5 Tips to Avoid Pothole Damage on Your Toyota

Before setting off on your fall road trip, you want to make sure your vehicle is as road trip ready as you. "Booking a service inspection" with a Toyota Certified Technician will give you the peace of mind on your journey.

But some small or big bumps along the way may be expected or unavoidable. Potholes created in the spring can often still be a hazard in the summer before maintenance crews get chance to fix them.

Here are 5 tips keep you and your vehicle safe should you encounter a pothole on your summer road trip adventures.

5 Tips To Deal With Potholes

When you see a pothole up ahead, your first instincts might be to swerve or hit the brakes. Fighting this instinct, slowing down and releasing your brake pedal before hitting the hole will help reduce the impact and load on your Toyota's suspension.

Don't Hit the Brakes

When you see a pothole up ahead, your first instincts might be to swerve or hit the brakes. Fighting this instinct, slowing down and releasing your brake pedal before hitting the hole will help reduce the impact and load on your Toyota's suspension.

Resist the Urge to Swerve

When trying to avoid a pothole, pay close attention to the traffic around you. If you have space and time to avoid contact, try to move slowly and smoothly. Sudden jerks could cause more damage to your vehicle or for you to loose control, causing an accident

Proper Pressure is Key

Having the correct air pressure in your tires won't guarantee that you'll avoid damage, but it will sure help to reduce it. Unsure what pressure tires you should be at? Check the manufacturers specs located on the edge of your driver's door. Doing a monthly check of your tire air pressure can save you a lot of grief and help protect your Toyota should you hit a surprise pothole.

Check Your Tire Alignment Regularly

Should you connect with one, some pothole damage may be visually noticeable -- like body damage -- but there could also be unseen damage like your tires being misaligned. This might not sound like a big deal, but not having your wheels aligned can cause your tires to wear quickly and unevenly, leading them to be replaced more frequently. Should you hit some nasty potholes along your adventure, bring your vehicle in our Toyota dealer to have a Toyota Certified Technician perform a wheel alignment, and we'll make sure everything is set and square.

Regular Vehicle Maintenance

Potholes can affect your Toyota's suspension, body, wheels, and undercarriage. Hitting a wrong pothole the wrong way can cause thousands of dollars' worth of damage within seconds. That is why it's so important to keep up with your Toyota Maintenance Schedule. Bringing your vehicle for service at the recommended intervals -- every 6 months or 8,000km, whichever comes first -- will help you identify any issues that may pop up.

These simple tricks -- along with your trusted Toyota Certified Technician -- Will keep your vehicle running smoothly while you and your family explore all the new adventures.