It’s Pothole Season: AAA Offers Advice for the Rocky Road Ahead

 

The Summer-like weather has been pleasant, but it does come at a cost. As the snow melted winter away, more potholes are popping up- some that could cause major damage to your car.

Because it’s impossible to avoid all potholes, and swerving around them can lead to a crash, AAA East Central offers advice in order to protect you, and your car from potholes caused by severe winter weather.

“Major winter storms have affected much of the country this season,” said Steve Popovich, Managing Director of Automotive Services. “While many cars have made it through the winter without a scratch, damage still could be done because of a pothole left in the aftermath,” he added.

Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface.
As temperatures rise and fall, the moisture expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. This breaks up the pavement and combined with the weight of passing cars, eventually results in a pothole.

AAA recommends these safety tips to protect you and your vehicle:

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. 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

Inspect Suspension – Make certain struts and shock absorbers are in good condition. Changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven tire wear can indicate bad shocks or struts. Have the suspension inspected by a certified technician if you are unsure.

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

Check Alignment – Hitting a pothole can knock a car’s wheels out of alignment and affect the steering. If a vehicle pulls to the left of right, have the wheel alignment checked out

Recognize Noises/Vibrations – A hard pothole impact can dislocate wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel, and bend or even break suspension components. Any new or unusual noises or vibrations that appear after hitting a pothole should be inspected immediately by a certified technician

 

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