An epidemic has hit the streets of New Jersey, wreaking havoc on cars and their drivers with reckless abandon. According to one car insurance company, potholes are doing far more damage to cars than in previous years. More than just bumps in the road, these hazards can create serious maintenance and safety problems for careless drivers. If you want to keep your ride out of harm's way, it will require some knowledge, preparation and maintenance.

Don't be caught off guard
As a product of extreme winter temperatures and icy conditions, you can't avoid potholes from cropping up, but you can remain extra vigilant in the months following the thaw to make sure you don't run into them. Keeping your eyes on the road and scanning the lane ahead of you can help you spot these sneaky tire traps with enough time to try and safely avoid them. Be extra wary of large puddles, as they tend to be favorite hiding places for potholes and can catch unsuspecting drivers off guard. 

If a meeting between you and a pothole seems inevitable, react accordingly. You'll want to slow down, but be careful not to slam on the brakes – doing so means you may hit the pothole when your suspension is dropped, which drastically increases the chance of something getting knocked out of alignment.

Fight back
You don't have to get caught flat-footed by potholes. There are things you can do to help steel your wheels against potential pothole damage, as well as check after such an encounter. One of the biggest weapons in your arsenal is proper tire pressure. Those four wheels are taking the brunt of the impact every time you hit a divot, so keeping them in good shape is crucial for avoiding costly damage to your car. Underinflated tires can damage not only the tires themselves, but can also cause them to rebound harshly against your suspension, potentially knocking that out of whack as well, according to a press release from Plymouth Rock Assurance.

Your car's suspension is another favored target of devious potholes, and oftentimes it can be more difficult and less immediate to notice if anything has been knocked out of alignment. If you hit a particularly nasty bump, it may be a good idea to get your suspension checked, especially if you notice your car pulling to one side.

If you think your car may need repairs, make an appointment with the NJ State Auto Auction Total Car Care Center. The skilled mechanics are on hand to help keep your car running smoothly.