How to Get Through Pothole Season in Michigan

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,––We can all agree that our roads are not in the best shape in Michigan. Even though they're not in ideal shape, we still need to use them to get where we need to be, and that can mean risking damage to your car. Because it's Spring, and the weather has been moving in between warm and cold, potholes seem to be almost everywhere. There are some things you can do and tips you can follow that'll help you survive without car damage. Here's how to get through pothole season in Michigan:

1. Slow Down 

This is a great tip from Chevrolet. One of the best things you can do is to avoid driving on potholes all together, but it's not always plausible with other traffic, pedestrians, etc. If you do have to hit a pothole, try to slow down as much as possible to deafen the blow.

2. Scan the Road

If you can safely do so, continue scanning the road ahead as you're driving to spot potential potholes. Many times rain or collected water on the road can cover a pothole, making it look like an innocent puddle. When you're scanning the road, look for puddles, cracks, and other rough patches where a pothole might pop up.

3. Make Sure Your Tires Are Ready

You want your tires to be ready for any sort of situation, including potholes. Following regular tire maintenance, like keeping your tires properly inflated, having your tires regularly rotated, and checking for damage, is great for fuel efficiency, even tire wear, and your safety. Overinflated AND under inflated tires can rupture more easily than a properly inflated tire during a pothole hit.

4. Be Prepared & Take Action

This is another great tip from Chevrolet to survive pothole season. Being prepared means, having the equipment for a tire change in your car and knowing what damage to look for if you do hit a pothole. Potholes can damage more than just your tires, so make a note to inspect your wheels, exhaust, and alignment, or have us a Graff Mt. Pleasant check for you. Additionally, if you notice large potholes, take action and report them to the city or road commission in your area so they can be filled sooner than later!



We know potholes are a major pain to deal with in Michigan, but hope these tips can help you master avoiding them. If you need more help getting through pothole season in Michigan, Graff Mt. Pleasant is here to assist. We have great deals on tires and auto service throughout the year, and a experienced team for your tire rotation, tire replacement, and alignment needs. You can conveniently schedule your appointment online at either of our locations, grab service coupons online, and check-in on Facebook for a discount on a front-end alignment or oil change. For more Spring Car Care tips, see our Seasonal Maintenance pages online.


At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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Ways to Spruce Up Your Home for Spring

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.––Spring has finally sprung in Michigan! Even though the weather hasn't provided us with much sunshine and time to enjoy the outdoors yet, there are still ways to celebrate the arrival of the season. You can make your Mt. Pleasant abode feel sunny and warm with these easy ways to spruce up your home for Spring!

1. Declutter 

Don't get stuck on the notion that "Spring cleaning" needs to be a complete overhaul of all your things. Your Spring cleaning efforts can be focused on easier tasks like decluttering that can help clear your mind and make your home look spruced up. You can start by decluttering one room, or by giving yourself a time limit. Our advice is: if you haven't used the item you pickup in over a year, it might be time to let it go. Keep boxes or bags at hand to help separate donations, throw aways, and items for storage.

2. Clean 

Start with the basics like dusting surfaces, cleaning the windows, and vacuuming. Then, move on to your more detailed tasks. Make a list of cleaning tasks for each area you want to focus on, and check them off as you go. We think it helps to do a few small tasks each day for a week or so to avoid the overwhelming and exhausting feeling that can often come with a large to-do list.

3. Rearrange Furniture & Decor

Change is scary, but sometimes it can be low risk and exciting at the same time! If you want to truly rejuvenate your space, try rearranging your furniture. You can reconfigure the existing furniture or decor pieces within one room, or mix it up by swapping items from different rooms such as side tables, TV stands, etc. This can help you eliminate or repurpose items that aren't being used. Take some time to do this task and really think it through before you start moving heavy pieces of furniture around willy-nilly.

4. Decorate Your Newly Cleaned & Rearranged Space

Once your space is decluttered and cleaned, it's time to move on to the fun part! When you break out your storage items, or go shopping for new decor items - think bright or pastel colored accent items. You could replace your dark rug with a bright floral rug, put a fresh (or fake) vase of flowers out on the coffee table, or throw bright covers on your couch pillows. We think it's better to invest in generic items, as opposed to holiday-related items so you can reuse or repurpose them easily.

5. Bring Some Fresh Greenery Inside

When the Michigan weather just isn't cooperating, you can still enjoy the fresh greenery inside. Head to your local garden center or other department store and pickup some live plants. Some plants like bamboo palms, snake plants, and peace lilies can help purify the air in your home. Other plants like jade and aloe vera are easy to take care of. Pick your plants based on their care requirements and what they offer for your home.


We want to help you celebrate the season with these ways to spruce up your home for Spring. Stay tuned to our blog for tips on cleaning your car this Spring, too. Don't forget to check out our Spring Car Care tips as well so you're safe on the road wherever you're headed this season. We can help with any routine maintenance or repairs you might need. Save time by scheduling online and save money by using our service coupons. Don't forget to check in on Facebook for additional savings on front-end alignment and oil change services at both of our dealership locations!


At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube