Tire Wise, Environmentally Smart

What Shape Are Your Tires In?

Through proper tire care, you can help make a difference to reduce global warming, save energy, and save money. Underinflated tires can make a difference on your gas mileage, costing you money every time you fill up at the pump. They can become a safety hazard and cause injury.

Extend the Life Span of Your Tires

• Check the air pressure in your tire at least once a month.
• Regularly check the tread depth of your tires.
• Rotate your tires every 6,000 miles as a rule of thumb.
• Practice good driving habits. Observe speed limits, steer clear of potholes and debris on the road.
• Finally, be alert to changes in vehicle handling, and look for uneven wear on your tires.

Know How to Check and Adjust Your Tire Pressure

• Review your vehicle owner's manual or the driver's side door sticker to determine the proper tire pressure.
• Check the air pressure only when your tires are cool, before you drive.
• After you remove the valve cap, firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
• If the pressure is low add air until you achieve the recommended air pressure.
• If your tire is above the recommended tire pressure or you accidentally overfill it, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with the tire gauge tool, a fingernail, or the tip of a pen. Recheck the pressure until its right.
• Replace the valve cap when you're done.
• Repeat with each tire, and don't forget the spare. You'll be glad you checked the spare if you get a flat tire in the "middle of nowhere"!
• While you're checking the pressure, take a moment to give your tires a good inspection. Listen for leaks, check for nails or other objects embedded in the tires, look for cuts or gouges, uneven wear, bulges, tread separation, and other irregularities.

What Can You Do to Help Prevent Tire Waste?

California generates more than 41 million waste tires annually. Although 75 percent of them are recycled, the remaining waste tires constitute a yearly 10-million-tire stockpile in need of meaningful places to go.

• Buy Longer-Lasting Tires--When buying new tires, think long-term. Higher-mileage tires may cost more up front, but in the long run you will save money, especially if you follow the steps listed above.
• Consider Retreaded Tires--Retreaded tires are currently available for light trucks and commercial vehicles. If enough people ask for them, they will become available for passenger cars. Ask your local distributor if retreads are available for your vehicle.
• Reuse/Recycle Tires--Be sure your damaged or worn tires are properly managed. When you buy new tires, leave the old ones with the dealer; the dealer will see that the tires are reused, recycled, or disposed of properly. If you have old tires around your property, check with your local environmental health or waste management department to find out where you can take them. Keep an eye out for local cleanup days. Call 1-800-CLEANUP for more information or visit Earth 911.
• Purchase Tire-Derived Products--There are a variety of products on the market available for purchase made from recycled tires, such as; playground safety surfaces, equestrian arena surfaces, mulch, soil amendment, and weed abatement mats, roof shingles, and new tires that contain recycled rubber. Check for all kinds of recycled-content products on our website.

How Else Can You Help?

Rubber from waste tires is used in many applications, such as school tracks and sports surfaces and civil engineering projects, rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) in your roads, and other highway uses.

• Call your local public works department and ask if you have rubber roads made from RAC in your area. RAC extends the life of pavement, quiets road noise, and provides better traction.
• Check with your school district and see if it is replacing old playground and track surfaces with safer rubberized material.
• Write the politicians who represent you and ask them to support statewide purchasing of products made with recycled rubber.

Remember, it's in your best interest to take good care of your tires. It could even save your life!

Public Service Announcements

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• Tire Facts | Frequently Asked Questions