Your Chevrolet dealership knows just how devastating potholes can be to your car.
The fact of the matter is that potholes in the road can be much more than just a mere annoyance. Potholes can be dangerous, and they can cause damage to your vehicle.
Driving over even a small pothole at full speed can cause damage to your your suspension, alignment, rims, and tires. It may cause you to lose control of the vehicle, and even swerving to avoid a pothole can cause a problem.
How Potholes Form
To understand, it is important to understand a little bit about the road surface. The surface of the road is a multi-layer structure. There is the soil or sub-grade. Crushed rock or gravel is often the sub-base layer. On top of all of that is the asphalt, a petroleum-like material.
During the winter months, the pavement is constantly freezing and thawing. In addition, traffic is constantly wearing on the pavement. Eventually, cracks form. When the road thaws, water gets into those cracks. When the pavement freezes, the water expands, causing the pavement to actually rise. This causes a divot to be formed underneath the pavement surface. When this happens, the pavement breaks and a pothole forms.
How To Avoid Potholes
The best way to avoid potholes is just to be aware of your road surroundings. You should also make sure to follow behind other cars at a safe distance. If they swerve or break to avoid a pothole, you want to be ready for it.
Time for a new car? Come see your Chevrolet dealer today. We’ve got just the new car to fit your lifestyle.
