Five Tips from TIA help drivers combat pothole damage.
Press Release Summary:
Tire Industry Association (TIA) offers 5 tips to help drivers avoid pothole-induced damage. Theses include identifying if alignment is off (pulling left/right) after hitting pothole, stopping car to inspect tire and rim for damage, and shouldering car immediately if flat occurs. TIA also urges drivers to advance slowly on roads with numerous potholes as well as ask their tire repair facility if they employ TIA-Certified Tire Technicians.
Original Press Release:
TIA has Five Tips to Combat Pothole Damage
Spring is Here, and so are the Potholes. TIA has Five Tips Drivers can use to Combat the Damage
Bowie, MD - Winter has ended, and spring is here. Unfortunately, winter's end also signals the beginning of pothole season. The Tire Industry Association (TIA), one of the world's leading authorities on tires and wheels, has five tips that drivers can use to ensure potholes don't slow them down this spring:
Tip #1: If you hit a pothole and then immediately notice the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel is no longer straight, take your car to a reputable automotive service provider. This is because there is a very good chance that your car has been knocked out of alignment, and front end components may be damaged. According to TIA's Senior Vice President of Training Kevin Rohlwing, "Misalignment is one of the main reasons for premature tire wear, so the tires on your car will wear faster and irregularly until the alignment is corrected."
Tip #2: The next time you stop the car, inspect the tire and rim for any damage. If there is a bulge or visible cord material on either sidewall of the tire, it must be replaced immediately. If the rim flange (edge of the rim) is damaged or bent, the best practice is to purchase a new rim. Rohlwing cautions, "Just because the tire is holding air doesn't mean it's safe if the sidewall or rim is damaged. The assembly could fail at any time and at any speed, so drivers should remove it immediately."
Tip #3: If you hit a pothole & you get a flat, pull to the shoulder immediately, if possible. If a tire goes flat after hitting a pothole, it's junk and will need to be replaced, but the rim may still be in good condition. Most vehicles can be driven on a completely flat tire for a short period of time without destroying the rim. But, trying to make it to the next exit or side street may damage an expensive rim, so drivers should stop the vehicle as soon as it's safe to do so.
Tip #4: If you're on a road with many potholes, go slow, if you can. The harder you hit the pothole, the more damage it can inflict on the sidewall and the rim; thus, vehicle speed is usually the determining factor. With every mile-per-hour increase in vehicle speed, the risk of destroying the tire and rim increases, so by slowly driving over a pothole, the likelihood of damage is minimal.
Tip #5: Be sure to ask your tire repair facility if they have TIA-Certified Tire Technicians on staff. TIA-Certified Tire Technicians undergo a comprehensive training program to ensure that tires are installed and repaired properly.
Rohlwing goes on to state that the damage to tires and wheels caused by springtime potholes can be significant - and costly. "In most cases, a tire can absorb the impact of a pothole without losing any air, but that doesn't mean everything is fine. The best practice is to visually inspect the tire and rim as soon as possible to avoid making the situation worse - and more expensive to fix."
About TIA:
TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry. For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org, or call 800.876.8372.
