CINCINNATI, Oh. (February 12, 2019)–The AAA Roadside Rescue Team received more than 1,200 requests for service on Monday due to a perfect storm of factors: the heavy rain and the fluctuation of temperatures causing flooding and potholes in the Greater Cincinnati area. Of the 1,266 calls requesting service, nearly half were for tow services, followed by battery and tire-related issues. The increase in the number of potholes has been a major problem for area drivers.

“Driving over potholes formed by weather extremes and heavy traffic can damage a tire’s internal steel belts and force it ‘to go out of round,’” said Troy Cox, regional director for AAA | Bob Sumerel Tire and Auto. “This negatively impacts your ability to drive comfortably and safely.”

Heavy rain, like the tri-state has received over the last few days, can also cause vehicle flood damage resulting in difficult and expensive repairs. Flood water is a corrosive and abrasive mixture of water and dirt that works its way into every seam and crevice of a vehicle. 

AAA offers the following vehicle maintenance tips for drivers: 

Get a vehicle inspection for a flood damaged vehicle: Before attempting to start a flood-damaged car, take it to a qualified technician to inspect all mechanical and electrical components and systems that contain fluids for water contamination.

Inspect Tires – The tire is the most important cushion between a car and a pothole. Make sure tires have enough tread and are properly inflated. To check the tread depth, insert a quarter into the tread groove with Washington’s head upside down. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to start shopping for new tires. When checking tire pressures, ensure they are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, which can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb. Do not use the pressure levels stamped on the sidewall of the tire.

Look Ahead – Make a point of checking the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver may have time to avoid potholes, so it’s important to stay focused on the road and not any distractions inside or outside the vehicle. Before swerving to avoid a pothole, check surrounding traffic to ensure this will not cause a collision or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.

Slow Down – If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely being sure to check the rearview mirror before any abrupt braking. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds greatly increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels and suspension components.

Beware of Puddles – A puddle of water can disguise a deep pothole. Use care when driving through puddles and treat them as though they may be hiding potholes.

Emergency Roadside Kit: Keep a kit stocked with a fully charged cellphone and charger, snow/ice scraper, blanket, extra gloves, hats, flares or brightly colored hazard triangle, shovel, de-icer, kitty litter or sand and non-perishable snacks.

Check your AAA membership status. The AAA membership has been a valuable resource to motorists due to the weather conditions that we’ve experienced over the last few weeks. Make sure your membership is up to date by calling 1-866-636-2377 or visiting www.aaa.com.

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 59 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com

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