How Potholes Can Damage Your Car

Most of us have been taught to avoid potholes while driving. It was probably one of the very first things we learned behind the wheel! Although most us know driving over potholes is bad for our vehicles, very few know exactly why that is. These are the parts of your vehicle you should be worried about if you accidentally drive over a pothole:

Steering System

If you hit a pothole, you risk misaligning your steering system. If you have noticed your vehicle pulling to the left or right while you are trying to steer straight, you could have a misaligned steering system. Other signs include uneven tire wear, squealing tires, or a crooked steering wheel while driving straight.

Tires

Potholes can damage your tires by resulting in punctures, bulging sidewalls, and excessive wear. If you notice damage to your tires after hitting a pothole, get it checked out as soon as possible to avoid a blowout.

Rims

Most vehicles are equipped with aluminum-based rims, which can suffer from dents if you hit a pothole hard enough. Bent or dented rims are bad news for your car, so be sure to have your rims checked out after hitting a particularly bad pothole.

Undercarriage/Exhaust

Did you know hitting a pothole can puncture parts beneath your vehicle or even damage your exhaust system? If your exhaust is making strange noises or your car is leaking new fluids, let your mechanic know and have the issue inspected.

Suspension

This one is probably the most commonly cited issue with driving over potholes. Potholes can damage and even break parts associated with your vehicle’s suspension system. Even just one bad hit can break a spring or shock absorber.

Clearly, potholes can cause some serious damage to your vehicle. If you’re wondering how to lessen the damage potholes may cause, here are some tips:

1. Slow down.
2. Don’t brake while going over the pothole (this can cause more damage).
3. Inflate your tires properly.

Following these tips can hopefully keep you from incurring a high repair bill.