AAA Offers Tips to Avoid Seasonal Tire Troubles and Minimize Need for a Tow
OKLAHOMA CITY – Feb. 25, 2025 – It’s that time of year, when potholes litter our roadways and, in many cases, hit our wallets hard. Americans spend billions of dollars every year to repair damages caused by potholes, with an average price tag of almost $600 per repair.
Drivers can do one important thing right now to minimize the risk of requiring a tow if they hit a pothole and tire damage disables the vehicle – check the trunk to make sure they have a useable spare.
“In 2024, there were nearly 4,600 AAA members, just in Oklahoma alone, whose tire troubles required a tow because they did not have a useable spare,” said Dana Storey, AAA Emergency Roadside Service fleet manager in Tulsa. “While drivers can’t always avoid a pothole, having a useable spare may help them avoid additional inconvenience and expense.”
While the desire for any call is always a quick fix at the roadside, AAA emergency rescue data indicates that last year, more than 32% of all tire-related calls in Oklahoma resulted in the need for a tow – often because there was no useable spare. Had there been a spare available, many tows could have been avoided, saving drivers both time and money.
Many new cars do not come with spare tires, so it is critical that drivers check to make sure they have the additional road-ready tire before they find themselves in need.
Is Your Tow and the Damage Caused by Potholes Covered by Insurance?
Maybe. Maybe not. Typically, a flat tire is not covered by insurance because it is considered basic wear and tear. But, a blowout caused by a pothole, the tow and additional damages to your vehicle may be covered…depending on your level of coverage.
“This is a costly lesson learned too late by many motorists,” said Gary Tomes, retail insurance territory manager for the Insurance Agency at AAA. “Drivers who opt for minimum auto insurance coverage may find themselves paying a steep price when it comes to potholes.”
A previous AAA survey found that 1 in 10 drivers sustained vehicle damage significant enough to warrant a repair after hitting a pothole. In addition to tires, damage caused by potholes may include dented rims, damaged wheels, dislodged wheel weights, displaced struts, dislocated shock absorbers, damaged exhaust systems, misaligned steering systems and ruptured ball joints.
AAA urges all vehicle owners to talk to their insurance advisors in advance of a pothole problem to ensure they are adequately covered, should the need arise.
Avoiding Potholes
Of course, the best way to prevent pothole damage or tire troubles that might require a tow is to avoid potholes altogether. AAA offers the following tips for avoiding potholes/minimizing damage:
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Beware of Puddles – Puddles are often potholes in disguise.
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Look Ahead – Make a point of scanning the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver is more likely to have time to avoid a pothole.
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Increase Following Distance – This will give you additional time to avoid potholes otherwise hidden by the vehicle in front of you.
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Limit Distractions – Avoiding a pothole is much easier if you are paying attention to the road ahead.
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Slow Down – Slowing down will increase the chance of avoiding a pothole, and if a pothole cannot be avoided, reduced speed will likely mean reduced damage.
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Inspect Tires – Make sure tires are properly inflated and have a healthy tread. Tires that are not road-ready are at greater risk of a blowout or flat.
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Take Care of Your Spare – Check your trunk. Many newer cars do not have spare tires or the spare is unusable, causing greater inconvenience to drivers and their passengers in the event of a flat.
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Don’t Ignore Noises/Vibrations – A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage the tire or wheel and even break suspension components. Any unusual noises after a pothole hit should be inspected immediately.
In an effort to encourage basic car care and avoid the need for Emergency Roadside Service, most AAA Car Care, Insurance and Travel Centers are running tire specials at this time. Find the nearest AAA Car Care or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility here.
About AAA
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and more than 450,000 members in Oklahoma. 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, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, 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 on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.
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