The number of Canadian drivers rolling on improperly inflated tires has fallen dramatically since 2003 – a plus for both road safety and fuel efficiency – according to a new study by the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) to mark National Be Tire Smart Week.
May 17 to 23 is National Be Tire Smart Week in Canada, during which the tire industry, including retailers, distributors and manufacturers, will be reminding motorists about the safety, fuel efficiency and environmental benefits of proper tire inflation and maintenance.
The study, conducted for the RAC by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, found that 49% of the vehicles inspected had at least one tire that was under- or over-inflated – a vast improvement over the 2003 driver survey found that 71% of vehicles tested had one or more improperly inflated tires.
The percentage of drivers with tires underinflated by 20% or more also declined significantly – to 10% from 23% reported in 2003.
“Properly inflated tires deliver the exceptional performance that tiremakers want every consumer to have,” says Glenn Maidment, RAC president. “Drivers need to know that improperly inflated tires increase stopping distance; lessen vehicle stability, particularly when cornering; waste fuel and shorten tire life. All it takes to get the outstanding performance your tires are designed to deliver is a reliable tire gauge and five minutes each month to measure and, if necessary, adjust your tire pressures.”
While there has been improvement in driver knowledge, fewer Canadian drivers (30% vs. 39% in 2003) are checking their tire inflation monthly, RAC said.
The RAC attributed the rising number of vehicles with properly inflated tires to the dramatic upswing in winter tire changeovers in recent years, public education about the fuel efficiency benefits of proper tire inflation and the growing use of tire pressure monitoring systems.
For the survey, motorists in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Sherbrooke and Fredericton were interviewed at service stations by engineering students, who also checked tire inflation levels and tread depth.
While the survey’s findings clearly show that Canadian drivers are more knowledgeable about their tires, the study also revealed major information gaps that need to be filled.
The survey, for example, found that, while 52% of drivers knew how to locate the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure (owner’s manual or vehicle placard), 9% did not know and 26% wrongly believed that the pressure stamped on the sidewall.
Fifty-nine percent of Canadian drivers said they rely on a visual inspection to tell them if their tire pressures should be measured.
