WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Rubber Manufacturers Association announced the ninth annual National Tire Safety Week will be held June 6-12, 2010.

The annual event is an initiative of the RMA's "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. RMA is the national trade association for tire manufacturers.

Tire manufacturers and retailers nationwide will work to educate motorists about proper tire care and maintenance. RMA provides tire retailers, auto dealers and automotive repair shops with free "Be Tire Smart" brochures and other materials. Many participating retail outlets use the opportunity to promote tire care through advertising, promotions, free tire pressure checks and media outreach.

More than 21,000 tire dealers, auto dealers and automotive repair shops participated during the 2009 National Tire Safety Week. RMA released a survey of more than 5,400 vehicles that showed half with at least one under inflated tire. Nearly 20 percent of vehicles had at least one tire under-inflated by eight pounds per square inch (psi). Under-inflated tires waste fuel, risk safety and cause tires to wear out faster.

Partners in the Be Tire Smart program include tire retailers, auto dealers, safety advocates and state government agencies. Among the list of Be Tire Smart partners are: AAA, American Car Care Centers (ACCC), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Big 10 Tires, Belle Tire, Big O Tires, Costco, Discount Tire Co., Dunn Tire, Expert Tire, Firestone Complete Auto Care, GCR Tire Centers, Goodyear Auto Centers, Hyundai Motor America, Just Tires, Kaufman Tire, Les Schwab, Merchant's Tire, Motorist Assurance Program, Recreational Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation, National Tire and Battery (NTB), National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Northwest Tire, Peerless Tires, Pep Boys, Sears Automotive Centers, STS Tire and Auto Centers, Sullivan Tire and Auto Service, Tire Factory, Tire Industry Association (TIA), Tire Kingdom, Tire One, Tires Plus, Tire Warehouse, Town Fair Tires, VIP Parts, Tires and Service, Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express and many others.

Tire and auto retailers who are interested in obtaining free RMA materials for National Tire Safety Week can order them online at www.betiresmart.org. Those who have participated in the event before can expect to receive materials again this year.

The Be Tire Smart program is funded by RMA's tire manufacturer members: Bridgestone Americas Inc., Continental Tire North America Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Michelin North America Inc., Pirelli North America Inc., Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., and Yokohama Tire Corp.

For more information on the Be Tire Smart Program and National Tire Safety Week, visit www.betiresmart.org.