Every spring, it feels like potholes are everywhere, turning once-smooth roads into obstacle courses. If you’ve ever wondered why they seem to get worse after winter, the answer lies in how roads react to cold temperatures, moisture, and traffic. Potholes aren’t just an inconvenience—they can cause serious damage to your tires, wheels, and suspension. So, what exactly makes them form, and why do they seem to multiply when winter ends?
How Potholes Form
Potholes are caused by the expansion and contraction of water beneath the pavement. When moisture seeps into cracks in the road, it settles underneath the surface. In colder months, freezing temperatures turn that water into ice, which expands and pushes against the pavement from below. This weakens the road structure, creating small gaps and fractures.
As temperatures rise, the ice melts, leaving empty pockets under the pavement. The weight of passing vehicles puts stress on these weak spots, eventually causing chunks of asphalt to break loose. The result? A pothole that grows larger and deeper over time.
Why Potholes Get Worse After Winter
Several factors contribute to potholes becoming more severe in early spring:
Repeated Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Winter often brings fluctuating temperatures, with freezing nights and warmer days. Each time water freezes and expands, then thaws and contracts, it weakens the pavement a little more. By the time winter ends, roads have gone through multiple freeze-thaw cycles, leaving them significantly more damaged.
Heavy Traffic and Moisture Retention
As snow and ice melt, they leave behind excess moisture on and under the roads. Vehicles passing over these wet, weakened areas put additional pressure on the pavement. Since winter also tends to bring more sand and salt buildup, water gets trapped in cracks, making pothole formation even worse.
Delayed Road Repairs
During winter, cities and road maintenance crews often struggle to keep up with repairs because of freezing temperatures and snowfall. Traditional pothole patching materials don’t hold up well in cold weather, meaning many temporary fixes wash away quickly. Once spring arrives and road crews begin working on permanent repairs, drivers may find themselves dodging more potholes than usual.
The Impact of Potholes on Your Vehicle
Hitting a pothole at high speed or frequently driving over rough roads can lead to:
- Tire damage – Potholes can cause sidewall bulges, tread separation, or even a flat tire.
- Wheel misalignment – Repeated jolts from potholes can throw off your wheel alignment, making your car pull to one side.
- Suspension problems – Struts, shocks, and control arms take a hit every time your car goes over a pothole, leading to poor handling and uneven tire wear.
- Underbody damage – Deep potholes can scrape the bottom of your vehicle, potentially damaging exhaust components or the oil pan.
Minimize Pothole Damage
While potholes may be unavoidable, you can take steps to reduce their impact:
- Keep your tires properly inflated – Underinflated or overinflated tires are more vulnerable to damage from potholes.
- Drive cautiously in areas prone to potholes – Avoid sudden braking or swerving, and try to slow down before hitting a pothole rather than braking while inside it.
- Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles – This gives you a better chance of spotting potholes in advance.
- Get your suspension and alignment checked regularly – If your car starts pulling to one side or feels unstable, it may have suffered pothole-related damage.
If you’ve hit one too many potholes and your car doesn’t feel the same, Westside Car Care in Yakima, WA, can help. Our technicians can inspect your suspension, alignment, and tires to ensure your vehicle stays safe and smooth on the road. Call or visit us today for expert service!