TIA offers tips to combat pothole damage.
Press Release Summary:
According to TIA, if consumer hits pothole and then notices car pulls to one side or steering wheel is no longer straight, car may have been knocked out of alignment and should be taken to automotive service provider. If there is bulge or visible cord material on either sidewall of tire, it must be replaced immediately. If tire goes flat after hitting a pothole, it will need to be replaced, but rim may still be in good condition. Also, consumers should drive slowly over roads with many potholes.
Original Press Release:
Spring Is Here! TIA Has Four Tips Drivers Can Use To Combat Pothole Damage
BOWIE, MD - Tomorrow, March 20 is the official start of spring. Unfortunately, along with spring's blooming flowers and warmer weather is the start of pothole season. The Tire Industry Association (TIA), one of the world's leading authorities on tires and wheels, has some tips consumers can use to combat the damage caused by these menaces of the road.
According to the Argonne National Laboratory, potholes are formed when water seeps into cracks in the road bed. The cold temperatures of winter then cause this water to freeze and expand, thus causing cracks to get wider and deeper until a full-fledged pothole is born.
TIA's Senior Vice President of Training Kevin Rohlwing states 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." Rohlwing recommends drivers follow these tips:
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 may have damaged front end components. According to 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, inspected 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, so vehicle speed is usually the determining factor. By slowly driving over a pothole, the likelihood of damage is minimal. But with every mile-per-hour increase in vehicle speed, the risk of destroying the tire increases. Slowing down for the inevitable pothole is the best way to protect the tire and rim.
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.
