LANSING, MI -- Pothole season is here, and it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Yes, the Michigan Legislature has approved a supplemental spending bill that will help fund road agencies across the state stretched thin by an epic winter and now facing a bumpy spring.

But this week's temperature fluctuations -- much of lower Michigan hit 40-plus degrees on Tuesday, dipped to five below early Thursday and should hit the 40s again on Friday -- is about the worst thing that could happen to the roads.

It's not the cold that causes potholes. It's the ice that builds up below the pavement, causing it to rise and fall opposite the thermometer. Ice pushes up from beneath, but when it melts, the pavement doesn't always drop, leaving a hidden bubble that sits in wait for your car to crush.

The Michigan Department of Transportation, which maintains state trunklines and is pushing lawmakers for a long-term funding fix, spent $8.8 million filling potholes last year and expects to spend up to twice that amount in 2014. But as director Kirk Steudle noted in a release, road agencies can't get ahead of the problem.

"Potholes form so quickly that crews can't get all of them right away, and they're showing up nearly everywhere on state and local roads," Steudle said. "If you leave your driveway, you're almost certainly going to cross some awful potholes this spring."

With that depressing reality as backdrop, the department released a series of tips for motorists forced to drive on cratered roads. The advisory began with a rather obvious pro tip -- "it's best to avoid hitting potholes whenever possible" -- but also included some sound advice that prompted this special edition of Traffic Talk, a column that has spent most of the year parked in the garage.

Check out the recommendations below, and share your own pothole tips in the comments section.

Prepare your vehicle: Before you run the gauntlet, you'll want to fine-tune your ride. MDOT recommends checking your tire inflation first. Too much or too little are both bad. While you're down there, check your rubber. Worn out or bulging tires are less likely to survive a crunch. If you've got the cash, get your steering components and suspension checked out. The former can help you avoid a pothole, and the latter is important when you hit one.

Be on the look out: The less you tailgate, the more time you're going to give yourself to dodge potholes. And be wary of puddles. "Since water is a critical component to forming potholes, that puddle may be at work creating one as you drive through it," according to MDOT. "Keep a firm grip on your steering wheel as potholes can cause your vehicle to change direction suddenly. Don't swerve into an occupied lane. No one wants pothole damage to escalate to a collision causing further damage or injury."

How to hit a pothole: Believe it or not, closing your eyes, throwing up your hands and cursing loudly probably isn't the best way to approach a pothole. Some motorists like to jam the brakes, others will speed up to jump the thing, but MDOT recommends something in between. If there's no time to dodge a pothole, slow down as much as you can but release the brakes before impact.

"This helps to reduce the speed at impact as well as give your suspension the full range of travel to absorb the impact," MDOT explains. "If you can't avoid the pothole, straighten your wheel to hit it squarely and roll through. Hitting a pothole at an angle can transfer the energy of impact in ways more likely to damage your vehicle."

Don't ignore the damage: So you hit a pothole. Know that you're not alone. Beyond that, MDOT recommends checking for tire or wheel damage and feeling for any steering wheel pull, bottoming out or unusual bouncing. You might need a new tire, realignment or suspension work. "You probably should get your vehicle checked out and repaired, if necessary," MDOT notes. "A properly maintained vehicle can help you avoid all sorts of road hazards."

Got any better tips? Know a safe and effective way to drive around, on or over potholes? Share your ideas below.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.