It’s Be Tire Smart Week in Canada, and a recent survey by the Rubber Association of Canada “identified glaring gaps” in driver knowledge about tire inflation. Those gaps come “despite finding that proper tire inflation is important to 96% of motorists,” the RAC noted.

The tire inflation and maintenance attitudinal survey was conducted by Leger on behalf of RAC member tire companies.

Some 69% of Canadian drivers still do not measure their tire pressures monthly, the poll found, and among that group 31% “believe they only need to check their tire pressure when it appears tire pressure is low;” 23% rely solely on the vehicle’s TPMS to tell them when its time to air up; and 21% don’t even know that they should do monthly pressure checks.

The Leger survey found that 45% of drivers don’t know where to find the correct tire inflation pressure for their vehicle. Sadly, 31% said they inflate their tires to the pressure stamped on the tire sidewall, and 65% were unaware that tire pressures should only be measured when tires are cold.

“The poll also suggests that drivers may be too reliant on visual inspections and TPMS systems,” the RAC said, with 72% citing “tires look low” as a reason to check pressures, and 32% noting that say “the appearance of a warning light” motivates them to check tire pressures.

“These findings should be a wake-up call to Canadian motorists,” said Glenn Maidment, RAC president. “Drivers can guarantee optimal tire performance, lower their fuel bills and protect the environment simply by learning a few tire inflation facts and measuring air pressures monthly to ensure their tires are inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level.”

Leger surveyed 1,002 Canadian motorists online between April 7 and April 11. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of ± 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.