After months of erosion due to freeze-thaw cycles underground, asphalt can collapse when driven over by heavy vehicles, resulting in unsightly potholes. In addition to being an eyesore on your property, these flaws will also damage the cars that run over them. Here are just some of the problems you might experience if you don’t invest in pothole repairs.

3 Ways Potholes Harm Vehicles

1. Exhaust System

This component runs along the underbelly of your car, carrying gasses from the engine block out to the exhaust pipes at the rear. If your wheels fall into a pothole, the bottom of your car might scrape the road, damaging it. While some vehicles may only see denting, a deep pothole could cause a leak in the system, preventing it from safely directing exhaust. In some cases, the fumes could even enter your car’s cabin.

2. Tires

Tires have the ability to support and cushion your vehicle, passengers, and cargo because they are filled with pressurized air. However, their inflatable quality also leaves them more susceptible to damage from jagged areas on the road. When you hit a pothole, the intensity of the blow could dislodge the sidewall, making the tire burst—or at least go flat. It could also damage the tread, causing your tires to deteriorate faster.

3. Suspension System

Sometimes, the impact of a pothole is so great that it throws the car out of alignment by damaging the suspension system. This section sits between the wheels and the auto body, allowing you and your passengers to ride comfortably without feeling everything the tires do. However, a pothole can bend parts of the suspension system, causing the car to sit at an angle on top of its wheels. The best way to identify this problem is to see if your vehicle pulls to the left or right when you’re trying to drive straight.

If you have a pothole on your property, don’t allow it to damage your car—reach out to L.P. Stewart & Sons Inc. of Lincoln, NE, for pothole repair. They have over 75 years of experience providing eco-friendly solutions for a variety of contracting services. They are proud to provide everything from pothole repair to acreage mowing, and they offer high-quality landscaping materials and aggregates. For more information on their work, visit the website, or call (402) 423-5676 to schedule an appointment.