Potholes: How to Avoid The Damage

 In Vehicle Safety Tips

Safety Information For Drivers in Georgia

Avoiding Potholes and Vehicle Damage

potholes

Car Awareness Safety Month is October, and we want to share information to keep you and your family safe on the road. Potholes are an inevitable part of living in a multi-season environment, which most of Georgia experiences. For example, cities with warmer annual temperatures tend to experience more potholes. Spring is usually when we see our first crop of these lovely hazards, but sometimes they show up sooner, especially during mild winters.

When their presence can’t be avoided, there are a few things you can do to help your car make it through this unofficial season unharmed. Car Awareness Safety means:

(1) Be attentive, as potholes can appear very quickly, especially after a rainfall and a short freeze or thaw cycle. Drive the speed limit and don’t follow other vehicles too closely.

(2) Check your tire pressure. Keeping your tires at the recommended PSI will help cushion some of the impact. Proper PSI will also help with traction in case of a sudden stop, like the vehicle in front of you swerving to avoid a pothole.

(3) Try to avoid erratic swerving, as your sudden movement could cause you to hit another vehicle. Just as you wouldn’t want someone to swerve dangerously in front of you, keep your vehicle under control at all times.

If hitting a pothole is inevitable, don’t slam on the brakes. You will force the weight of your car FORWARD and DOWN into the pothole, causing even more damage.

potholes

Car Awareness Month was implemented for driver safety, so we want to make sure you know when to bring the car into a professional for repair. Here are some signs that your vehicle may have been damaged:

(1) Your steering will pull to either the left or the right. This is your alignment and is needed for vehicle handling and proper tire use.

(2) If you feel as though your vehicle is swaying left to right, especially when turning corners – or is bouncing/bottoming out, your suspension may have been compromised. This type of damage could affect anything from your shocks, struts, and ball joints to your steering rack, bearings, seals, and tie rods.

(3) Visually inspect your tires looking for cuts or bulge along the rubber. Look for bends or cracks in the rims. This type of damage may seem superficial but could, at higher speeds, cause a blowout.

If you do hit a pothole, take a minute or two – as soon as it is safe to do so – to visually inspect your vehicle and make special note of any damage to the tires. If you see any damage or feel like your vehicle just isn’t driving the way it normally does, visit your local automotive service provider for a quick inspection.

For more information, please feel free to contact our team at Crown Transmissions. You can visit our official website or call our office at (770)-956-1344.

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