Sears Auto #PotholeProbs

Some would say we have had a pretty hard winter, in which can take its tolls on the roads. I know we have seen some nasty cracks and potholes in our small town. So I can only image how bad the road conditions are in major cities. With messed up roads comes rougher conditions for your vehicle to operate in. Matter of fact potholes are your car’s tires and alignment’s worst nightmare.

Sears Auto Wants to Combat #PotholeProbs

Think your city is the best of the worst? Submit your pothole picture along with your city and state to @SearsAuto using #PotholeProbs via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for a chance to ‎win your entire city a standard alignment service for only $49.99 (Reg. Price $84.99) — because the city with the most pothole photos using hashtag #PotholeProbs probably needs it the most!

Example Tweet:

Details of Sears Auto #PotholeProbs program include: 

• Between Feb. 15 and March 7, 2015, enter by sharing a photo via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and including their city name, tagging #PotholeProbs.
• The city with the most submissions at the end of the program period will receive an exclusive deal on alignment services – $49.99 for a standard alignment (regularly $84.99) and 10% off RoadHandler® tires, wheels, balancing, steering and suspension to address any alignment issues.
• The winning city will be announced the week of March 8, 2015, and the deal will be redeemable at participating Sears Auto locations in/near the winning city until April 4, 2015.
• For full contest rules and to follow all the action of #PotholeProbs presented by Sears Auto visit SearsAuto.com/PotholeProbs

Potholes do more damaging than you think:

At times the road can get a little rough – construction, loose gravel, uneven pavement and those infamous potholes. These craters can cause big problems and not just to your tires and suspension system, but even to your engine. Here’s how to handle the hazardous holes in the road.

Reaction Time

Reacting properly to a pothole can help avoid costly damage to your vehicle. Here is what you should do:

  • Stay at least a car’s length behind the car in front of you. This gives you a wider view of the road – allowing you to see if you are approaching any road hazards.
  • Do not swerve to avoid a pothole. Doing this could potentially cause an accident. Instead, grab control of your wheel and slow down so the impact with the pothole is less severe.
  • Keep your tires properly inflated. Under or over inflated tires are more at risk for blowouts and flats.
  • Report a pothole to your state or city’s official website. That way, potholes can be fixed for future drivers and make the roads safer.

What’s your damage?

In the event you do hit a pothole (or several), there are a number of key areas on your vehicle to check over to ensure there isn’t any severe damage. These include:

Bulging tires: If you see any size bump on the side of your tire, you’ll want to get to a Sears Auto Center as quickly as possible.

Under the car: Small rocks or pieces of pavement can puncture or dent your vehicle’s fluid lines, or even get lodged in your brakes.

Rims: Dents, large scratches or scrapes can cause vibration, a tear in your tire, buildup of rust or loss of air pressure.

Exhaust and engine: If you’re hearing odd noises coming from your vehicle, or your exhaust has gotten a bit louder, you can bet it’s probably not a good sign. Take precaution and drive carefully to your local Sears Auto Center.

What can I do to fix my car?

If you hit a pothole and discover a problem with your car, don’t panic. Simply visit your local Sears Auto Center or schedule an appointment online. Our experts will evaluate the situation and suggest only necessary repairs. Commonly suggested services for pothole damage include:

  • Alignment
  • Tire patching, replacement and maintenance
  • Vehicle Inspection
  • Tire balancing