Your Toyota automotive dealer knows just how devastating potholes can be to your Toyota hybrid. No matter what kind of car you drive, potholes in the road can be more than an annoyance. Potholes can be dangerous, and they can cause damage to your vehicle. Driving over even the smallest of potholes at full speed can cause damage to your alignment, rims, tires, and your suspension. It may cause you to lose control of the vehicle, and even swerving to avoid a pothole can cause a problem.
What is it that causes potholes? 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.
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.
