Pothole Damage to Tyres and Vehicles
Here’s a no brainy: hitting a pothole can damage your vehicle. Big time. The thing is, pothole damage is an everyday road hazard and a tricky one at that, since potholes’ presence may not be obvious. That is, until the deed is done.
If your vehicle hits a deep, dreaded divot in the road, steering system misalignment to a full-on tyre puncture or bent rims may follow. Cue the “gulp.” But whether the damage is obvious or not, the problem needs reversing. And sooner, not later.
When your vehicle experiences the sudden jolt from a pothole run-in, timely inspection is required. Otherwise, you could be up the creek with costlier damage and stress to other, budget-breaking vehicle parts and systems. Our experienced auto care experts will assess any potential problems during a complete vehicle inspection and set your ride right.
Pothole damage. A potential nightmare for other parts.
- Tyre puncture, damage or wear
- Wheel rim damage
- Premature wear on shocks and struts
- Suspension damage, including broken components
- Steering system misalignment
- Exhaust system damage
- Engine damage
In the event pothole damage has occurred to your vehicle, don’t be surprised if our technicians may recommend the following services to repair the damage:
- Alignment check and alignment service
- Tyre repair
- Tyre rotation and balance
- Vehicle inspection
Pothole damage. The dreaded reality.
Say you hit a pothole straight on. Or maybe you nicked one, just barely. Either way, your vehicle likely sustained some damage. But just how much depends on the pothole’s depth and your speed on impact. Sound like a bummer? It is. Especially since only some vehicle damage – like a flat tyre – is apparent. Other kinds, such as minor misalignment or damaged steering or suspension, aren’t always as clear. Yet, these problems can have long-term, lousy effects. Think premature, uneven tyre wear. Even costly, too-soon tyre replacement.
There are some signs. When pothole damage occurs.
- Tyres: If your wheels ram into a pothole, your tyre’s sidewall can bulge. Sound like bad news? It is, and it needs a fast fix.
- Rims: Unless your car is equipped with older steel rims, they’re likely aluminum-based. That means they’re susceptible to dents. And if the pothole damage comes from a deep depression, hit at high speed? Bent rims may also be on the agenda. That’s where professional technicians at Firestone Complete Auto Care come in. Correcting the havoc? That’s what we do.
- Undercarriage: Hitting a pothole can dent or puncture the undercarriage of your ride. In other words, fluid leaks and wear leading to rust formation are just the beginning. During a complete vehicle inspection, our technicians will look for woes of all kinds. That includes damage resulting from potholes.
- Exhaust System: Are weird noises coming from your exhaust system? Uh-oh. Hitting a pothole may have damaged your ride. Getting a complete vehicle inspection to assess the situation? It’s imperative.
Avoiding pothole damage. Your vehicle’s best bet.
Want to avoid pothole problems entirely? Who doesn’t? The easy answer is to bypass them, period. Unfortunately, unexpected encounters with potholes are commonplace. Worse yet, some potholes aren’t very visible, and others appear out of nowhere. Here are some tips to help avoid pothole damage. After all, it’s wise.
- A good starting point? To maintain your manufacturer’s recommended tyre air pressure since properly inflated tyres provide the best buffer between broken, dipping pavement and your ride’s wheel rims. And over or under-inflating your tyres? Neither is good: too-firm tyres are as bad as too-soft ones when it comes to preventing pothole damage.
- Prevention is the best medicine. That’s why leaving enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you is key. That way, you’re more likely to spot potholes before they wreak havoc on your ride. Whenever it’s possible to safely avoid broken pavement, do.
- During damp, inclement weather, it’s tough to judge the depth and size of a pothole – or see it at all. When driving during crummy weather, proceed at a reduced speed. That extra caution may help you identify driving hazards, such as potholes, before they can cause damage your vehicle.
