pothole

As our temperatures begin to rise, you may be ready to get out there, roll your windows down, and go for a beautiful drive. But before you hit the pavement, you’ll need to employ a little defensive driving. While spring brings warmer weather, beautiful flowers, and sunny skies, it also brings with it potholes on the road. It’s definitely best to avoid potholes as you drive around town, but you probably know from past experience that potholes can sneak up and surprise you. So, if you’ve run into a pothole this spring, we want to warn you of 4 potential problems for your car to look out for.

Tires & Wheels

You’ve done your best to avoid potholes all season when out of the blue you’ve driven right into one. The first thing to look out for after hitting that pothole is your tires & wheels. The obvious signs of damage is definitely a flat tire, but did you know that potholes can cause internal damage to your tires as well? Depending on the depth and length of that pothole, and whether your tires are inflated properly, your tires can also sustain internal damage. Look for bulges and bubbles on your tires which is a sign that the internal structure or sidewall of your tire has been damaged from the impact. Neglecting those bulges and bubbles can lead to blowouts and you being stranded by the side of the road.

While you’re down there inspecting your tires – you might as well inspect your wheels as well. Wheels are especially susceptible to a pothole run in when your tires aren’t inflated properly. Wheels can bend, crack, or break upon impact with a pothole. Since repair options are limited that typically means replacing that wheel. Whether you notice damage to your tire or wheel, it’s always best to have your mechanic inspect your damaged tires to keep you safe on the road all year long.

Suspension & Alignment issues when Hitting a Pothole

After your tires, your suspension system is vulnerable to damage when you drive over a pothole. When you run over a pothole, parts like your suspension arm and tie rod may become damaged. Also, the impact may knock your system out of alignment. Signs your alignment is not right include pulling to one side while driving, shaking when driving at high speeds, and extra bouncing after driving over that bump. It’s best to take care of this issue right away as misalignment can cause your tires to wear quickly and unevenly, which eventually causes a safety issue for your car. If you notice these signs after hitting a pothole, ask your mechanic to take a look, and inspect your suspension system.

Pothole damage to Shock Absorbers

Your shock absorbers can break on impact – making them a high priority after you’ve unexpectedly hit a pothole. Damaged shock absorbers can cause leaking oil and extra bouncing after you hit a bump while driving. One quick test for your shock absorbers is to push down hard on the front corner of your car a few times. If your car bounces a few more times after this test, it’s a good idea to have your mechanic take a peek to see if you need to replace them.

Exhaust System

One last area to check out after hitting that pothole this spring is your exhaust system. Upon impact, your exhaust can break loose, or even bend which can cause strange noises coming from your back end. If you do notice any strange noises or you can see damage to your exhaust pipe, bring it in.

Potholes come with the territory every spring. While slowing down and driving defensively can help you avoid them, sometimes driver over that unexpected pothole is inevitable. We’re ready to help you inspect your car for any damage and get you back on the road again in no time.