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People, please don't get hysterical about this. Yes, it is a serious problem that will be fixed, but consider this: 50 people killed over several years pales in comparison to 50,000 per year in all auto accidents. We don't pay the attention we should to proper air pressure in any of our tires. Probably the most important thing we can do to avoid problems. I check my tires about once per week regardless of whether they appear to be low or not. I put in the rated pressure (embossed on the side of the tire) if I expect to be driving only around town on short trips. For long trips, I lower the pressure two or three psi (depending on summer or winter) to compensate for heating during long high speed cruising on the interstate. There is an added benefit, longer tire life. With regular rotation, proper inflation, and proper driving habits, I get over 50,000 miles typically from a set of new tires (95,000 one time on my 75 Mustang. When I tried to replace them with identical set, found out manufacturer had discontinued that line!) I would suspect that the majority of the accidents have been from blowouts at speed well above 65 MPH. The manufacturer and safety experts say they are safe if you keep your speed below 55. Now don't get me wrong. If I owned a vehicle with these tires, I would get them replaced as soon as practical, but I wouldn't waste time wringing my hands and being scared to death to drive the vehicle. I would just change how I drive it. > ---------- > From: audrey skrzyniarz[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Friday, August 11, 2000 3:32 AM > Subject: Re: General RANT by Ken > > Ken, > > I think you said exactly the right thing serious or not. It is true what > you said about the Firestone tires too. I knew my daughter and > son-in-law had a subaru 4wd new car. When they came to see me on > Saturday, I noticed they had the Wilderness version of the Firestone > tire that they had shown on tv the night before. Neither of them had > seen this report and were quite alarmed. My daughter regularily carries > special needs children or client parents with her in her car as part of > her business as King County coordinator for Special Needs Children. She > lives in Seattle, WA and as you may know is not part of the *first > phase* of those who are having these tires replaced. I am furious that > the responsibility of the company towards all those who bought in good > faith, and whose lives are in jepoardy, are to wait until next year so > that a company can * phase* the replacements into their time frame. To > see the injuries of those who lived is enough, but to realize that > Firestone was exposed, and yet has the colossal nerve to suggest that > tire air pressure and living in the north will prevent this from > happening is appalling. It seems the bottom line and words are enough > for them whereas customers lives and future law suits are only possible > events. >