Did you know pothole damage costs drivers over $3 billion per year? They’re an everyday road hazard that can cause major damage to your vehicle. If your car hits a pothole, it’s time for a checkup and possibly some vehicle maintenance to get you safely back on the road.
What’s a Pothole?
Potholes are crevices or holes in the road caused by water permeating the surface and softening it. The gaps then absorb more water, further weakening the pavement. Each passing vehicle makes the gaps separate more and, finally, pieces of the roadway get dislodged, leaving a hole.
Pothole Damage Affects the Whole Vehicle
What can happen to your vehicle when it hits a pothole? First, the good news: if the car’s tires are properly inflated, it should be able to deal with smaller potholes just fine. If you hit a bigger, deeper one, you could be looking at anything from a misalignment to a blown strut. Here are just five ways hitting a pothole can damage your car:
- Tires. Tread separation, sidewall bulges or flats can all result from hitting a pothole. Whatever you do, don’t drive on damaged tires; have them replaced asap.
- Suspension. It’s designed to provide a smooth ride by absorbing normal impacts, but it does have its limits. A jarring hit to a pothole can cause misalignment, damaged shocks or struts or a broken ball joint. Telltale signs include your car pulling in one direction, an off-center steering wheel, or poor ride quality.
- Exhaust pipes are a perfect target for potholes. They run along the undercarriage of your car and a deep pothole can cause your car to bottom out, ripping a hole in them or in the catalytic converter or muffler. In a worst-case scenario, you could experience a loss of power or have exhaust fumes enter your vehicle. Schedule vehicle maintenance to avoid this serious health hazard.
- Wheels. Damaged tires are bad enough, but chipped or crack wheels can cause significant harm. Chips look like a chunk’s missing from where the rim meets the tire. Subtle hairline cracks can be harder to detect. And while a bent wheel can sometimes be repaired, you’ll have to replace a chipped or cracked one.
- Body damage. Because they sit lower to the ground, sportier cars are more prone to body damage after hitting a pothole. Fortunately, most damage is cosmetic and doesn’t affect your car’s safety or performance.
Preventing Pothole Damage
There are plenty of proactive steps you can take to minimize pothole damage to your car. One of the best is to make sure the tires are properly inflated. Experts also recommend keeping a safe distance from cars in front of you so you can better avoid spotted potholes.
Get Needed Vehicle Maintenance at Valley Automall
The dealerships at Valley Automall have the equipment and expertise to ensure your car receives thorough, efficient service to prevent or repair pothole damage. Contact us online or call us at 702-570-2257 to schedule your vehicle maintenance today.