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Cooper Tire Encourages Vacationers to Check Tires Before Summer Travel
Preventive Maintenance Takes Less Than 10 Minutes a Month to Conduct
FINDLAY, OHIO — JULY 1, 2010 — With the number of people driving to summer vacation destinations predicted to increase this year, COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (NYSE: CTB) recommends that tire maintenance top travel checklists. Industry reports indicate that 11 percent — or about 28 million vehicles — have at least one bald tire, and 55 percent of vehicles have at least one underinflated tire,1 making tire maintenance a summer essential.
"Regular maintenance of tires should become part of every driver's normal routine," said Chuck Yurkovich, vice president of global technology for Cooper Tire. "It is very important that people engage in simple, easy maintenance at least once a month and prior to long trips."
Before hitting the road this summer, Cooper Tire advises drivers to conduct do-it-yourself maintenance checks, examining tires for proper inflation, damage or excessive wear and tear.
The only piece of a vehicle to touch the road is the tires, making tire tread — a key factor in handling, cornering, accelerating and braking — a vital part of overall tire maintenance. Tire tread depth should be more than 2/32 of an inch deep all around the tire and drivers can check this by using a U.S. penny. Insert the edge of the coin into the tread with Lincoln going in headfirst. If the top of Lincoln's head is covered by tread that means there is an acceptable amount of tread, if the top of his head is visible at any location on the tire, the tire is worn out and it's time to replace it.
While examining the tread, also look for signs of uneven wear or damage such as cuts, cracks, splits, punctures and bulges. These conditions shorten the life of tires and if not corrected, further tire damage or air loss may occur.
Tire pressure also plays a critical role in the overall performance of tires as underinflation creates excessive stress on the tire, while overinflation can cause uneven wear in addition to handling and braking issues. A common myth is that the tire pressure listed on the sidewall is the optimal pressure, while in reality it is the maximum pressure. Drivers should follow the guidelines found in the vehicle owner's manual or tire placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door, trunk or fuel door.
"Ongoing preventive maintenance is the best method to maximize tire performance and provide greater traction for stopping power, handling and increasing gas mileage," Yurkovich said.
Should any of these checks reveal the need for required maintenance — or when in doubt about the condition of their tires — drivers should take vehicles to a tire dealer for a professional inspection. For more information on proper tire maintenance, visit www.coopertire.com.
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world. For more information on Cooper Tire, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire, or twitter.com/coopertire.
Company Contact: Michelle Zeisloft, 419-423-1321