AKRON, Ohio, June 4, 2010 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will enlist its famous airship fleet to remind motorists that June 6-12 is National Tire Safety Week.  The three Goodyear blimps – Spirit of America, based in Carson, Calif.; Spirit of Goodyear, based in Akron, Ohio; and Spirit of Innovation, based in Pompano Beach, Fla.; will fly with specially designed day and night messages beginning today. 

Tire care messages such as: “Keep your tires properly inflated,” “Check the air pressure monthly or before a long trip,” and “Check your tires’ tread wear and rotate your car’s tires every 3-5,000 miles,” will be programmed on the airships’ EagleVision message boards.

After all, says Jim Scarborough, Goodyear’s district manager, consumer sales, “Properly inflated tires will help save you money and provide your family with enhanced driving performance on the road.” 

Goodyear’s high-resolution aerial signs are capable of super-brilliant text, smooth animation and video display.  With 3,780 boards holding a total of 82,656 LEDs, messages can be read from more than a quarter mile away.  More than half of the messages displayed on the Goodyear blimps help to support national and local non-profit organizations. 

As corporate ambassadors and national icons, Goodyear’s airships often make appearances on television, serving as promotional tools for the tire company as they deliver aerial coverage of entertainment and sporting events.  The blimps also promote Goodyear’s business by supporting customers and helping charities to raise awareness of their activities in communities around the country.

Sponsored by the Rubber Manufacturers Association, National Tire Safety Week is a public service campaign that promotes proper tire maintenance. 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.

 “Recent studies have shown that many motorists simply do not regularly check their tires’ air pressure. It is important to carry an accurate tire pressure gauge and, of course, a properly inflated spare tire when traveling this summer,” said Fred Cooper, Goodyear marketing manager.

Goodyear recommends motorists check their tire inflation at least monthly or before a 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 Goodyear’s Cooper, another way consumers can potentially benefit from increased fuel efficiency is by choosing a tire such as Goodyear’s Assurance Fuel Max. This tire has a fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls. This helps to save 2,600 miles’ worth of gas over the life of a set of tires.*

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 57 facilities in 23 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, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

 (*2,600 miles based on a 4% fuel economy improvement on a 65,000-Mile Tread Life Limited Warranty, as compared to the standard Goodyear Assurance tire tested on P195/65R15 size – 2008 Honda Civic. Actual results may vary based on when the tires are replaced, driving and road conditions, and proper tire maintenance.)