Pothole damage poses problems…
Your vehicle can suffer major damage due to a pothole in the road. Unfortunately, navigating around them is a daily reality. And most of the time, you can’t see a pothole until it’s too late–and the damage is already done.
If you hit a pothole, damage can range from steering system misalignment to bent rims to tire puncture. Plus, the damage isn’t always obvious. Noticeable or not, pothole damage can put your vehicle’s systems and parts in peril–so it’s very important to get an inspection as soon as possible to identify and address any problems.
That’s where we come in. Bring your vehicle in to us and we’ll conduct a complete vehicle inspection, assess any damage and correct pothole damage problems.
Pothole damage can lead to:
- Tire puncture, wear or damage
- Misalignment of your steering system
- Damage to wheel rims
- Engine damage
- Damaged suspension or broken suspension components
- Untimely wear to shocks and struts
- Damaged exhaust system
Give Douglas Automotive a call if you recently hit a pothole.
Signs of pothole damage
Tires: when your tires hit a pothole, their sidewalls may bulge. If this occurs, addressing the issue as soon as possible is crucial.
Rims: On most vehicles today, the rims are aluminum-based and, therefore, susceptible to dents. Hitting a deep pothole at a high rate of speed can lead to bent rims.
Exhaust System: It’s pretty common for a pothole to dent or puncture the undercarriage of your vehicle. Left unchecked, this can lead to fluid leaks and rust. By getting a complete vehicle inspection, our technicians can catch pothole problems before they wreak havoc on your vehicle.
Ways to avoid pothole damage
- It would be ideal if we could avoid every pothole. Sadly, it isn’t always that simple–since many potholes seem to appear from nowhere or aren’t visible at all. To minimize the chance of damaging your vehicle from potholes, follow these tips:
- Keep your tires inflated per your manufacturer’s recommended tire air pressure. Properly inflated tires give your wheel rims the best protection from potholes. But be aware that either under–or over–inflating tires limits your vehicle’s protection from pothole damage.
- Leave room between your car and the vehicle in front of you. That way, you’ll have breathing room to spot–and avoid–potholes.
- When it’s dark out or there’s inclement weather, it’s difficult to tell the size and depth of a pothole. Sometimes it’s hard to see them at all! If you’re driving during bad weather, please do so at a reduced speed. You’re more likely to see driving hazards–like potholes–before damage occurs.
Watch out for potholes as the weather continues to warm up. Give us a call to have your vehicle inspected if you hit a pothole.
This entry was posted in Spring, Suspension, Tires and tagged pothole damage, Spring, Suspension, tires on .
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