Chicago pothole season: 3 tips to minimize damage to your vehicle

CHICAGO - Twenty-six-and-a-half billion dollars: that’s how much drivers spent on repairing vehicle damage last year after hitting potholes.

The end of winter, beginning of spring is known as pothole season — when the weather is stuck in a cycle of freezing and thawing.

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AAA says that 1-in-10 drivers will spend at least $600 on repairs this year.

So here are three tips to minimize your damage:

1. Have your tires checked to make sure they are properly inflated. Maintaining the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure is the best shield between your vehicle and a pothole.
2. Stay alert and slow down.
3. If you hit a pothole, pay attention to any new or unusual noises or vibrations. If you detect something is off with your vehicle, take it to a trusted repair facility for a full vehicle inspection as soon as possible.