Have most drivers forgotten about tire safety because last year's big Ford Explorer-Firestone tire controversy has faded?

Tires are the only thing between a car or truck and the road. And they're far more technical and complex than often thought to be.

However, a survey this year by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) found that nearly 90 per cent of drivers aren't properly checking tire pressures. It also disclosed that 66 percent don't even know where to find the proper inflation pressure information.

That's bad news because such things as improper tire pressures can seriously affect steering, handling, ride and braking--not to mention tire wear. Even exotic sports cars handle poorly with bad tire pressures. So imagine how incorrect pressures adversely affect average vehicles.

"Checking your tire pressure could literally mean the difference between life and death," said Annette Sandberg, deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Judging by large expenditures for car care products, many owners of cars and trucks keep their vehicles looking good--and ignore tires.

That situation exists partly because tires are far better than they were several decades ago, when people paid more attention to them because tire failures were a lot more common. Also, service stations once had attendants who checked tire pressures. Most fuel outlets no longer even offer free air to inflate tires, let alone attendants.

Just looking at a tire tells you nothing about its inflation, unless it is completely flat. Passenger vehicles now have radial tires, and such tires can lose up to half of their air pressure and not appear to be flat, says the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Goodyear says tires play "the single largest role" in determining how a vehicle will handle in an emergency situation--"even more so than the electronic systems on a vehicle" such as anti-lock braking and traction control.

Brakes stop the wheels, but tires stop the vehicle. "There's a significant need for tire safety education, especially as we approach the busy summer driving season," said RMA President Donald Shea.

The RMA survey found that one in three drivers don't check tire pressures before taking a long trip with a fully loaded vehicle, which puts more pressure and stress on tires. It also discovered that one in four drivers incorrectly believes they're better off having tires a little underinflated when their vehicles are fully loaded--a dangerous practice that can lead to tire failure.

"Rising requests by American Automobile Association members for assistance with flat tires is a strong indicator that consumers need to become more aware of the condition of their tires before a puncture or blowout occurs," said John Nielsen, director of the AAA Auto Repair Network.

Here's a quick guide to keeping tires safe:

INFLATION: Tire inflation should be checked at least once a month, and before a long trip. Underinflation can lead to tire failure and causes unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents.

Inflation pressures specified by the vehicle manufacturer are shown on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door.

They're also in the owner's manual. Specified inflation pressures are for cold tires, so make sure tires are cool when checked. It's normal for tires to heat up and air pressure to increase as you drive. Never reduce air pressure when tires are hot.

Keep in mind that air pressure goes up in warm weather and down in cold weather--one to two pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.

How to inflate? First, remove the cap from the tire valve. Firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve and add air to get the recommended pressure. If you overfill the tire, release air bing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with the top of the gauge, fingernail or such things as a pen tip. Then recheck the pressure with a tire gauge and replace the valve cap. Some spare tires need higher inflation pressure.

Decent tire pressure gauges only cost a few dollars, and a top tire-inflation generator is about $100.

Inspect tires to make sure there are no nails or other embedded foreign objects that could cause an air leak. Also check sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.

TREAD: Advanced and unusual wear can reduced the ability of the tread to grip the road. Tires should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch to prevent skidding and hydroplaning on wet roads. Watch for built-in tread wear indicators, or "wear bars." They look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread and appear on a tire when the tread is worn to 1/16th of an inch.

Here's a test: Place a penny into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the proper amount of tread. If you see all of his head, it's time to buy a new tire.

Visually check tires for signs of uneven wear, which means trouble. There might be irregular wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas.

ALIGNMENT: Misalignment of wheels in the front or even the rear can cause rapid and uneven tire wear. Front-wheel-drive vehicles and those with an independent rear suspension call for alignment of all wheels. Have alignment checked periodically as called for by the owner's manual--or when you have an indication of trouble such as vibration or "pulling" of the vehicle to one side of the road.

Tire balance also should be periodically checked. An unbalanced tire and wheel assembly might cause irregular wear. A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw a vehicle's front end out of alignment and damage tires.

ROTATION: Each tire supports a different amount of weight, and this unequal weight distribution causes tires to wear at different rates. Rotating tires extends their useful life and preserves overall balanced handling and traction. But, if tires show uneven wear, have a tire dealer check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem involved before rotation. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual for rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

COMMON SENSE: Fast starts, stops and turns cause premature tire wear. And drivers should avoid potholes and other objects on the road. They also shouldn't run over curbs or hit tires against a curb when parking.

Vehicles should not be overloaded because that causes excessive heat inside a tire that can cause it to fail. Before loading the trunk and roof rack with cargo, check out the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for loading a car or truck on the vehicle information placard on the door post or in the owner's manual.

If properly cared for, tires can last a long time--usually from 40,000 to 80,000 miles, depending upon the application.