AKRON, Ohio, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- To coincide with the beginning of June – the traditional kickoff of summer travel – and a national tire care observance this week, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) is urging everyone to show a little TLC toward their tires.

The number of people expected to travel by car or motorcycle this summer is an increase over the period last year, according to the automobile group AAA.

Additionally, National Tire Safety Week, held during June 1-7, is a period that emphasizes the simple steps drivers can take to ensure their tires are in good working condition. Research reveals that motorists rank tires as the second-most important safety feature in vehicles next to brakes, yet many don't know how to properly check their tire inflation pressure.

Improper air pressure in tires can lead to a multitude of problems – from uneven and accelerated tire wear, to structural damage in a tire. An underinflated tire also has the potential to affect tire performance, including making a vehicle less fuel-efficient. With temperatures rising and vacation travel commencing, the attention given to the care and maintenance of tires should be heightened, according to Goodyear officials.

"Checking tires for proper inflation and tread condition is one of the most critical – and easiest – maintenance procedures for a consumer," said John Peer, vice president of Goodyear Retail. "It doesn't take much time or sophisticated equipment. Drivers can check their tires by themselves, or any of our retail outlets would be happy to provide the service."

Goodyear-owned retail outlets and participating independent Goodyear retailers offer a service in which consumers can stop in without an appointment for a free tire check. This includes an inspection of the tread condition and tire inflation, with air added at no charge if the inflation level is down.

Goodyear recommends that motorists should check tire inflation at least monthly and before any long trip. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in the owner's manual, not the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

In addition to proper inflation, according to Peer, another way consumers can potentially benefit from increased fuel efficiency is by choosing a tire such as Goodyear's Assurance Fuel Max. Available at Goodyear retail outlets, Assurance Fuel Max has a fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls. The Fuel Max tire is available for most cars, and for many SUVs and crossovers.

Goodyear also offers many other choices, including Assurance ComforTred Touring, Assurance TripleTred All-Season, a full line of Eagle high-performance tires, and Wrangler tires for SUVs and light-trucks.

Among other initiatives from Goodyear during National Tire Safety Week are these:

• Goodyear outlets will distribute the RMA's "Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART" consumer booklets. Those guides stress the importance of inflation pressure, wheel alignment, tire rotation and visual checks of tire tread.
• On www.goodyear.com, visitors will find extensive information on tire care, product selection and more. The "Tire Care and Maintenance Guide" section contains advice on tire pressure and proper inflation, visual inspections, tire repairs, saving fuel and more.
• With their lighted message boards, Goodyear's famous blimps continue to spread the tire care message while in flight, urging consumers on the ground to check tire pressure and treadwear.
• Goodyear also is promoting the proper care and maintenance of tires through timely retail promotions. Motorists can do the work themselves or choose to have participating Goodyear stores perform basic maintenance for them. See the details at www.goodyearautoservice.com.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.  For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company