Nearly 7 out of 10 vehicles are riding on underinflated tires according to recent findings by the Rubber Manufacturers Association. The association surveyed approximately 3,300 vehicles at tire retail locations in 26 U.S. cities between November 2013 and February 2014. The survey also found that nearly one in five vehicles have at least one significantly under inflated tire.

The survey was released to coincide with RMA-sponsored National Tire Safety Week, which begins today.  The week is an opportunity for the tire industry to focus its collective efforts to educate motorists about the importance of proper tire care, said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president of public affairs.

“Too many motorists continue to ignore the only equipment on their vehicles that touch the road,” Zielinski said. “It takes just five minutes to check and properly inflate tires to optimize vehicle fuel economy and reduce the risk of tire problems.”

2014 RMA Tire Pressure Survey key findings:

•    9% of vehicles had four properly inflated tires
•    69% of vehicles had at least one underinflated tire
•    18% of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 8 psi
•    5 out of 6 motorists do not properly check tire pressure
•    2 out of 3 motorists do not check the spare tire
•    Half of all motorists do not know how tell if a tire is bald

RMA urges motorists to check inflation pressure at least once a month in addition to checking it before long trips. The association also reminds drivers to always check the spare tire.

To properly check inflation pressure, the RMA says that an individual must use a tire gauge and the tires should be checked before driving. Lastly, the association notes that the correct inflation pressure for the vehicle is found on a label on the driver’s door or owner’s manual, not on the tire sidewall.