Recipes for Potholes: take some snow, ice and rain + mix in some sunlight and the spring time freeze & thaw cycles, and you get a plethora of potholes!
I've lived in Vermont for over 25 years and have never seen such a stellar crop of potholes!
Vermont's Federal Economic Stimulus Money http://recovery.vermont.gov/ could put to work anyone and everyone who is unemployed repairing the roads and getting rid of all our potholes. The only problem I foresee is if all the roads in need of repair are worked on this summer, there would not be any roads left to drive on!
While waiting for the roads to be repaired, I have some tips to help protect your vehicle from the damage of pothole encounters.
Be Aware, Be Very Aware! When your vehicle repeatedly drives into smaller potholes, the damage may not be visible, but the safety of your car may be compromised. Tire damage, bent rims, alignment problems, worn steering and suspension parts are common repairs that result from potholes. If you drive into one that jars your teeth it could cause a tire blow out or a broken shock or strut. If you hit a really big one, you may be able to use your car's accident insurance policy to help pay for the damage.
Slow Down: The faster you drive through potholes the greater the damage and expense. Leave extra space between your car and the one in front of you. When swerving around the potholes, be on the look out for other cars swerving around potholes and running into your car.
Hold the Steering Wheel Firmly: As you bump on down the road your car may lurch out of a pot hole and veer into another vehicle or go off the road. By holding the steering wheel firmly you can keep your car going in the direction of choice.
Check the Tire Pressure: Proper air pressure in your tires gives your vehicle better traction and provides the best cushion between the wheel and the bumpy, holey roads.
Don't Apply The Brakes Directly Over A Pothole: Apply the brakes before your tires make contact with the dreaded pothole. Release the brakes, hang on to the steering wheel firmly, and glide your car through the minefield of potholes. If you brake during impact with the hole, the car's weight will be shifted to the front of the wheels and could increase any damage.
In reality, your only defense against potholes is avoiding them. If your car does have suspension problems don't put off the work. Driving around with a bad suspension can be dangerous and more so when driving on a plethora of potholes.
Do you have a good pothole stories? Please share them with us here!
Happy Motoring!
Amy Mattinat
Check out my blog at www.amysgarage.com/blog
Amy Mattinat is delighted to be a female friendly expert advisor on the board of AskPatty.com, helping us to provide excellent car care tips and advice for women. Encouraged to "spread the word," Amy writes a monthly newsletter at www.amysgarage.com/blog, and has written both newspaper and magazine columns on automotive repairs, maintenance, car care, and safety. After selling used cars for six years, she has also written an easy-to-use manual, "How To Buy A Great Used Car," available at www.usedcarexperts.com. She believes that everyone deserves to purchase a quality car no matter what their budget is. They just need to do their "homework!" She is a board member on the education committee for the Women's Car Care Council, belongs to WAAI (Women's Automotive Association International), and AWARE (Advancing Women in Automotive Retail Enterprises).
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