Drivers can take advantage of a free tire care check at the Firestone Tire & Service Center at 408 Galleria Drive on Tuesday, April 27 between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM. The tire care clinic will offer motorists a free inflation pressure and tread depth check plus an opportunity to learn proper tire care and maintenance. The tire check clinic is a part of RMA’s National Tire Safety Week, April 25 – May 1.

Firestone is also hosting a Car Care Academy that day, and nationally recognized automotive authority Trisha Hessinger will be on hand to educate consumers about automobile safety and awareness and provide tips on how to save money and time through proper car care fundamentals. The Car Care Academy is also at the Firestone Tire & Service Center and runs from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

"RMA research shows that American drivers do not know enough about proper tire care," said Donald B. Shea, RMA President and CEO. "This free tire care event will help Johnstown drivers become more aware of the importance of checking their tires."

Other findings from RMA’s 2004 study include:

"Learning the basics of car care is important for all consumers regardless of age or gender. Whether consumers come to our Car Care Academy to learn about staying safer on the road, prolonging the life of their vehicle or simply to feel more confident the next time they take their vehicle in to be serviced, they will all leave feeling more empowered than when they came," said Hessinger.

Shea also noted that high gasoline costs can be reduced with properly inflated tires. "Keeping tires properly inflated improves gas mileage and saves money," he said.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drivers can improve their gas mileage by about 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. In 1995, the U.S. Department of Energy said under-inflated tires wasted 4 million gallons of gasoline daily – or nearly 1.5 billion gallons annually – in America.  At today's prices, that's over $2 billion dollars a year in additional gasoline costs.

"We welcome all drivers to come and learn firsthand about proper tire care," said Tim Hurst, manager of Firestone Tire & Service Center. "Using RMA's simple tire care tips, consumers can maximize their vehicle safety, achieve better fuel economy and get the most wear from their tires."

RMA launched National Tire Safety Week in April 2002 as an initiative of its Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART program. The educational program aims to teach drivers about the importance of taking simple care and maintenance steps to keep tires safe and performing at optimal levels. More than 8,400 tire dealers, automobile and safety organizations across the country are participating in National Tire Safety Week 2004. For additional tire safety tips or to learn more about National Tire Safety Week, visit www.betiresmart.org

BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) has been educating consumers on the significance of tire and vehicle maintenance for more than 30 years through its free Car Care Academies. This year, BFRC doubled the number of workshops compared to last year. These free, interactive seminars are held at Firestone Tire & Service Centers and Tires Plus stores across the United States to teach consumers what they can do on a monthly basis to help keep their cars running in better condition.

Founded in 1915, the Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association of the rubber products industry. Its membership includes more than 100 member companies that manufacture tires and other rubber products. Members include Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., Continental Tire North America, Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Michelin North America, Pirelli North America, Inc. and Yokohama Tire Corporation. All RMA press releases are available at www.rma.org.