Avoid Pothole Damage to Your Car

March 21, 2011

Tips to Avoid Pothole Damage to Your Car

Potholes on Colorado roads are inevitable this time of year. Since we can’t prevent them, here are some tips to avoid them – and prevent damage to your vehicle.

Watch traffic ahead of you, if everyone is swerving, slow down and watch for road damage. Stay several car lengths behind the car ahead of you so you have a better view of the road ahead of you. Watch out for puddles. Drive around them or take it slow, they often hide big potholes. If you’re on a road with several potholes, slow down. The harder you hit one, the more damage to your car will occur.

What causes potholes?

Potholes occur in winter when temperatures are below freezing. Small cracks in the pavement get snow or rainwater in them. When the water freezes, it expands, making the cracks larger or causing the asphalt to bulge or rise. Warmer temperatures and sunshine during the day cause the moisture to thaw, vibrations from vehicles driving over the cracks make the cracks bigger, and colder temperatures at night cause the water to expand again. End result – potholes.

Report a Pothole

No matter where you live in Colorado, you can call or go online to report potholes that need repairs.

* Highlands Ranch and Douglas County, Douglas County Public Works, 303.660.7480, or online at Citizen Connect

*  Centennial, 24-hour Call Center 303-325-8000 or Citizen Response Form

*  Littleton, online Pothole Report Form

*  Denver, Dial 311

*  Arapahoe County, One Call, That’s All, 720-874-ROAD

*  Jefferson County, 303-271-5200 or use the online form

Have you hit a pothole and wonder if you’ve damaged your car?  Find common signs of damage caused by potholes and what to do about it, from Southeast Auto Body, your collision repair specialists in Highland Ranch, Colorado.

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