SACRAMENTO – The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) reminds motorists to check their tire pressure monthly.

“By taking a few minutes once a month to check tire pressure, California drivers can significantly increase the safety and fuel economy of their vehicle,” said Margo Reid Brown, CIWMB Board chair. “This quick and simple maintenance will also extend the life of your tires, helping you save money while reducing the number of scrap tires that must be recycled and kept out of landfills.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, keeping tires at the proper inflation level can save drivers $100 to $200 in gas each year; consumer savings also come from less frequent replacement of tires. And this will allow drivers to reduce the generation of scrap tires, currently 44 million a year statewide.

Tires that are properly inflated and maintained also contribute to the overall safety of a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

“Tens of millions of U.S. motorists are currently driving on under inflated tires,” said Daniel Zielinski of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). “It is our hope that by educating drivers about proper tire maintenance, we can help protect them and their passengers.”

RMA recently surveyed more than 5,300 passenger vehicles nationwide and found that almost half had at least one under inflated tire. One in five vehicles had at least one significantly under inflated tire that can compromise safety and waste gas.

In addition to the tire pressure survey, RMA commissioned a poll of registered drivers to gauge their knowledge of proper tire maintenance. While most drivers believe that checking tire pressure is one of the top actions they can take to save fuel, 82 percent do not know how to properly check tires.

To properly check tire pressure, motorists should check once each month; check tires when cold – before the vehicle is driven; and use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure found on a label located on the driver’s door or door post, or check the owner’s manual.