When roads weather, potholes sometimes form on the surface. When a car, bicycle, or motorcycle rides over one of these bumps, serious harm can be caused to your vehicle
The Damage Potholes Do
Potholes can cause damage to your cars suspension and steering components, as well as the tires and rims. Under- or over-inflated tires can be more easily damaged than ones with proper inflation and rims can dent or crack. In some severe cases, you might experience lower engine and undercarriage damage, such as the exhaust system.
Signs you have pothole damage
The vehicle rolls or sways on turns.
The vehicle’s front-end dives when braking.
The vehicle’s rear end squats when accelerating.
The vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding, rough road.
The vehicle “bottoms out” or thumps on bumps.
The vehicle sits lower in the front or rear.
The vehicle is leaking or has signs of physical damage, such as rusting or dents.
There’s a loss of directional control during sudden stops of the vehicle.
Avoiding Potholes
Leave enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will allow you to see a pothole before hitting it. Be aware of other traffic or pedestrians on the roads if you swerve to avoid a pothole. Lower your speed on known pothole-filled roads, more damage occurs to a vehicle hitting potholes at higher speeds.
Don’t apply the brakes when driving over a pothole. This tilts the vehicle forward and places the amount of stress on the front suspension, which is the first part of the vehicle to strike the pothole.
