By Betsy Scott
BScott@News-Herald.com
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Duncan Scott/DScott@News-Herald.com
Potholes, like this one in a Mentor parking lot, are a fact of life for Northeast Ohio residents.
Ever wonder what happens to your car when you hit a pothole?
You should, area experts say.
“The tire is the only part of a car that will enhance the braking, the steering and the traction,” said Jim Enger, president of Enger Auto Service Tire Inc., which owns Lou’s Tire Mart in Mentor.
“We see a lot more tire damage in the spring; I would say around twice as many as other times. You can visually see the junk and debris on the side of the road near the curbs from the snow plows. People need to avoid the debris as much as possible.”
As the freeze-thaw cycle continues to churn in Northeast Ohio, potholes become a threat to vehicles.
Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface. As temperatures rise and fall, the moisture expands and contracts because of freezing and thawing.
This breaks up the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing cars, eventually can result in a pothole.
Peak pothole season is in late February and March, but can extend into April, officials say.
“Major winter storms have affected much of the country this season,” said Steve Popovich, managing director of AAA East Central’s Automotive Services Department. “While many motorists’ cars have made it through the winter storm season unscathed, they could still fall victim to a pothole left in its aftermath.”
Last spring, AAA East Central assisted about 5,500 Northeast Ohio motorists with flat tires.
“It’s been a rough winter,” said Bevi Powell, communications director for AAA East Central. “The last couple of years have been pretty significant: rough weather, as far as snow storms, snow accumulations and fluctuating temperatures, and that’s challenging for motorists dealing with potholes.”
Tires can be damaged from the impact, and can cause a bubble or slow leak from the bead area to the rim, and it can actually bend or crack the aluminium or steel wheel, Enger said.
“A cracked rim or broken cord of the tire may cause a blowout hundreds of miles away or weeks later,” he said.
Counting the cost
Replacing a tire and its rim could range from $300 to $500, depending on the type of vehicle, Enger said. Vehicle maintenance to undo pothole damage could add another $100 to $150, for a wheel alignment, tire rotation and spin balance, including an inspection of the tires, steering and suspension.
Potholes also can prove costly to local government coffers, which fund their repair. More than $30,000 was spent on patch work last year by both the Mentor Public Works Department and the Geauga County Engineer’s Office.
About 1,500 man hours are spent annually on such jobs, between the shovel-and-tamp method and the use of a Durapatcher machine, Mentor Public Works Director Matt Schweikert said.
Mentor’s demand for pothole patching has lessened somewhat during the past five years because of the resurfacing of Mentor Avenue, Tyler Boulevard and Heisley Road.
“These three roads used to account for a large percentage of our pothole patching time,” Schweikert said.
The Geauga County Engineer’s Office maintains 230 miles of road. Last year, patch work finished up April 21.
“I’m guessing it might be a little worse this year than last year,” Engineer Robert Phillips said. “It’s kind of hard to tell just yet. We’ve had a fair amount of snow and rain. The frost was really deep.”
He noted that rain is hard on pavement and that some patching is needed in the fall as well.
What to do if it happens to you
Following pothole season, Enger recommends a wheel alignment, tire rotation and spin balance for every vehicle.
Chuck holes can cause major damage to the steering and suspension parts, and car owners should ask themselves the following questions, he said.
“When you’re driving, look down at the steering wheel. Is it straight? Does it have a shimmy at higher speeds? Does your car drift to one side? Do the brakes pulsate when you apply them? Do the tires squeal around corners? These are symptoms that tell you it’s time for service,” he said.
To help consumers identify quality auto repair shops that can maintain and repair their vehicles, AAA established the Approved Auto Repair program as a free public service, Powell said.
“Approved Auto Repair shops are inspected by AAA automotive specialists and must meet and maintain high professional standards for technical training, equipment, cleanliness and customer service,” she said. “Customers of approved shops are continually surveyed, and every approved facility must maintain a 90 percent or higher customer satisfaction score in all areas.”
Consumers can locate nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities online at AAA.com/Repair.
AAA East Central is a nonprofit organization with 80 local offices in Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and New York, servicing 2.6 million members.
How to protect your car from potholes from AAA
Inspect Tires — The tire is the most important cushion between a car and a pothole. Make sure tires have enough tread and are properly inflated. To check the tread depth, insert a quarter into the tread groove with Washington’s head upside down. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to start shopping for new tires. When checking tire pressures, ensure they are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, which can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb. Do not use the pressure levels stamped on the sidewall of the tire.
Inspect Suspension — Make sure struts and shock absorbers are in good condition. Changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven tire wear can indicate bad shocks or struts. Have the suspension inspected by a certified technician if you suspect problems.
Look Ahead — Make a point of checking the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver may have time to avoid potholes, so it’s important to stay focused on the road and not any distractions inside or outside the vehicle. Before swerving to avoid a pothole, check surrounding traffic to ensure this will not cause a collision or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.
Slow Down — If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely, being sure to check the rearview mirror before any abrupt braking. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds greatly increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels and suspension components.
Beware of Puddles — A puddle of water can disguise a deep pothole. Use care when driving through puddles and treat them as though they may be hiding potholes.
Check Alignment — Hitting a pothole can knock a car’s wheels out of alignment and affect the steering. If a vehicle pulls to the left of right, have the wheel alignment checked by a qualified technician.
Recognize Noises/Vibrations — A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel, and bend or even break suspension components. Any new or unusual noises or vibrations that appear after hitting a pothole should be inspected immediately by a certified technician.
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