April 26, 2006

According to recent reports, maintaining a car’s proper tire pressure will increase the fuel mileage of our cars and save up to two billion gallons of gasoline a year across the country. Also, routine tire maintenance helps the environment and saves by extending the life of a tire and reducing the number of scrap tires generated.

In an effort to raise awareness of these important issues, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently proclaimed April 23-29, 2006, Tire Safety Week in Michigan. The Department of Environmental Quality is urging Michigan residents to properly maintain tires by checking their inflation pressure at least once per month and before long trips, routinely checking wheel alignment, rotating tires every 6,000-8,000 miles, and checking tire treads regularly.

“These are simple measures that all of us can take to help the environment and save money at the same time,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “Reducing the amount of scrap tires we generate will help reduce the costs and risks of their disposal.”

For additional information, contact the DEQ’s Scrap Tire Regulatory Program at 517 241 2924, or on the Web at http://www.michigan.gov/deq (Click on “Waste,” “Scrap Tires,” and under “Information,” click on “Check Your Tire Pressure”).

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised April 26, 2006 by Pat Watson