Michelin Taps American Le Mans Driver to Stress the Importance of Tire Pressure for National Tire Safety Week

Proper Tire Inflation is the Key to Tire Maintenance and Safety

GREENVILLE, S.C., April 18 -- Michelin and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) driver, Stefan Johansson, will promote tire safety and maintenance tips for National Tire Safety Week, April 20-26, 2008, focusing on proper tire inflation as the number one priority for drivers when it comes to tire safety and performance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under inflated tires are the leading cause of tire failure, which accounts for 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

"As a racecar driver, I know first-hand that proper tire maintenance is critical. Tires ensure my safety and they can greatly affect the performance of my vehicle, which is why I have a team of engineers on hand to check them when I pit. Tires are just as important off the track, but nearly 85 percent of drivers don't check their tire pressure regularly and that's a major problem," said Stefan Johansson, ALMS driver and father of three who resides in Sherman Oaks, Calif. "Tires that are not properly inflated wear unevenly, use more fuel and could fail -- causing a situation such as a blowout."

Michelin encourages drivers to visit rotation-reminder to review its online tire maintenance tips. The site offers a tire rotation reminder e-mail alert and consumers who sign up for the alert by April 30, 2008 will have an opportunity to participate in the Michelin(R) Be Safe and Check Your Tires Promotion to win a VIP trip to an American Le Mans Series race courtesy of Michelin.

"Safety is a core value for the Michelin brand, and beyond obsessively engineering our products to meet the highest safety standards, Michelin recognizes it can play a role in educating drivers about the importance of tire maintenance," said Parmeet Grover, Michelin brand director for Michelin Americas Small Tires. "Hopefully, our efforts during National Tire Safety Week and throughout the year remind drivers about the importance of ongoing tire maintenance -- an essential component to keeping them safe on the road. This year Michelin is encouraging drivers to pay more attention to their tires with the Michelin(R) Be Safe and Check Your Tires Promotion which gives them a chance to win a trip to an American Le Mans Series race if they sign-up for a free tire rotation reminder at MichelinMan.com."

With many drivers planning spring and summer road trips, Michelin reminds travelers to follow a three-point checklist that will help maintain optimal safety on the road and help the environment by increasing fuel efficiency.

-- Check Tire Pressure Before any long trip and once a month, properly check the pressure of each tire with a tire gauge. Under-inflated tires will make your tire wear unevenly and negatively impact performance. In addition, keeping your tire pressure at the recommended level can boost fuel efficiency by one mile per gallon. The car maker's recommended tire pressure can be found in several places, including near the driver's door jamb, on the glove compartment door or in the owner's manual. Do not inflate tires to the maximum pressure molded onto the tire's sidewall.

-- Check Tire Tread Depth and Replace Worn Tires In most states, the minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. If you place a penny with the top of the head facing down into your tires' shallowest groove and you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head, it's time to replace your tires.

-- Schedule Tire Rotation and Suspension Alignment Have your car's suspension re-aligned when you buy new tires, especially if you notice uneven wear or if it's been more then 10,000 miles since your last alignment. Also ask your tire dealer to rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Regular rotation extends the life of your tires which is better for the environment, makes your vehicle safer and lowers overall tire maintenance costs.

Michelin has a long standing history in motorsports racing and uses knowledge gained on the track to develop new tire technology that provides confidence for every driver that chooses Michelin tires for their vehicle. Michelin's tire expertise has resulted in winning more endurance races than any other tire manufacturer -- winning 96 percent of all races since the inception of the American Le Mans Series in 1999.

About National Tire Safety Week

National Tire Safety Week is an initiative backed by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and its members that aims to educate consumers nationwide about essential tire safety maintenance practices. In its seventh year, the annual event is part of the "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" program, a year-round effort designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition.

About American Le Mans Series

ALMS sets the stage for the future of the automobile, with races featuring the world's most highly evolved sports cars pushing the limits of speed, efficiency and endurance throughout each season. The most esteemed names in motorsports battle for the ALMS championship every year, not just for the checkered flag, but for the future of automotive technology.

About Michelin

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America MICHELIN MAN employs more than 22,300 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

For more information, visit MICHELIN MAN.