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I’ve Hit a Huge Pothole! What Kind of Auto Repair Should I Expect to Need?

Car Care July 18, 2019

auto repair Vancouver

Potholes can be quite damaging for your vehicle and with the extreme weather variances that Canadian’s experience (particularly in Vancouver) – they can be quite common.  There are times when the Ministry of Transportation can’t keep up with the damage done to the roads, and it’s important for any driver to take precautions on the road until the ministry is able to do so. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, there’s a good chance that you will still hit at least one potentially damaging pothole this season. When that happens, you need to know what kind of damage to expect and whether or not you require minimal to extensive auto repair.

How Bad Can a Pothole Really Be?

With a deep enough pothole in just the ‘right’ location, you can do a lot of harm to several different systems of your vehicle, including:

The Ministry of Transportation has worked hard to take care of the roadways; but the more that weather conditions remain unpredictable, the more damage we can expect. This is due to freezing and thawing that expands water across the road surfaces and pavement. This combined with the wear and tear of tire chains and salt causes the development of potholes.

How to Navigate Potholes

Avoiding potholes is the best way to prevent damage. It is common sense that when you can’t see the surface of the road, you must drive slowly and ease your vehicle across potentially damaged parts of the road. When you can see the potholes coming, attempt to safely drive around them. If there is no way to avoid hitting a deep pothole or damaged portion of the road, ease your car into it. Go slowly and pay attention to any sounds or changes to the way that your vehicle behaves.

Using caution and taking care of problems as soon as you notice them is integral to keeping your car in good condition through the winter months.

Hit a Pothole? Call Us for Help!

Contact us today using our online form; or call one of our 18 conveniently located Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres for auto repair in Vancouver and surrounding cities. We know Canadian winters and have the expertise to get you safely back on the road in no time!