The areas where you are most likely to see pothole damage are where drainage are particularly where drainage is poor, like the troughs under viaducts. If you know that you are on an interstate or thoroughfare that is heavily traveled, such as 270 and I-44, you can expect to encounter some brief bumps or developmental disarray. A large variety of the American highways that we rely on for transportation were built during the 1950's and 1970's, and were built to last just around 50 years.
Eventually with time, all of the factors that damage pavement add up.
The American Society of Civil Engineers believes that it would cost around $2.7 trillion to fix all of the infrastructure that is now in bad shape, a fairly staggering figure. Here are some rules that you can abide by to assure that this pothole season does not leave you “in a ditch” with repairs.
- Look Ahead, and try to slow down: Simply being alert can help you avoid the majority of potholes. Try to look ahead while you are driving, and this way you can scan with your eyes for potential potholes. If you know you can't avoid them, at least slow down, which will decrease the likelihood of damage to your prized Chevy.
- Be on the lookout for H2O: Hiding under water is where the majority of damaging potholes take up residence. After periods of rain and heavy snow, it's wisest to avoid puddles, as these are areas that pose the biggest risk to your car's safety and longevity.
- Keep a watch on Tire Pressure: Seeing to it that your tires are properly inflated makes a huge difference in avoiding drastic pothole damage. Chevy's recommended tire pressure is key to your safety, and under-inflated tires have been known to cause intense ruptures. If you have tires that happen to be too full, they are also susceptible to pothole damage.
- Be quick about damage control: If you are certain that you have in fact hit a pothole, be sure to check things out right away. If you can stay on top of the damage earlier, this will prevent you from having your car's good condition slip away
- Be conscious of what to notice: Potholes are able to cause far more damage beyond the tires. Rims, exhaust systems, the state of your alignment, and more elements are all under attack when you encounter these pesky problems. If you notice your car making more noises, dragging you in one direction, or otherwise running irregular, be sure to take it to a professional for a look.
- Offer a hand to others on the road: Make sure that you report potholes to the proper authorities. City, county, or state transportation entities are the ones to track down, and help with the task of showing officials where the problem spots are.
- Always have supplies with you: Be certain that a sturdy car jack and lug wrench are always on you, and that the spare is inflated to proper pressure. If you do ever have to quickly change a flat, be ultimately aware of your surroundings, and pull as far away from throngs of traffic as possible.