Hitting a pothole is jarring, especially if you don’t have time to slow down. In extreme situations, potholes can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, but they can also inflict serious damage on your tires, exhaust, and other vital parts of your car. Knowing how potholes can affect your vehicle can help you avoid these unfortunate situations and prevent expensive repairs.

Potholes & Car Damage

What Is a Pothole?

Potholes come in all shapes and sizes, from small divots in the pavement to large craters of missing asphalt. In the winter, moisture in the ground underneath the paved surface freezes, causing the soil to buck and heave. This movement cracks the surface and compromises the integrity of the pavement, which eventually erodes and breaks away.

What Damage Can a Pothole Cause?

Many potholes have sharp edges, which can rip up car tires even at relatively low speeds. Hitting a pothole hard enough can also dent or deform the wheel itself, which could also ruin your tires.

Shocks, struts, and other parts of the suspension can also suffer serious damage after hitting a pothole, potentially affecting the handling of your vehicle and causing other components to fail. Depending on the height of your car, the muffler or other parts of the exhaust can strike the edge of a pothole, causing cracks or even breaking off parts.

How to Avoid Pothole Damage

While potholes can’t always be avoided, taking precautions can minimize the risk of damage to your car. Leaving enough space between your vehicle and the car in front of you will give you time to react before hitting a dangerous pothole.

If possible, try to slow down before driving over damaged asphalt, and avoid speeding in parking lots. Finally, check your tires regularly and ensure they’re properly inflated.

With one of the largest selections of high-quality tires from several leading manufacturers, Nu-Deal Oil Co. is New Athens, IL’s first choice for auto repairs and service. Their experienced technicians have been assisting drivers throughout the area for over 80 years, delivering honest service and results you can trust. Visit their website to see their inventory of tires and other parts or call (618) 939-3622 to make an appointment.