Those who live or work in the Montreal metropolitan area will not be surprised to read this headline. Indeed, the state of Montreal’s road network is considered one of the worst in North America, and it’s not us who say so! In a recent contest organized by Nokian, it is to the biggest city in Quebec that Internet users gave this unenviable title…
Even if this contest is to be taken lightly, it nevertheless highlights a much more serious problem. Anyone who has driven in the region can attest to this: potholes are all too present in the urban landscape. In addition to being aesthetically disruptive, these holes in the road are also the cause of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in mechanical damage each year.
Source of flat tires and damage
A standard modern car has a suspension system that can take a pretty big hit, but the tires still have to hold up! If you hit a pothole, the shock of hitting the edge of the road can easily cause punctures and breaks. This is even more the case if the tire is slightly worn and if the temperature is particularly cold.
To reduce the risk of having problems while driving on our beautiful Quebec roads, there are a few things you can do. The first is to buy good quality tires. It may seem obvious, but when shopping around, many people prefer less expensive, but also less solid models. The price may seem attractive, but their lack of strength greatly reduces their lifespan. Over the years, the bill will be similar or even greater than with quality tires!
While driving, there are ways to reduce the force of the impact with the pothole. The easiest way is to slow down, as long as it is safe to do so. Be careful, however, to release the brakes a few meters before contact. Braking too hard would cause a weight transfer to the front of the vehicle. Ironically, it would increase the power of the impact!
Check the pressure
Our last tip is to check your tire pressure regularly. Whether it is too high or too low, it can easily cause problems if it is inadequate! If it is too high, it will make your tire too hard and therefore more likely to tear. If, on the other hand, your tire is too soft, it can be compressed against the rim, which can lead to tire and wheel failure.
In the end, it doesn’t take much to ride safely. Even in the city with the worst roads in North America. The next time you have to ride on one of these damaged roads, at least you’ll know what to do!
