Have you ever been driving along and out of nowhere you hit a jarring bump in the road? Then, you look in your rearview mirror and see a giant pothole that somehow you didnt see a few seconds earlier. Potholes are pretty nasty for drivers. Unfortunately, not all roads are nice and smooth, which means you have to be vigilant when youre operating your vehicle.
Potholes come in a lot of shapes and sizes, and the best thing to do is completely avoid them no matter what they look like. But, in some instances when roads are torn up really bad, you simply cant avoid them. In that case, you should slow down and drive very cautiously to avoid any major bumps.
Why are potholes such a big deal? While it might seem like a little bump here and there isnt going to ruin your vehicle, the truth is potholes can hurt, especially if you drive over them a lot and at higher speeds.
How Potholes Can Hurt Your Vehicle
Hitting a pothole with your vehicle can do a lot of damage. The good news is in most cases, your car will be okay after hitting a pothole. However, if the hole is big enough and you hit it the wrong way, it can cause several issues that need to be addressed.
The most common issues caused by hitting a pothole have to do with your tires and wheels. If you hit it just right, your tire could suffer sidewall damage, a bulge, or damage to the tread. Having properly inflated tires should help prevent excess damage, so be sure your tires have enough air.
Your wheels can also get messed up from potholes. In addition to unsightly scratches on your nice rims, your wheels can get out of alignment after hitting a pothole. When your wheels are misaligned, it may be difficult to keep your car straight. Poorly aligned wheels can also cause uneven treadwear and other tire damage.
Hitting a pothole can also cause damage to your suspension system. It is designed to help your vehicle for bumpy and uneven roads, but even your suspension system has its limits. If your vehicles suspension takes a big enough hit or too many repeated bumps, it can become misaligned. Your shocks and ball joints could also get damaged or broken. If you notice any issues with your suspension, then dont wait to get it checked out.
Hitting a pothole can also damage your exhaust system. Much of the exhaust system sits under the vehicle and it can be hit when you go through a pothole if the hole is big enough. This can affect your entire system and be a serious problem. If your car is smaller or sits lower a pothole could also cause body damage to your vehicle.
Auto Repair from Pothole Damage at Hoesly Automotive
Have you hit a pothole recently and noticed something different about your vehicle ever since? That means its time for an inspection to see what damage has been done. In most cases, the fix is something simple and not that expensive.
However, if you wait around and try to ignore the problem, it will only get worse, and it could lead to worse damage and more expensive repairs. So, if youve had a run-in with a pothole and your vehicle is acting up, then please come see us in our Vancouver auto repair shop.
Our ASE certified technicians will find the problem and take care of it, so you can get back to smooth sailing on the roads. And if you need any other service or repair, then please contact Hoesly Eco Automotive today. You can reach us by phone at 360-695-5871 or click here to set up an appointment online. Get your next exhaust service at Hoesly Eco Automotive.
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