It's that time of year again. Potholes are showing up across the city and causing damage to vehicles that can cost in the hundreds - and sometimes even thousands - to repair.

The Canadian Automobile Association says potholes form when rain, freezing rain and snow work into the soil underneath pavement. As the temperature drops, water freezes and expands, pushing the soil and pavement up.

When it starts to thaw, water flows out and the soil recedes, creating a hole under the pavement. A vehicle passing over the area then breaks the pavement, causing a pothole.

The weaker the pavement, the more likely potholes will develop.

Car parts that can be damaged by potholes include:

  • Mufflers
  • Wheel rims / hubcaps
  • Tires
  • Suspension components
  • Shock absorbers
  • Wheel alignment

Avoiding potholes is the best way to defend against them. Here are some tips from CAA and Jeremy Hanford of Hanford’s Tire and Service:

  • Keep your speed down.
  • Inspect your tires regularly for damage and get it fixed quickly.
  • Be cautious when the roads are wet, as there may be a pothole under a puddle.
  • Stay off seams at the edges and centre of the road, a key spot where potholes usually develop. Also watch the curbside of the road.
  • Be extra careful at night when potholes are hard to see.
  • Make sure headlights are clean.
  • Be wary of a pavement edge that drops off - a collision could occur if you lose control. If your tires fall off the edge of the pavement, slow down and avoid braking. When slowed and in control, steer back onto the roadway.
  • Watch out for cyclists swerving to avoid potholes.
  • Beware of cars or trucks suddenly swerving into your lane to miss a pothole.
  • Avoid potholes in a safe manner - don't swerve, watch for other motorists.
  • Keep tires at proper inflation. An improperly inflated tire increases the chance it will burst when it hits a pothole.
  • Have tires, wheels and suspension components of your car inspected if you frequently drive over pothole roads or if you suspect damage.
  • If you must go over a pothole, go slowly and don't hit the brakes or you may compound the damage.
  • At the end of the winter driving season, have your vehicle’s alignment inspected.

Costs to Motorists: Damage to vehicles from potholes can range from about $100 to $2,000. Tires and rims are the most common areas of damage. If a driver loses control due to a pothole, more damage can result.