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(NAPSI)-Maintaining proper tire pressure is important to your vehicle's safety, particularly when cold temperatures can decrease air pressure in tires, leading to inefficient and unsafe vehicle operation.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 660 people die and another 33,000 are injured annually in crashes related to tire problems. Yet a recent tire industry survey found that 85 percent of drivers fail to properly check tire pressure.
In addition to improper inflation, poorly maintained and improperly used tires can be dangerous. ACDelco, a global leader in automotive replacement parts and related services, recommends that drivers keep these tire safety tips in mind:
• Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too much deflection, potentially causing a blowout or a serious accident. Always follow the directions in your owner's manual about how to properly load your vehicle.
• Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires. Underinflation occurs naturally and is accelerated in cold weather, with tires losing one to two pounds of air per month on average. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance. It's like driving with the parking brake on and can cost up to two miles per gallon. Check all tires frequently to maintain the recommended pressure as listed on the vehicle's tire placard (the yellow and white sticker in the driver's door opening). Tire pressure should be checked when tires are "cold," meaning your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or you've driven it no more than a mile.
• Overinflated tires are more likely to give a harsh ride and exhibit rapid tread wear in the center of the tire. Keep tires at recommended pressure.
• Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your tread is badly worn or if your tires have been damaged, replace them.
Federal law mandates that all new light-duty vehicles manufactured in North America must now be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which alerts drivers via an on-dashboard light when the air pressure in one or more tires drops 25 percent below the recommended pounds per square inch (psi).
If your vehicle was produced before the 2008 model year, it might not be equipped with a TPMS. Motorists should get their tires checked and vehicles serviced at a service center that has ASE-certified technicians. To find an ACDelco parts retailer nearby, visit acdelco.com or call 1-800-ACDelco.