Industry advancements in tire technology make today's tire performance better than ever, but delaying maintenance and driving on worn treads can compromise safety on the road.
Key Highlights
- Worn-out tires are 3x more likely to be involved in a crash than tires with sufficient tread depth, according to NHTSA.
- 12% of all passenger vehicles in the United States built between model 2004-2011 have at least one tire underinflated by at least 25%
- Every vehicle has a recommended tire pressure, located in the owner’s manual or the driver’s side door frame placard.
- For every 10°F change in temperature, tire pressure can change by about 1 to 2 PSI.
- The U.S. Department of Energy reports that keeping car tires at recommended pressure levels can improve gas mileage by up to 3%.
- Properly inflating tires can save up to 11 cents per gallon on gas.
- Additional proper tire maintenance, such as rotation, balance and alignment, can extend the average life of a tire by 4,700 miles.
USTMA 2025 Survey Highlights
According to a 2025 USTMA survey*, only 77% of U.S. drivers surveyed are aware they should check their tire pressure at least once per month, meaning more than 1 in 5 drivers may not be checking tire pressure often enough to drive safely.
- Only 46% of drivers surveyed correctly identified where to find their cars’ required tire pressure. The recommended tire pressure can be found on the driver’s side door or the vehicle manual. Incorrect responses included on the tires themselves (chosen by 35% of respondents) and the car dashboard (10% of respondents).
- Roughly 1 in 6 drivers are unaware that tires have built-in tread wear indicators; these tire-wear bars make it easier for drivers to inspect a tire’s tread depth.
- Conversely, 84% of drivers surveyed are fully or somewhat aware of the built-in tread wear indicators on their tires, which can help drivers determine when tires need to be replaced.
Mobility Trends
- Drivers logged 3.324 trillion miles in 2025, marking a 0.9% increase compared to 2024 and setting a new annual travel record, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
- Licensed drivers drive an average of about 13,600 miles per year. That annual mileage translates to roughly 1,130 miles per month, or a 37-mile daily round trip.
- 69% of Americans say they’re likely to take an overnight road trip more than 100 miles from home this summer, up from 58% last summer.
- 94.2% of U.S. residents 16 and older drove at least occasionally in 2024, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
- Cars are still our primary means of travel, with 73% of American commuters using their own car to get to and from work.
- Alternatives to personal cars also involve motorized vehicles, including public transportation, rideshare and taxi services, carpooling and motorcycling.
- When it comes to purchasing tires, seasonal readiness and local climate considerations are significant drivers of purchase decisions.
- Across the country, 54% of respondents in an October 2025 Hankook Tire survey said they planned to purchase tires before the end of the year.
- Nearly two-thirds (63%) of this group planned to purchase all-season tires, followed by a quarter (25%) of drivers who are opting for all-weather offerings.
- 9 in 10 U.S. drivers who currently don't have all-weather tires equipped on their vehicles are likely to research all-weather tires before their next tire purchase.
- Across the country, 54% of respondents in an October 2025 Hankook Tire survey said they planned to purchase tires before the end of the year.
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*Survey Methodology
The USTMA survey was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 respondents (aged 16+) across the US that have a valid driver's license and drive a vehicle at least once a month. The data was collected between June 10, 2025 and June 13, 2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.