The good news is all those road crews you’re likely seeing this summer are working on them. The bad news is potholes are and will always be “a thing.” And outside of the uncomfortable surprise “bump” they deliver, they can really do a number on your vehicle. The service experts at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA see it all the time, so here are a few tips for protecting your vehicle from this common road hazard.
The main thing that a pothole can do is knock your alignment out of whack. If your Toyota is “pulling” to one side or the steering wheel seems off-center, schedule a check with our service department. It could be nothing more than replacing a strut, but neglecting it can cost you a lot more down the road – as in, having to have your entire suspension system replaced.
Tire “bulges” indicate damage from a heavy impact. The bulge is a result of something breaking inside the structure of the tire, so be sure to get it replaced ASAP.
Now, what can you do to minimize any Close Encounters of the Pothole Kind? First, leave enough room between you and the car in front of you, so you can spot a pothole in enough time.
Keep your tires fully inflated (check your Peruzzi Toyota owner’s manual to get the right pressure); this will provide the most cushion between the pothole and the tire rim.
Watch for pools of water on the road, as this may disguise a deep pothole.
If you can’t avoid a pothole, slow down; when you hit one at high speeds, the damage to shocks, tires, springs and more goes up exponentially. However, do NOT brake suddenly; that causes the weight of your vehicle to shift to the front and increases any potential damage from impact.
There are some road sections that may be just a series of potholes. In that case, stay in control of your vehicle by holding the steering wheel firmly.
Like traffic jams and drivers who cut you off, potholes are just a fact of driving life. But the service experts at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield are here to smooth out the effects of those “bumps in the road.”
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