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Tire safety takes off
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August 30, 2000: 7:04 p.m. ET
Recent recall case sparks concern over tire care and maintenance
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Up until recently, the issue of tire safety has taken a back seat with many motorists.
However, with the recent Firestone tire recall, the care and maintenance of tires has come under intense scrutiny. Experts say the quality of tires has improved over the years and, ironically, that is causing problems of its own. 
"Tires have become so good and carefree, people tend to ignore them," said David Van Sickle, AAA's director of automotive and consumer information.
All tires sold today are required to meet federal safety standards, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers guidelines on purchasing tires.
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading System has been designed to help consumers make relative comparisons among tires, rating them in three areas:
· Tread-wear: a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire under test conditions. So a tire graded 200 should have its useful tread last twice as long as a tire graded 100. However, real-world tire-tread life depends upon actual conditions.
· Traction: the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement. Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are "AA," "A," "B" and "C."
· Temperature resistance: the tire's resistance to heat and ability to dissipate heat when tested under laboratory conditions. Sustained high temperature can cause tires to degenerate, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grades, running from highest to lowest, are "A," "B" and "C."
The grades can be found on the label fixed to the tread and molded into the sidewalls. Brochures explaining the tire grades can also be found at tire stores. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading Report lists information on most brands of tires.
Tire Sale
Consumer Reports put together a checklist on what to look for when buying new tires. The list includes:
· Try to replace the tires on your vehicle with the same type of tires that were installed at the factory. Consult your owner's manual for more information.
· All-season tires are best for most consumers driving passenger cars. They provide a good combination of grip on wet and dry roads and in light snow.
· Don't buy more tire than you need. Nearly all tire makers offer a range of all-season tire models, typically defined by the tread-wear warrantee. Economy tires typically carry a tread-wear warranty of no more than 40,000 miles. Near-premium tires, the biggest market segment, have tread-wear warranties of 60,000 to 70,000 miles. Premium tires are good for 80,000 miles and up.
· Buy the freshest tires possible, since tires can crack and harden with age. Every tire carries a U.S. Department of Transportation serial number on the sidewall, such as DOT M6 RV T1HR 499. The last three digits are a date code indicating the year the tire was made—in this case, the 49th week of 1999.
Click on the following links for tips from CNNfn.com's Consumer Strategies section on how to handle the tire recall:
A Long Wait for New Tires - Aug. 11, 2000
Handling the Tire Recall - Aug. 9, 2000
Firestone: lawyers delight - Aug. 30, 2000
Tire Maintenance
Van Sickle of AAA said inflation pressure is probably the most important issue in maintaining your tires and should be checked on a regular basis. He suggested timing this with your car's oil change or some other routine procedure so that you won't forget about it. Check the spare as well.
Low tire pressure causes the tire to wear more quickly and hurts fuel economy as well. Also, under-inflated tires can generate more heat and become a safety hazard.
"Heat is the natural enemy of rubber in general and tires in particular," Van Sickle said. "Overheating leads to tread separation and blowouts."
Another problem is a misaligned steering mechanism, which usually happens when you hit a pothole or a curb. You will often feel a vibration in the steering wheel and notice your tires are not wearing evenly.
Consumer Reports also put together a list of how you should take care of your vehicle's tires. These tips include:
· Recommended tire pressures are usually found on a placard mounted on the vehicle's doorjamb or fuel filter door. The manufacturer may recommend a different tire pressure for the front tires and the rear tires.
· Do not—repeat—do not use the pressure embossed on the tire sidewall. That's the maximum pressure and most often not what the manufacturer recommends for the vehicle.
· Check tread wear using  the "penny test." The distance between the top of Lincoln's image and the edge of the penny is 2/32 of an inch—the minimum acceptable tread depth. Put the coin in one of the grooves and if you can see the top of Lincoln's image, the tire should be replaced. Do this for all four tires. You may also buy tools for measuring tread depth at auto parts stores.
· Visually inspect all four tires monthly for signs of trouble. Look for cuts, cracks, bumps and bulges in each tire, checking both the sidewall and tread. Under-inflated tires wear more on the outside edges. Over-inflated tires wear excessively in the center of the tread. Cars with alignment problems may have uneven tread wear, with excessive wear on one side or the other.
· Ask your local auto repair shop or tire dealer for help if you can't check the tire pressure or inspect the tire yourself.
· Don't overload your vehicle. One reason S/UV's are popular is they carry plenty of people and cargo, but don't exceed the manufacturer's recommendations for maximum loads.
Blowout Blues
If the worst happens and you get a flat or suffer a blowout, don't panic -- don't slam on the brakes or twist the steering wheel. This may be easier advice to give than to take, but it is important. Experts say you should do the following:
· Take a firm grip on the wheel and check for traffic before attempting to slow down or change lanes. When it's safe to do so, gently apply the brakes and steer the car to the side of the road and onto the shoulder.
· If there is no shoulder, slow down, but keep driving until you reach an area where you can safely stop your vehicle. Driving on a flat may damage a wheel, but that's better than risking an accident.
· Pull your car off the pavement and as far away from traffic as possible. Turn on the emergency flashers.
· Put out safety reflectors or flares if you have them.
· Be careful when getting out of your vehicle to avoid being hit by other motorists. Try to get out from the passenger side of the car if possible. 
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