Melting Snow Gives Way To Potholes

RMA Urges Motorists to Pay Attention to Avoid "Tire vs. Pothole"

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Mar 21, 2014, 11:30 ET

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As winter snows recede, an epidemic of potholes has broken out across the nation, luring unsuspecting motorists and their vehicles into concrete or asphalt traps, causing damaged wheels, suspensions and tires.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association, the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S., is urging motorists to be extra careful to avoid potholes that can ruin tires or jar a vehicle out of alignment.

The spring thaw is revealing an outbreak of potholes. Drive carefully to avoid them. Potholes can damage tires and effect wheel alignment. If you hit a pothole, have your vehicle and tires inspected. (PRNewsFoto/Rubber Manufacturers Association) (PRNewsFoto/RUBBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION)

"Potholes are a driving hazard that can cause significant damage to your vehicle and ruin a tire," said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president, public affairs. "Motorists should be extra careful to avoid potholes but if you hit one, you need to have your vehicle and tires checked for damage."

Potholes can puncture a tire and cause immediate disablement. Sometimes, pothole damage may not be apparent at first until a motorist notices noise or vibration that indicates internal damage.

"If you notice a change in your vehicle after hitting a pothole, have it inspected immediately," Zielinski said. "Hitting a pothole can affect wheel alignment. If you notice your car pulling to one side after hitting a pothole, it may indicate an alignment issue. Failure to address faulty alignment could cause uneven and premature tire wear."

To help motorists understand the threat potholes pose to tires, RMA has produced a short video, "Tire vs. Pothole" plus a "Tire Care Minute" on alignment and other information to help motorists to Be Tire Smart.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. All RMA press releases are available at www.rma.org.

Video - http://youtu.be/SoHx1VKogsM
Video - http://youtu.be/bxHgh6rf8MQ
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140321/MM88264

SOURCE Rubber Manufacturers Association