The wet winter months can lead to bigger problems come spring, such as new or larger potholes in the road.  Potholes can get worse over time if not repaired.  When you drive down the same roads and encounter the same potholes, you may not be able to avoid them every time.  But potholes can cause critical damage to your car, from flat tires or bent rims to alignment issues or even undercarriage damage.  If you can, avoid potholes at all costs.  But when you can’t, be sure to take these added precautions to protect your car from damage.

Check Tire Pressure

Tires should always be inflated to the recommended pressure, especially in the cold winter months.  When tires are filled with the right amount of air, they can experience less damage when unexpectedly driving over a pothole.  Without that air to act as a cushion, a really bad pothole can cause the tire to bulge or blister.  It can also dent the tire or wheel.  Should this happen, be sure to have your tire inspected as soon as possible for repair.  An auto mechanic can check over your car to repair any damage that was done so you can get back out on the road safely again.

Slow Down and Drive Straight

One of your first instincts may be to slam on the brakes or even swerve to avoid a large pothole.  But this can be a dangerous move.  Not only can it damage the car, but it can also lead to unavoidable accidents.  Instead, you should always slow down slowly and drive straight over the pothole at as slow a speed as possible to avoid accidents and damage to the car.  Again, this may not always be possible and your local car mechanic in 77018 can repair damages sustained from driving too fast over a pothole.  Better a minor pothole repair than a larger repair due to a car accident. Avoid those potholes at all costs this spring, but should you hit one that leads to car problems, Liberty Garage is here to help.