This winter’s rain and snow will once again make for slick driving conditions on soaked roads. However, this is only one of the dangers we face during a water-saturated commute.

Moisture seepage into the streets and highways weakens pavement and creates severe potholes that can destroy tires, wheels and alignment. Driving through one of these jagged divots can damage a tire internally, lead to tire failure, and, at the very least, create uneven tread wear. Taking all of these potential hazards into consideration, it is imperative to make sure your tires are ready for the perils of winter driving.

"Hitting a pothole with an underinflated tire can severely damage your vehicle’s wheel," says Dan King, director of marketing, consumer products Yokohama Tire Corporation. "Also, when an overinflated tire comes in contact with a pothole, the tire itself is in danger of damage, so maintaining proper air pressure in your tires is vital for tire performance and tread life."

While tires must be properly maintained year-round, tire care is most important in frigid weather. Every time the mercury drops by 10 degrees, tire pressure falls one to two pounds per square inch, so keeping tires properly "pumped-up" during winter cold spells will save tires from pressure loss, reduce damage from bumps, jolts and other road hazards, while improving fuel economy and extend the overall life of the tire.

The best way to avoid potholes is to slow down and check the road ahead, but if there is no way to dodge the hole, brake first then roll slowly over it to assure less tire damage. Do not brake during impact because it sets up the tire for a solid hit against the edge of the pothole, creating a greater likelihood of tire damage that may not be visible for weeks.

Regularly scheduled wheel alignment, tire rotation and balancing can help ensure even tire treadwear, but after jarring impact from a series of winter’s highway holes, its wise to have your alignment examined more often than recommended twice-yearly checkup. Remember, safe tires translate to a safer drive in all kinds of weather.

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