Effects of Potholes On Our Vehicles

Spring is finally near. The grass will soon come alive and the birds will be singing. The season brings excitement for car enthusiasts or people who simply want to go for a relaxing drive. But your relaxation can easily turn to frustration. The potholes have become more and more common along our roads. They have grown much larger this year. In fact, if you encounter one of these monsters it will most likely jar the fillings from your teeth. The winter was hard on our roads, enough to be bad news for our vehicles. It only takes only one jolt to have many effects on our vehicles, some sudden and visible. But other effects can be hidden and unseen. Both can cause numerous

safety issues. Don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but you are bound to hit a behemoth pothole eventually, they are everywhere.

Potholes are notorious for causing numerous problems to our vehicles ranging from tire to alignment issues. Some of the problems to look for if you run into a pothole include:

Tire damage- Potholes can obviously cause major damage and leave you stranded on the side of the road. Blowouts can lead to dangerous situations so keep your tires inflated properly. Properly inflated tires with good tread depth will absorb a hit from a normal pothole better than an under or overinflated tire. If your hit a big pothole it is a good idea to have the tire checked because a tire can bulge

and/or tear and separate on the inside of the tire. Today’s low profile tires cannot withstand a hard jolt from a pothole when compared to larger sidewall tires. A tire shop will examine your tire to be sure it is safe and damage free.

Rims- Potholes can not only destroy tires but can also wreak havoc on the rims. The majority of rims used today are made of aluminum which is softer than the steel wheels used in earlier years. These rims can bend and cause the tire to lose air quickly. They can also become distorted and cause a dangerous wobble or shimmy. If the rim is damaged, chances are good that the tire pressure monitoring transducer (if mounted inside the rim) may also be damaged. Unfortunately, replacement for both is normally necessary and expensive. A minor jolt may cause the tire to become out of balance. If your car has a shimmy at certain speeds, have the wheel balance checked at a tire shop.

Suspension- Hitting a large pothole can cause extensive damage to the steering and suspension system in many ways. Suspension system components are often damaged. These items include shock absorbers, struts, tie rods etc. This is where the damage may not be visible but may become very unsafe. If you hit a large pothole and feel any type of changes in the handling of your vehicle, or if there is any vibration, shimmy or noises, don’t delay. Look for uneven tire wear. Take you vehicle to a certified technician for a thorough inspection of all suspension and steering components.

Many other parts can be affected by hitting even a small pothole in the road. Exhaust and body parts can be jolted loose and your wheel alignment can be changed in an instant causing issues with tire wear and handling problems. Driving the local roads and highway’s only gives proof to this fact as drivers can be seen putting their spare tires on and parts scattered along the notorious pothole areas. If you hit a pothole and are worried if there is damage, have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible. Trying to avoid potholes is your best bet but is at times impossible. The reality is that this winter created a lunar landscape filled with swimming pools waiting for your car to plunge in to, so drive slower and be careful.Happy Motoring Stay healthy and safe!