AKRON, Ohio, May 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Millions of people are anticipating their planned summer vacation trips that involve driving throughout many parts of North America. Some are heading to the beach or a lake house, others to a national park or family reunion, and there are countless additional destinations being mapped.

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During this time of heightened driving, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) is reminding motorists of the need to practice some common-sense automotive care prior to packing the suitcases and hitting the road. Goodyear predicts that many of those travelers will simply jump into their vehicles and drive, unaware of the condition of the only part of their cars that comes in contact with the road - the tires.

Officials from North America's largest tire company urge motorists to take a few minutes to inspect their tires, or to visit a local tire and service outlet for a check-up. And, according to Goodyear, the price of gasoline is even more incentive to check tire condition and air pressure before heading off on any vacation journeys.

According to Razvan Bosomoiu, Goodyear brand manager, "Underinflated tires increase vehicle fuel consumption, meaning that motorists may get less miles per gallon than with properly inflated tires. In addition, motorists should avoid tires with insufficient tread depth or structural damage."

The U.S. Department of Energy has reported that every pound per square inch of tire underinflation wastes 4 million gallons of gas daily in the U.S. "An underinflated tire doesn't roll as smoothly or as easily as it was intended, so it uses more energy, robbing the vehicle of fuel efficiency. If motorists understood this, they might realize why tire maintenance is so important," Bosomoiu said. An innovative tire, Goodyear's Assurance Fuel Max, helps drivers save gas and spend less money getting to their destination. A breakthrough fuel-saving tread compound used in the Assurance Fuel Max helps save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of a set of tires.*

Goodyear offers additional key automotive advice in advance of summer driving trips:

Keep it filtered: Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, and help protect the engine from impurities.

Don't overload: Vehicle overloading can occur when trying to jam many extra items for an extended vacation. Check the owner's manual for the maximum recommended load details. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by 1-2 percent.

Get tuned in: Before taking that long trip, visit a trusted automotive outlet and make sure your car is properly tuned. Regular vehicle maintenance can improve gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Wear a cap: The gas cap must be tight and undamaged. Approximately 17 percent of the vehicles on U.S. highways have either misused or missing gas caps, causing millions of gallons of gas to vaporize into the atmosphere.

Be smooth: Aggressive driving wastes gas and can reduce your fuel mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city. Observe the speed limit!

In addition to offering the Assurance Fuel Max line of tires, many Goodyear retailers distribute tire care brochures, and offer free tire inflation and tread inspections. Easy-to-find maintenance advice is offered at www.goodyeartires.com.

Bosomoiu reminds motorists that tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation printed on a vehicle's door placard or in the owner's manual, not the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall. The inflation pressure of tires should be checked at least monthly and before any long trips.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

* 2,600 miles based on a 4% fuel economy improvement, on 65,000 Mile Tread Life Limited Warranty, as compared to the standard Goodyear Assurance tire tested on P195/65R15 size - 2008 Honda Civic. Actual results may vary based on when tires are replaced, driving and road conditions, and proper tire maintenance.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company