= (NAPSA)—Whenever you hit the road, it’s your car’s tires that hit it first, so it’s important they be in good shape. @ Buyer Beware: Unsafe Used T For Sale = The Problem Unfortunately, bald, damaged, unsafe used tires are available for sale in every state. New tires must meet stringent federal safety standards to be sold in the U.S. In fact, USS. tire testing standards are the toughest in the world. Worn-out tires that have been removed from service can be resold as “used, how- ever, with virtually no restrictions. A Solution The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), the national trade organization for tire manufacturers, suggests there should be a law againstthat. “We are workingto educate policymakers and consumers about the dangers of unsafe used tires and will advocate state laws to prohibit the sale of used tires with conditions that pose a significant motorist safety risk, said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president. “Consumers may think used tires are a bargain, but saving a few dollars isn’t worth the risk if your choice includes a worn-out or damagedtire. To demonstrate the problem, RMAandits members purchased several examples of unsafe used tires from used-tire stores. Each tire exhibited one or more condi- Some usedtires are simply not road worthy. tions that are clearly unsafe: worn-out, visible damage to the tread or other portionsofa tire, or being improperly repaired. WhatTo Watch Out For Tires worn to 2/32 of an inch are considered bald and are dangerous. Such tires no longer provide sufficient grip on the road, particularly under wet conditions. Tires with damage exposing steel belts or other internal components threaten a tire’s structural integrity. Improperly repaired tires can suffer loss of inflation pressure or have hidden damage that may contributeto tire failure. “Any used tire is a risky proposition since it’s impossible to know the service history of a tire used by someoneelse, Zielinski advised. Learn More For further facts and tips on tire safety, visit www.rma.org.
