Potholes seem to appear out of
nowhere. Winter weather conditions create the perfect
environment for potholes to develop. When temperatures fall,
the road freezes and when temperatures rise, the road thaws.
While this is happening, ice and water cause damage beneath the
road’s surface. Eventually the surface of the road, falling
victim to the erosion that has occurred beneath the surface, caves
in. A pothole is born. Over time, even
the smallest pothole can get wider and deeper. The results
can be large craters that pose a tremendous hazard
to motorists.
What is the best strategy for dealing with these roadway nuisances? If it is possible to do so in a safe manner, swerve to avoid them. However, sometimes it is simply not possible to avoid hitting a pothole. The good news is that you can minimize the impact and reduce the potential damage to your vehicle. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) notes that you should not brake during the pothole impact. Instead, the RMA recommends applying the brakes before hitting the pothole and releasing them just prior to impact. The reasoning? “Braking during the impact sets up the tire and wheel assembly for a ‘solid hit’ against the edge of the hole.” The RMA concludes with a reminder: “Less severe damage occurs when a tire is rolling than when it is skidding over a hole during braking.” Remember to keep an eye on your rearview mirror so you know what is going on with drivers behind you. Getting rear-ended could make a bad situation worse.
How bad can the damage from a pothole actually be? Unfortunately, pretty bad. The RMA notes that hitting a pothole can damage your vehicle’s alignment, tire(s), rim(s), and more. Your suspension is not safe from harm, either. The extent of the damage can vary from slight to severe. In some cases, the damage may be hidden and you may not be aware of it immediately. A problem with your alignment, for example, may be miniscule at first, but it may worsen over time. The RMA notes that the damage can even make itself known a long time after the actual impact: “The impact of potholes on tires increases dramatically with speed and can cause hidden, internal damage that could lead to tire failure weeks, or even months, later.
Clearly, potholes can cause extensive damage. If you hit a pothole, you may want to have your vehicle alignment checked. It’s recommended that you get alignment checks every 6-12 months as part of routine maintenance, but more often if driving in extreme conditions including potholes, or your vehicle is not handling properly.
A wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. The benefits of proper wheel alignment are longer tire life; better gas mileage; assures warranty compliance (with rotations), and improves vehicle handling and safety. Bad alignment can negate the benefits of tire rotations.
We also recommend that you report the pothole. Many municipalities have pothole reporting lines. The New York State Department of Transportation has one, as well; just call 1-800-POTHOLE and report the location. You will be doing yourself – and other motorists – a big favor.