Feb162010
Often We Were Dodging Potholes on the Roads.
Filed under patholes tips by Quevuelvanloslentos Team at 4:02 pm on Feb 16 2010
Many of us eagerly await the arrival of spring each year. But once the spring rains wash the rest of winter, often we were dodging potholes on the roads.
Potholes form as the pavement ages and climates. The floor finally begins to lose its ability to resist water, and small cracks begin to appear. As water makes its way down into cracks and expands when it freezes, it pushes up on the pavement. The weight of cars and trucks can break this uneven pavement, creating a pothole.
Hitting a pothole can easily ruin your beautiful spring day, not to mention your tires or wheels. The acute effects caused by hitting a pothole can cause immediate tire or wheel failure. Or, internal damage could lead to tire failure weeks or months later. Despite the dangers of potholes, there are steps you can take:
* Start of proper tire inflation. Keep your tires properly inflated will help reduce damage caused by potholes and road hazards.
* Check the tread on your tires, because uneven wear can be a sign of misalignment. Hitting potholes can affect the alignment of your vehicle. If you feel your car “pulling” to one side while driving, which is a sign that there could be a problem. Have your Firestone Complete Auto Care service professional to make sure that the wheels and tires are properly aligned and balanced.
* If you can not avoid hitting a pothole, do not brake during the impact. Instead, aim to apply the brakes before hitting and releasing them just before impact. Braking during impact sets the tire and wheel to hit a “solid” against the edge of the hole. Severe damage may be best avoided when a tire is rolling, instead of trawling over a hole during braking.
Just as do the spring cleaning to get your house in order, take the proper time to make sure their tires and vehicles are also in the best condition possible. Proper tire maintenance includes adequate rotation, inflation, repair and replacement.
Remember to check your tire pressure at least once a month and be sure to rotate your tires according to the recommendations in your owner’s manual. Following these simple maintenance tips can help you avoid the pitfalls of wet driving conditions or dreaded potholes.