Potholes Puncture Spring Fun
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A number of us eagerly await the arrival of early spring each year. However once the spring showers wash away what’s left of winter weather, frequently we are left dodging potholes on the roads.
Potholes form as pavement ages and weathers. The pavement gradually begins to lose its capacity to resist water, and small cracks begin to appear. As water works its path down into the cracks and expands while it freezes, this pushes up on the pavement. The weight of autos and trucks can split this uneven pavement, creating a pothole.
Striking a pothole could easily destroy your wonderful spring day, not to mention your tires or wheels. The sharp impact attributable to hitting a pothole can cause instant tire or wheel failure. Or, internal damage could eventually lead to tire failure weeks or months later. Regardless of the dangers of potholes, one can find measures to take:
* Begin with correct tire inflation. Maintaining your tires properly inflated will help reduce damage from potholes and additional road hazards.
* Assess the tread on your tires, since uneven wear can be a sign of misalignment. Striking potholes may affect your vehicle’s alignment. Should you feel your car “pulling” to one side during driving, that is an indicator that you might have a issue. Have your Complete Auto Care service professional make sure your wheels and tires are adequately aligned and balanced.
* If you cannot avoid striking a pothole, do not brake during the impact. Instead, begin to apply brakes before hitting and release them just prior to impact. Braking during the impact sets up the tire and wheel assembly for a “solid hit” against the edge of the hole. Severe damage may be better avoided whenever a tire is rolling, as opposed to skidding, over a hole during braking.
Just as you undertake spring cleaning to get your house in order, take advantage of the warmer weather conditions to make sure your tires and vehicle are also in the greatest achievable condition. Properly maintaining your tires includes proper rotation, inflation, repair and replacement.
Make sure to check your tire pressure a minimum of once every thirty days and be sure to rotate your tires according to recommendations inside your owner’s manual. Following these easy maintenance tips can help you in avoiding the dangers of wet driving conditions or dreaded potholes.
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