Hitting a pothole is often surprising and uncomfortable. But, in addition to the immediate bump, it can also lead to significant vehicle damage. Potholes can damage the following parts of your vehicle.
1. Tires
Tires are particularly susceptible to pothole damages. The sudden impact of a pothole can lead your tires to bulge or the threading to separate. This can make the tires unsafe, putting you at risk of having them blow out while you are driving. In some cases, the pothole may lead to some of the air in the tire leaking out, which puts you at risk of further damages later on.
Your tire pressure monitoring system may indicate that your vehicle’s tire pressure has dropped, which is an indication that there is a problem with the tires. Because air loss is not the only problem with impacted tires, it is best to have them looked at, just in case.
2. Wheels
When your tires are affected, your wheels are likely to be impacted, as well. If you hit a pothole hard enough, it can cause your wheels to bend or crack. This can mess with your vehicle’s alignment, or lead to further damage to your tires. Some wheel damage may be visible, whereas other types of damage are not as easy to identify until the problem gets worse.
3. Exhaust
A pothole can also damage your vehicle’s exhaust system. Much of the exhaust system runs under the vehicle’s body, which is exposed. If the vehicle hits a pothole hard enough, or bottoms out, it could dent, or pull off part of your exhaust system. This can lead to dangerous pollution, either in the air or in your vehicle.
4. Suspension
A large enough pothole can also damage your vehicle’s suspension system. This usually leads to your vehicle pulling to one side. Even a minor misalignment should be looked at because it can cause further wear and tear on your tires and wheels. If your vehicle drives differently or it feels loose in general, it may be due to the suspension.
How To Avoid Potholes
Avoiding potholes is not always easy. One minute you’re driving along and the next, a large pothole comes out of nowhere. When you’re met with the decision to swerve into traffic or hit the pothole, most people will brace for the pothole and deal with the damages later. While this may be the best thing to do, staying aware at all times on the road can help you avoid potholes.
Avoid distractions while driving, whether that means texting and driving, or paying attention to backseat passengers. Pothole damage can be expensive, so it is best to avoid them in the first place, if possible.
If you suspect that a pothole has led to any damage to your vehicle, it is important that you visit your dealership. Ignoring pothole damages can make them worse, which could lead to thousands of dollars of damages. Even worse, pothole damages can make your vehicle less safe, putting you at risk of a tire blowout or other vehicle problems. If your tires need to be repaired due to pothole damage, come visit us at Lenoir City Ford today!
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