Inclement weather can cause major wear and tear on our roadways, leaving behind those annoying potholes. There’s nothing like being jolted when your vehicle hits a pothole unexpectedly, causing undue alarm and stress. Here are some tips for how to drive safely over potholes, as well as how to avoid them.
Avoiding Pothole Damage to Your Vehicle
1. Allow more space ahead of your car. Leaving a little more space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you will allow you to see an upcoming pothole before you are right on top of it so you can avoid driving into it.
2. Monitor your tire pressure. Tires handle potholes better when they are properly inflated. Too little or too much air in tires can increase your risk of tire damage.
3. Keep your windshield clean. Clearing your windshield of dirt and debris sounds simple, but this is an easy way to increase visibility and decrease occurrences where you are surprised by an upcoming pothole on the road.
4. Slow down. When harsh weather strikes, potholes are inevitable so go a bit slower on the road than usual. You’ll be more likely to see a pothole up ahead and can prepare to avoid it.
5. Watch for puddles of water in the road. After a heavy rain or during the thaw of a wintry storm, proceed with caution around any water you see pooling on the road since these may disguise dangerous potholes. Carefully driving around standing water can help you avoid damage to your vehicle.
6. Pay attention to traffic. If you notice the cars ahead of you swerving, there is most likely a problem in the road ahead. Proceed with caution.
7. Keep a firm grip on your steering wheel. If you are unable to avoid driving over a pothole, taking a firm hold of your steering wheel allows you more control over your vehicle as your wheel pulls out of the pothole.
8. Decrease your speed over a pothole. If hitting a pothole is unavoidable, slow down before you drive over it. If the hole is small, you may glide right over. If it’s larger, this action should help minimize potential issues requiring auto repair for pothole damage.
9. Let off the brakes before you hit a pothole. If you see a pothole ahead and must drive over it, lightly apply your brakes before you get there. However, make sure you do not brake while driving directly over the pothole. This action will increase the contact between your tire and the hole, as well as compress the suspension system of the front end, causing damage to your vehicle. Braking unexpectedly could also cause an accident for traffic following too closely behind you.
10. Don’t swerve to avoid a pothole. Swerving your vehicle to avoid a pothole can cause numerous issues. This action can risk the safety of those driving behind you and beside you. If you hit the pothole at an odd angle, it can also cause damage to your tire and alignment, as well as to the wheel rim.
If you are looking for reliable auto service and repair in Hamburg, NJ, DeBoer’s Auto Sales & Servic can provide the maintenance and repair you need.
