Tire Safety from Nexen
Nexen Tire Joins USTMA In Promoting Tire Safety Ahead of Peak Summer Travel
With more than 61.5 million Americans expected to travel by car for the upcoming Fourth of July Weekend, Nexen encourages drivers to play their P.A.R.T. by checking tire pressure, alignment, rotation and tread.
RICHFIELD, Ohio (June 30, 2026) – National Tire Safety Week kicks off on June 29 – July 4 and over 60 million Americans are expected to hit the road across the country for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Nexen Tire supports the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and its role to educate drivers on the key items they need to check off as part of their National Tire Safety Week initiative.
For the safety awareness week, Nexen is encouraging motorists to pay close attention to a variety of factors that can affect tire performance. Underinflated tires and tread condition can affect tire performance and longevity, as well as fuel economy which is a major consideration as drivers prepare to hit the road over the holiday.
Nexen supports USTMA’s easy-to-remember P.A.R.T. tire-care message:
- Check inflation PRESSURE at least once a month and before long-distance travel.
- Have ALIGNMENT checked by a tire service professional.
- ROTATE tires according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Inspect the TREAD of each tire.
The reminder comes as Americans continue to spend more time on the road. U.S. drivers logged a record 3.324 trillion miles in 2025, while 69% of Americans say they are likely to take an overnight road trip of more than 100 miles this summer. National Tire Safety Week underscores the importance of routine tire care. According to NHTSA, worn-out tires are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than tires with sufficient tread depth. Keeping tires inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure can improve gas mileage by up to 3%, while tire rotation, balancing and alignment can extend average tire life by approximately 4,700 miles.
“Safe driving starts with tires that are properly maintained and ready for the road,” said John Hagan, Executive Vice President of Sales at Nexen Tire America. “National Tire Safety Week gives manufacturers, dealers and service professionals an important opportunity to reinforce the fundamentals of tire care. Following the P.A.R.T. guidance can help drivers identify potential issues before they compromise vehicle performance or safety.”
Nexen’s Checklist for National Tire Safety Week
Know The Recommended Tire Pressure
The first item on any motorists safety checklist should be knowing the correct recommended tire pressure for their tires. This is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) and can be found on a label on the driver’s door or in the vehicle owner’s manual.
Recent USTMA research found that only 46% of surveyed U.S. drivers correctly identified the driver-side door placard or owner’s manual as the proper source for their vehicle’s recommended tire pressure. PSI molded into the tire sidewall generally indicates the tire’s maximum pressure rather than the recommended operating pressure of the vehicle.
NEXEN Tire recommends conducting monthly inflation pressure and anytime before a long distance trip. Tire pressure should be measured when the tires are cold, meaning the vehicle has been parked for several hours or driven only a short distance. Pressure can change by approximately one to two PSI for every 10-degree Fahrenheit change in temperature, making regular inspections particularly important during periods of rapidly changing weather. Drivers should also remember that a tire-pressure monitoring system is not a replacement for routine manual inspections. In many vehicles, the warning light may not activate until a tire is already approximately 25% underinflated.
The Importance of Rotation, Balance, & Alignments
A vehicle that is properly aligned can help tires wear evenly and maintain predictable handling. Drivers should have alignment inspected by a qualified tire service professional if the vehicle pulls to one side, the steering wheel vibrates or appears off-center, or the tires show uneven wear. Motorists should be rotating and balancing their tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles and conducting alignments annually to better enhance safety as well as maximize tire investment.
Motorists should take into account rotation and alignment recommendations included in their specific vehicle owner’s manual.
Frequently Inspect Your Tread Wear
Tread wear is another top tire care item all motorists should have on their checklist. The tread of a tire plays a critical role in traction, braking and the tire’s ability to channel water away from the road-contact area. Drivers should regularly inspect the full width of each tire for uneven wear, cuts, cracks, bulges, punctures and embedded objects. Knowing your vehicle’s tread wear helps you know when it’s time to head to a shop and purchase a new set.
Tires include built-in tread-wear indicators that become level with the tread when the tire has reached its minimum allowable depth. However, approximately one in six drivers surveyed by USTMA did not know their tires had these indicators. Drivers who are uncertain about a tire’s tread depth or overall condition should have it inspected by a qualified tire service professional.
For more information on tire safety or talk with a Nexen Tire product expert, please contact media@nexentireusa.com.
About Nexen Tire:
Nexen Tire America, the U.S. arm of global tire leader NEXEN TIRE, delivers world-class tires engineered for drivers of every kind, from professional racers to daily commuters. Headquartered in Richfield, Ohio, the company develops and distributes high-performance, passenger, SUV, and light-truck tires for both original equipment and replacement markets. Backed by NEXEN’s global network of advanced manufacturing plants and R&D centers, Nexen Tire America combines cutting-edge innovation with uncompromising quality and value. In May 2021, NEXEN TIRE surpassed 500 million tires produced since 2000 without a single recall — a milestone that reflects its enduring commitment to performance, reliability, and customer trust.