho Tire USA of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., recently launched a line of aroma tires. The tread of the Ecsta DX tires are embedded with heat resistant oils to ensure lavender remains in the air for thousands of miles.
Marissa Braun bought the tires to personalize her car. “I buy candles and perfume because I like things to smell good,” said the 18-year-old Cleveland resident. “Scented tires are a way to give my car a touch of my personality.”
“Consumers don’t check their tires enough,” says Rick Brennan, Brand Director for Kumho Tire USA. “If putting scent into the tires makes drivers notice their tires more often when they get in and out of the car, then it will be a good thing for consumers.”
Checking tire pressure frequently isn’t the only safety measure you should take with your tires. You should also regularly:
* Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or trauma. Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects wedged in the tread.
* Make sure your tire valves have valve caps.
* Check your tires’ tread depth.
* Rotate your tires every 5,000 miles to get the longest life out of them.
The aromatic Ecsta DX tires are designed for such touring sedans as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Subaru Outback and Chrysler Sebring; and Lavendar isn’t the only scent they come in. The tires are also available in neroli (orange) and jasmine. But sorry guys, the scents you requested while the company was doing research -- barbeque, hot dog and popcorn -- won’t be available anytime soon.
You can find Kumho tires at dealers nationwide. Log on to www.kumhotireusa.com to find the dealer nearest you.