Spring is in the air and potholes are on the roads, posing a threat to both driver safety and vehicle health. They can cause everything from flat tires and bent rims to suspension damage and alignment issues, leading to hefty repair bills. Tire Discounters, the country’s largest 100% family-owned and operated tire and service provider, is sharing ways to minimize damage before – and after – encountering potholes on the road, keeping drivers safe and saving them money.
Ensure Proper Tire Inflation Level
Underinflated tires may not have enough resistance to withstand the impact of hitting a pothole. Properly inflated tires can help absorb the impact of potholes and reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle.
Avoid Sharp Turns
Try to steer straight when going over potholes to minimize the risk of losing control of your vehicle.
Brake Gently, Then Not At All
If you can’t avoid a pothole, gently apply the brakes before reaching it to reduce the impact. As you drive over the pothole, Tire Discounters experts say to release the brakes altogether to reduce damage to brakes and brake pads.
Avoid Puddles
Puddles on the road can sometimes conceal potholes, so try to avoid driving through them whenever possible.
Hold the Steering Wheel Firmly
When driving over a pothole make sure you have a firm grip on the steering wheel to avoid losing control of the vehicle.
After You’ve Hit the Pothole, What Next?
Have tires checked for sidewall damage, which can be a result of a sharp turn over a pothole. Tire Discounters has free inspections that can help. And remember your fellow drivers: report potholes to help prevent further accidents and damage to additional vehicles. To report potholes in Cincinnati, visit 5916000.com or call 513-591-6000.
About Tire Discounters
Tire Discounters was founded by Chip Wood in 1976 in a small gas station on Cincinnati’s east side, and is still family-owned and operated. Chip remains the sole owner and company chairman, but over the past several years has been smoothly transitioning to the second generation of leadership. President Jamie Ward, a valued employee for more than 25 years, is now the driving force in the company day-to-day, working closely with Chip’s children, Anna, Steven, and Evan Wood, to help them learn the business from the ground up. Tire Discounters is the nation’s largest, 100% family-owned and operated independent tire provider and is growing rapidly.
The downtown Cincinnati-based company leads the way in providing unique and innovative customer benefits designed to make tires last longer and maximize the overall performance of a vehicle. Tire Discounters’ ASE-certified technicians provide routine automotive repair and factory scheduled maintenance.
Tire Discounters currently employs more than 2,000 people in over 200 locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia. Tire Discounters ranks 31st on the Courier 100, the Cincinnati Business Courier’s list of the largest private companies in the region. It also operates distribution centers, located in Sharonville, Ohio; Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Atlanta, GA; and Monroe, Georgia. The Tire Discounters family of businesses includes Butler Tires, Chip’s Auto Glass, Carriage House Car Wash, Performance Discounters, Paradise Motors, Leete Tire, and Mudder Trucker.
For more information, visit www.tirediscounters.com.
