This brochure is reproduced in part below. It can be obtained and downloaded from
NHTSA, free of charge, from the following web site:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/tiresindex.html
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.
BASIC TIRE MAINTENANCE
Properly maintained tires improve the steering, stopping, traction, and load-carrying
capability of your vehicle. Underinflated tires and overloaded vehicles are a major cause
of tire failure. Therefore, as mentioned above, to avoid flat tires and other types of tire
