Learn
more about tire care with our test
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - The Tire Industry Safety Council reminds motorists to devote
more attention to taking care of their tires during National Car
Care Month and to learn more about tire care by taking the Tire
Industry Safety Council tire test below:
TEST:
1. Your
brakes stop the wheels, but the tires stop the car. (TRUE or FALSE)
2. Tire
pressure should be lowered in the winter. (TRUE or FALSE)
3. In
the tire size "P195/70R14", the number 14 means it is
a radial tire. (TRUE or FALSE)
4. A
tire with too little air pressure will wear more on the outside
of the tread. (TRUE or FALSE)
5. Tires
are not considered safe when the tread is less than 1/16 of an
inch deep. (TRUE or FALSE)
6. Overloading
a car has the same effect as having underinflated tires. (TRUE
or FALSE)
7. Every
time a tire screeches, the potential mileage is reduced. (TRUE
or FALSE)
8. The
best time to check the pressure in your tires is after a long
trip. (TRUE or FALSE)
9. Worn
tires are more likely to "hydroplane." (TRUE or FALSE)
10. While
driving, if you think you have a flat tire, pull off the road
immediately. (TRUE or FALSE)
ANSWERS:
1. True.
This is why tire care is so important. The control of your car
is only as good as the tire contact with the road.
2. False.
Tire pressure usually lowers itself in winter - dropping about
one pound for every 10 degrees the temperature falls. Check tires
regularly, particularly during the winter months to ensure that
the proper pressure is maintained.
3.
False. The letter "R" in the label "HR"
means the tire is a radial. The number "14" indicates
the rim diameter is 14 inches.
4. True.
Too little air will cause excessive wear on the outside of the
tread. Too much air pressure will cause undue wear on the middle
part of the tread.
5. True.
Many states have minimum tread depth laws that reject tires with
tread worn below 1/16 of an inch in two or more adjacent grooves.
6. True.
Most people know that driving with underinflated tires causes
excess tread wear as well as making the tire prone to failure.
But most people don't realize that overloading their car has exactly
the same effect on their tires.
7. True.
The driver who feels it is necessary to "peel out" from
a stop sign or squeal around a corner potentially has erased hundreds
of miles from the tread life of the tire.
8. False.
Tire pressure will increase while driving so it is important to
check tire pressure when tires are "cold" - in the morning
or BEFORE starting a trip.
Recommended tire pressure is always expressed as "cold tire
pressure."
9. True.
A tire's tread grooves are designed to evacuate water from under
the tread. If tires are worn, they are more likely to "hydroplane."
This means they surf along on a film of water just like a water
skier.
10. False.
It is important to come to a gradual stop if you believe you have
a flat tire. The driver should not pull off the road until he
finds a safe place. It's better to ruin a tire than risk an accident.
Provided
as a public service by Tire Industry Safety Council
