June 2-8, 2013 is National Tire Safety Week. In honor of this week, Bridgestone is sharing some helpful tips for safe tires and safe travel:

“This spring and summer, many families will take to the roads to enjoy time away from school and work,” said Gregg Trosper, Manager, Consumer Education, Bridgestone Americas. ” Our tires are the only parts of the car that touch the road, so checking tread and proper inflation is critical to help ensure safe road travel.”

Bridgestone has a helpful way to remember the essentials of good tire maintenance: Inflate, Rotate, Evaluate. In following these simple steps, drivers will be able to drive safely and confidently, on vacation and day to day.

• Inflate: Proper tire inflation is a critical aspect of tire maintenance. Tires may lose up to one psi per month under normal conditions. Three out of four drivers wash their cars monthly, but one out of seven checks tire pressure correctly.
• Rotate: Scheduled tire rotations also help prevent irregular and premature tire wear. An estimated 40% of drivers do not rotate tires within the recommended interval, which is at least 5,000 miles.
• Evaluate: Make it a habit to look for signs of tread wear or damage. The “penny test” is an easy way to check tread wear. Remember, if Lincoln’s head is visible when you place the penny in the treads, the tires are too worn and need to be replaced.

If you just can’t remember to check tire pressure, Bridgestone can help. Visit www.tiresafety.com to sign up for a free monthly email to remind you to check your air pressure. You will also find a wealth of information and advice, as well as an Interactive Tire Pressure Demo.