I read this a couple weeks ago before I got my Smart and thought,"Potholes in Minnesota in the winter, what a surprise!" But now that I have my new car, and I have hit a couple medium sized holes, I understand your concern. It is not the potholes, it is the car. My old car just cruised right across them with just a little thud, but the Smart feels like I am denting the wheel rims. I have learned to be very observant and drive very carefully anywhere, including Hwy 62.