Due to Hawaii’s extensive rainy season, many of its roads are frequently littered with potholes, and when these craters catch you off guard, they can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. At Kilani Fender in Wahiawa, HI, they see their fair share of this type of auto body work. To help you avoid a hefty bill and keep you safe while on the road, their staff shares a few guidelines they suggest you follow:

A Guide to Avoiding Potholes & Future Auto Body Work

Stay Attentive

If you want to lower your chances of hitting a pothole, the first thing you should do is put your phone away when you get into your car and until you reach your destination. Remove any other distractions that might be in your vehicle, and if you frequently drive with kids, make sure there’s something to distract them so you won’t have to divert your attention.

Don’t Tailgate

There is no predicting how a driver in front of you will react at any time, especially if they see a pothole. Give yourself plenty of time to spot unsafe situations and react accordingly by leaving a safe distance between you and vehicles in front of you. 

Avoid Swerving

This might seem like the smartest decision you could make when you spot a pothole, but it increases the likelihood of injuring yourself and your car as you could hit a car in another lane. Instead, slow down and hit the pothole head-on. 

Slow Down

When you’re on a road pockmarked with holes, it’s best to avoid speeding. This will give you time to react to potholes and limit the damage done to your vehicle. Whenever it’s possible to avoid these types of roads, do so.

Watch Out for Water

Try to avoid pools of water. When water collects, it becomes difficult to spot the potholes underneath. A seemingly shallow puddle can conceal a deep hole and other threats to your vehicle. 

If your car recently suffered damage from hitting a pothole, contact the vehicle refinishing team at Kilani Fender for help. Call (808) 621-4888 to learn more about their auto body work. You can also visit their website anytime to view their list of auto body collision repair services.