Attorney General Tom Corbett Urges Consumers to Check their Vehicles for Potentially Dangerous Tires

Attorney General Tom Corbett is warning consumers about potentially dangerous tires manufactured in China and imported by Foreign Tire Sales, Inc., a tire distributor in New Jersey. 

According to information provided by Foreign Tire Sales, Inc. ("FTS") to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, certain models of Westlake, Compass and YKS tires for SUVS and light trucks tires have insufficient gum strips or are missing gum strips which prevent tire treads or belts from separating from the tire.

FTS recently announced a recall of the affected tires.  Under the recall, consumers may return the tires to the dealer where they were purchased or bring the tires to other tire dealers willing to replace them.  The tires will be replaced with light truck radial tires of comparable value and the same size at no cost to consumers.  Consumers must seek replacement of these tires before October 25, 2007.

The specific tires covered by the recall are listed on the FTS' website, www.foreigntire.com.  Consumers can also call the company's hotline (888) 899-9293 for information. 

Attorney General Corbett urges all consumers to check their vehicles to ensure they are not driving on potentially unsafe tires.  Pennsylvania consumers should keep the following tire safety tips in mind:

• At least once a month, and before every long trip, inspect tires for patterns of uneven wear that could damage your tires.  Check tire inflation pressure in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.  Also check that there is no separation between the tire treads and the body of the tire.
• Do not overload your vehicle.  Excess weight can place extra stress on your tires. Check your vehicle or owner's manual for the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can safely carry.
• Develop safe driving habits.  Observe speed limits and avoid fast stops, starts, and turns.  Avoid contact with potholes, object, and curbs when driving or parking your vehicle.
• Keep your vehicle properly maintained.  Rotate tires regularly, get your wheels balanced, and get a front end alignment as necessary.
• Use the proper tires for your vehicle.  Check the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations before replacing a tire with a different size and/or construction.
• Be aware of how the outside temperature affects your tires.  Hot weather can be especially hard on tires, causing them to expand.  As the outside temperature drops 10 degrees, tire pressure drops about one or two pounds per square inch.
• Have any tire problems checked out by professionals.  If you find that one of your tires is losing pressure, take it to a tire expert for a complete inspection.
• Be careful when buying used tires.  It is possible that some used tire dealers may try to capitalize on this situation by re selling tires subject to this recall.  Check used tire numbers and do not buy any that are specified in the recall announcement.

For additional information this recall, and tire safety in general, consumers can visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. 

For information about the recall of other consumer products, visit the website of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, http://www.cpsc.gov/