Springtime
brings with it the beautiful echo of birds chirping into the wind and the repetitive
thump of car after car coming face to face with this seasons driving challenge
— potholes. The roads have just experienced several months of degenerative freezing
and thawing cycles and now its time for drivers to pay the price of poor
pavement.
Potholes
can deflate a cars performance in ways ranging from a misaligned
front end to a complete tire blowout, and although there may not
be a way to prevent these nasty road defects from forming on our
city streets and highways, there are ways to reduce the potential
damages motorists can cause to their tires.
Regular
tire maintenance and heightened driving awareness can dramatically affect the
price drivers pay on tire and wheel repairs, said Tom Griffing, manager
of Corporate Quality Assurance, Yokohama Tire Corporation. It is always
recommended that drivers adhere to a regular maintenance schedule and stay cognizant
of factors such as tire pressure and tread condition. It also doesnt hurt
to stay focused on the road and obstacles ahead.
Most
commonly, drivers are churning the pavement with underinflated tires, a condition
inducing many driving downfalls. Underinflated tires, especially upon impact with
potholes, risk damage to the wheel itself and even potentially a complete tire
blowout.
On
the converse, overinflated tires run risks of their own. An overinflated tire,
upon impact, can cause structural damage to the tire itself.
The
most important thing to remember is that visually inspecting a tire is not enough,
Griffing said. A tire pressure gauge is the only effective way to be
sure proper inflation has been met.
Other
indications that tires and alignment are in need of service include:
-
Noticeable
bends/dents in wheels
-
Bumps
protruding from the sidewall of the tire
-
Recurring
loss of air pressure
-
Vibration
in the wheel or in the feet and seat
-
The
cars front end wanders on a flat straight surface
This
season, try to avoid potholes. If you cant, remember that the best solution
is to brake before impact and then roll through the obstruction at a low speed.
Braking during impact only increases the damage passed to the vehicle.
For
more information on tire safety visit the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
at www.rma.org. This years
RMA sponsored tire safety week begins on April 27, 2003 and ends on May 3, 2003.
The week is dedicated to educating drivers on the importance of tire safety and
recommends that drivers have their tires checked once a month to ensure safer
driving. Staying
aware of your vehicles performance, and the driving conditions you are subjecting
it to, is important to your safety. If you notice a change in the way your car
is handling, see a tire service professional. Regular maintenance and preventive
measures can significantly extend the life of your tires.
[Related
Story:
Tires: Most Important Part of
Your Car] |