Every winter, Santa Fe roads have a never-ending fight against weather, age and heavy usage. This past winter especially took its toll and left a mess of bumps, craters, cavities, and ruts throughout the road, bringing to life, the dreaded pot hole monster.
While easier said than done, the best way to avoid pothole damage on your vehicle is to avoid them. Here are some tips to help:
- Maintain the recommended air pressure in your tires. This will allow you the added control in your vehicle to properly avoid obstacles in the road.
- Leave enough space in between you and the vehicle in front on you. Space is the only way to see what lies in the road in front of you.
- When driving in inclement weather, reduce your speed so that you can identify road hazards before they can cause damage to your vehicle.
Unfortunately, the pothole monster almost always wins. Some of the signs of pothole damage include:
- Bulges in your tires. Tires with bulges should be replaced immediately.
- Vehicle pulling to one side. This is a sure sign that your car is due for an alignment.
- Vibration in your steering wheel.
- Dent or puncture on the undercarriage.
- Noises coming from the exhaust system.
If the damage is already done, even if it’s minor, schedule a vehicle inspection as soon as possible to assess the damage. It’s almost always better to get it fixed now to avoid costlier repairs down the road.
