Pothole Season

          2014 has been a terrible year for potholes, and things are likely to get worse as the constant rise and drop in temperatures allows moisture to get ever deeper into crack. Obviously, the best way to avoid damage to your tires and wheels is to avoid potholes, but this is not always possible. Poor visibility and traffic may eliminate the option to steer around the hazard. You are likely to hit a pothole or two, so it is best that your vehicle be prepared. Start with the tires and work up. If your tires are properly inflated, they will do a better job of absorbing the energy created by the tire’s collision with the pothole. Next, make sure that your shocks and struts are in good working order. If you have noticed a decline in either ride comfort or handling ability, you may have worn shock or struts. It is important to catch this deterioration early because shocks also help protect other suspension components and steering components from excessive wear and damage.  Remember that in addition to providing a better ride for you and your passengers, the job of your suspension system is to keep all tires on the road.  A deterioration of any suspension component makes it less likely that all tires will remain on the road. Worn shocks will reduce handling and increase stopping distances under all road conditions. If you have any concerns about how your vehicle handles, make an appointment, and we will check it out.