Spotlight on the right way to handle potholes in the road

With winter coming to an end, driving on Quebec roads becomes challenging once again. You must navigate streets filled with potholes without damaging your car. Find out if you’ve mastered the art of driving around these hidden hazards by answering the following questions.

1. What sign can warn you about a large pothole in the road?
   a) The drivers in front of you are making sudden manoeuvres
   b) The potholes you’ve been driving over for the past few minutes keep getting bigger
   c) You’re driving near a wet area, such as a lake, river, or swamp
2. To avoid a pothole without increasing your risk of collision, it’s important to keep a safe distance from other drivers. What following distance do experts recommend?
   a) 10 seconds
   b) 3 seconds
   c) 1 second
3. What’s the safest way to drive over a pothole you cannot avoid?
   a) Slow down slightly before the pothole, then release the brakes while driving over it
   b) Accelerate before the pothole to shorten the impact, then return to your normal speed
   c) Brake hard just before the pothole, then accelerate sharply while driving over it

Answers

1. a) Watch the vehicles well ahead of you. If they suddenly swerve, this usually means you should be prepared to react.
2. b) Following other vehicles too closely is always a bad idea!
3. a) This technique reduces the risk of damage but doesn’t eliminate it.

Did you damage a tire, rim, or suspension after hitting a deep pothole? Book an appointment at your nearest M 360 Mechanic.