7 Tips for Surviving Pothole Season

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.

To aid motorists in protecting their vehicles from pothole damage, John Paul, AAA Southern New England’s Car Doctor recommends the following:

1. 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 ahead and not any distractions inside or outside the vehicle. Look well ahead of the front of the car so you have time to react if needed. Before swerving to avoid a pothole, check surrounding traffic to ensure this will not cause a collision or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.

2. Slow Down – If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely being sure to check the rearview mirror before any abrupt braking. Just before you are rolling into the pothole, release the brake. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds or with the suspension and brakes locked will greatly increase the chance of damage to tires, wheels and suspension components.

3. 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.

4. Report Serious Potholes - Residents in Westborough can report serious potholes by going to the Town of Westborough Website to submit a report.

Oops, too late, now what?

5. 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 or right, have the wheel alignment checked by a qualified technician. At the same time the technician can perform a thorough inspection of the steering and suspension components.

6. Recognize Noises and Vibrations – A hard pothole impact can dislodge 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.

7. Inspect Tires – The tire is the most important connection between your vehicle and the road. The tires should be inspected for damage, cut and bruises. Tires should be inspected for both sufficient tread and proper inflation. 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 vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels. This number can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb. 

This article courtesy of AAA Southern New England.