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Potholes develop as the winter ice melts away and freezing temperatures start to warm up. This pervasive road wear can cause serious damage to your car, and in particular to the vehicle's ride control system.

If you do drive over a pothole, the Car Care Council recommends that you have your car's shocks or struts checked to make sure they aren't damaged. Your Ford Dealer Service Department can perform this check up for you.

Shocks and struts control how vehicles ride and handle. The shock absorbers, or struts as they are referred to on late-model vehicles, act as a cushion to dampen the bouncing action of a car's springs. The springs absorb the road bumps; without them, the vehicle would continually bounce and bound down the road, making driving extremely difficult.

Shocks and struts also control spring and suspension movement to keep the tires in contact with the road. This affects steering, stability and braking. A broken shock or strut could alter the steering and handling of a vehicle and create driving dangers. It's important to be aware of the warning signs that your vehicle's shocks or struts may need to be replaced.

Check your vehicle for these warning signs of pothole damage:
* The vehicle rolls or sways on turns
* The vehicle's front-end dives when braking
* The vehicle's rear end squats when accelerating
* The vehicle bounces or slides on a winding, rough road
* The vehicle "bottoms out" or thumps on bumps
* The vehicle sits lower in the front or rear
* The vehicle looses directional control during sudden stops
* The vehicle is leaking or has signs of physical damage, such as rusting or dents

Many components affect a vehicle's handling. Having your car inspected, if you experience any of these signs, is good preventive maintenance and can help its parts wear less and last longer.

"If you think you may have a worn out or broken shock or strut, don't wait," said Car Care Council's Rich White.

Be proactive. Take your car to your professional Ford service technician right away. Heading off any trouble is what Ford service is all about.