THE HOLE TRUTH: WHAT POTHOLES MEAN TO YOUR TIRES
(NC) - Just as the flowers begin to bloom and the echo of chirping birds can be heard, a less welcoming indicator of spring is already rearing its ugly head - potholes. The result of degenerative freezing and thawing cycles that cause a layer of the road's asphalt to wear away, potholes can make for a bumpy ride for you, your car's tires and subsequently your wallet.
Potholes, which can be up to 25 centimetres deep, can drive a car's performance downhill. The impact of even a small pothole can result in tire misalignment, reduced air pressure and even a complete blowout. Although the formation of potholes may not be preventable, there are ways for motorists to reduce the potential damage caused to their tires.
Maintaining good tire pressure, proper alignment and a heightened driving awareness level is essential to good pothole defense. Taking these steps will also ensure motorists get up to 30 - 40 per cent more wear, value and peace of mind from their tires.
A common mistake, over- or under-inflated tires can be the culprit of many driving downfalls. Upon impact with potholes, underinflated tires can cause wheel damage or even a tire blowout. Whereas with overinflated tires, expensive structural damage can occur. Don't guess whether your tires are properly inflated, help prevent pothole tire damage by using a good quality tire gauge to ensure tires are properly inflated to the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. If you don't have a tire gauge, have your tires checked by a professional at least once a month.
Another critical element of tire care is proper wheel alignment. Wheel alignment ensures that all four tires are pointed in the right direction and follow the right track. Impact with a pothole can cause the front and/or rear tires to fall off track, thus becoming misaligned. Indicators of misaligned tires include steering changes whereby the vehicle is pulling to one side, and uneven tire tread wear. After experiencing a sharp bang from a pothole, head to your local tire dealer and have a qualified mechanic check your vehicle's wheel alignment.
While it's not possible to drive around every pothole, there are driving techniques that can help prevent tire damage. Keeping a firm grip on the wheel to avoid any jerking, brake with caution before reaching the pothole and then roll through it at a low speed. By staying aware of driving conditions and the impact of road hazards on your vehicle, you can help make driving through pothole season a smoother ride. - (NC)
- From News Canada
