Why You Should Avoid Potholes on the Road

Not only can hitting a pothole on the road be painful for the passengers, but it can also be painful to your car. If you hit a pothole in your car, it can cause the steering wheel to misalign, damage to the exhaust system, the car to drift, and other issues. Here’s what those damages could do to your car! 

What is a Pothole?

A pothole is a hole found on the road. These can range from many different shapes and sizes, but they are most commonly caused by expansion and contraction of groundwater after the water has entered into the ground under the pavement, according to Summit Engineer. You’re more likely to see potholes in the street during the winter and spring due to snow and rainfall, however they can appear anytime of the year.  

Potholes can appear in the street suddenly, which is why it’s always important to keep your eye on where your wheels are headed – even if it’s a street you drive along every single day. 

How Potholes Affect Your Car

Did you know that American drivers pay up to $300 on average to repair damage to their cars caused by potholes? According to YourMechanic.com, here is a list of areas to check on your car if you run over a pothole: 

1.Your tires

This is the most obvious place to check first because your tires are what make direct contact with the damaged roadway. If you run over one, your tires could suffer damage like sidewall bulges, tread separation, and even flats. This happens because these holes typically have rough, hard edges that can compress the tire on impact. To help prevent tire damage, always be sure you’re driving with tires that are properly inflated. 

2.Your wheels 

No one wants scratched up rims, but that’s what a pothole can do to them. However, other than cosmetic damage, potholes can cause the wheel to move in ways they’re not designed to. This can cause bends, chips, and cracks. All of these will make it hard for them to roll smoothly, which isn’t good for your car.

3.Suspension

Your car’s suspension is made to absorb impact and give you a smooth ride, however it can only take so much. The sudden nature of hitting a pothole can cause a number of suspension problems, like: misalignment, broken ball joints, and damaged shocks. In most cases, your mechanic can put the alignment back on track, but if you don’t get it fixed you risk having your car pull in one direction and having your tires wear unevenly. Keep an eye and ear out for weird vibrations, noises, and poor driving quality – all of which can signal your suspension needs to be looked at. 

4.Exhaust 

Your car’s exhaust pipes can be found along the undercarriage, which makes them susceptible to pothole damage. Larger holes can cause your car to bottom out, which means that the undercarriage will scratch up against the road. This can cause loss of power, noises, and it can potentially leak harmful pollution. Even further, it could cause a leaky pipe to let exhaust fumes into your car, which is a serious health concern. 

5.The body

The smaller the car and the lower to the ground, the more likely it is to suffer damage from a pothole. Smaller cars have low-hanging bumpers and siding, which can suffer cosmetic damage upon impact. 

Call Scott’s Auto

Thankfully, most potholes you’ll come in contact with aren’t large enough to cause detrimental damage to your car. However, it’s important to look your car over for signs of damage to prevent serious problems from occurring. We know that potholes aren’t waiting for the global health pandemic to end to harm your car, so if you have problems during this time contact Scott’s. During this time, we are now offering the following FREE services:

• No contact drop off and pick up
• Pick up and delivery in the Fort Collins and Loveland area
• Towing with repair (some restrictions apply)

If you hit a pothole and notice damage, call Scott’s Auto. Our experienced team can help you with any problem you’re facing. With two convenient locations in the Fort Collins and Loveland area, call now. Fort Collins: (970)-682-4202 Loveland: (970)-541-4404.