If you’re a driver in Pennsylvania, you know that the spring season means it’s also pothole season. As the weather grows warmer in the daytime while still staying cold overnight, potholes are more likely to form. Any water that has slipped into cracks during the day can freeze overnight, expanding and widening cracks in the asphalt until potholes appear. Hundreds of cars sustain pothole damage every year. Here are some tips to help you avoid having your car become one of those cars.
Tips for Avoiding Pothole Damage
Keep Up with Regular Vehicle Maintenance
A well-maintained vehicle will have an easier time handling potholes than a vehicle that hasn’t been serviced. Underinflated tires are more likely to sustain damage going over a pothole, and overinflated tires are more likely to damage your suspension. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended PSI on your driver’s side door jamb and check the tread depth regularly to ensure they’re safe for driving. You should also have your shocks and struts checked regularly. These will help to absorb the impact if you hit a pothole and prevent other damage to your vehicle.
Avoid Driving through Puddles
Puddles on roadways are often filled with murky, dirty water. If you can’t see how deep a puddle is, you should avoid driving through it as many puddles conceal potholes. If you can’t avoid driving through the puddle, reduce your speed before reaching it and allow your car to coast through. This will help minimize damage to your vehicle.
Drive Slower at Night
Because there is reduced visibility at night, it’s a good idea to drive slowly when you’re in areas that are prone to potholes. Slowing down will give you a better chance of spotting potholes before you hit them, giving you the chance to either avoid them or approach them with care. It’s also a good idea to keep your windshield clear and your headlights bright so you can increase your nighttime visibility.
Use Caution on Unfamiliar Roads
It’s easy to avoid potholes when you know where they’re located. It’s also easier to hit them when you don’t know their location. If you’re traveling on roads that are new to you, it’s a good idea to stay alert and drive cautiously. Keep an eye on the road so you can spot potholes or other hazards in enough time to avoid them.
Keep a Safe Distance Between Vehicles
By maintaining a safe following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the road and avoiding potholes. It’s generally recommended to maintain at least a 3 to 4-second following distance at all times. The faster you travel, like on highways, the more you’ll want to increase that following distance. You should also increase it in poor weather, like rain, sleet, or high winds.
Approach Unavoidable Potholes Slowly
There will likely be cases where you can’t avoid hitting a pothole. If you come across an unavoidable pothole, reduce your speed before you reach it. Then, keep your wheels straight and coast over the pothole slowly. This will give your suspension a chance to travel its full range and properly absorb the impact. Keeping your wheels straight will help your tires absorb it, too, and reduce risk of tire damage. Make sure to keep a good grip on your steering wheel as potholes can sometimes cause jerking or loss of control over steering.
Common Types of Pothole Damage
Hitting potholes can cause a range of damage. Some of the most common forms of pothole damage include:
- Flat tires
- Bent wheel rims
- Steering misalignment
- Suspension damage
- Undercarriage damage
If you’ve hit a pothole and you notice your car pulling to one side, bouncing, bottoming out, or making strange noises, you should have it checked for pothole damage.
Call Restored Auto, LLC for help.
At Restored Auto, LLC, we offer a range of services that can help you avoid pothole damage or repair your vehicle if you’ve sustained pothole damage. From tire balancing and alignment to suspension repair, brake repair, and more, we can help. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today.