BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- They're back and they're bad. Potholes have returned and hitting one with your car can do a number on tires, wheels, steering and suspension, and alignment. To help determine if hitting a pothole has damaged your vehicle, watch for the following warning signs provided by the Car Care Council.
-- Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming-out on
city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are
indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The
steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they
largely determine your car's ride and handling. Key components are
shocks and/or struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering
rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units and tie rod ends.
-- Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and
uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean there's an alignment problem.
Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps
ensure safe handling.
-- Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the
rim. These problems will be visible and should be checked out as soon
as possible as tires are the critical connection between your car and
the road in all sorts of driving conditions.
"Every driver knows what it feels like to hit a pothole. What they don't know is if their vehicle has been damaged in the process. If you've hit a pothole, it's worth having a professional technician check out the car and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.
Potholes occur when water permeates the pavement -- usually through a crack from wear and tear of traffic -- and softens the soil beneath it, creating a depression in the surface of the street. Many potholes appear during winter and spring months because of freeze-thaw cycles, which accelerate the process. Potholes can also be prevalent in areas with excessive rainfall and flooding.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.