4 Problems That Can Come From Driving Through Potholes

Potholes might seem like an unpleasant part of driving, but they can be more than jarring for you and your passengers. Driving through potholes can actually pose multiple issues for your vehicle and can cause all sorts of damage. It's best to avoid them if at all possible if you want to avoid dealing with these repair issues with your vehicle.

1. Wheel Misalignment

Hitting a pothole can cause your vehicle to become misaligned. This can make your car difficult to steer and handle and can cause your vehicle to "drift" into other lanes or off the road if you aren't careful. Plus, if you don't have your car realigned as soon as possible after it becomes misaligned, you have to worry about wearing your tires unevenly and causing permanent damage, which can result in the need for new tires. Luckily, you can have your car aligned relatively affordably at just about any mechanic shop.

2. Tire and Wheel Damage

You don't just have to worry about your car becoming misaligned after driving through a pothole; you also have to worry about other damage to your wheels and tires. For example, the edge of the asphalt could be sharp enough to puncture your tire. You also have to worry about your rims being scratched or dented.

3. Suspension Issues

Your vehicle's suspension system is critical for protecting the bottom of your car from the road, providing safe and easy handling, absorbing shock and making your car comfortable to drive and ride in. If the bottom of your car takes a hard hit while you go through the pothole, you have to worry about these components being damaged or broken.

4. Window or Windshield Problems

If you have a tiny nick or other imperfection in your windshield or one of your windows, the glass can be more prone to break. Going through a pothole can be enough to cause an already-damaged piece of glass to crack. Plus, if you have just had a new windshield installed, it could be damaged from going through the pothole if it has not had time to set in properly.

As you can see, driving through a pothole can be more than just annoying and uncomfortable -- it can actually damage your car. These are just four of the many problems that can come from going through a pothole, so it's a good idea to have your car checked out by a professional if you have recently been through one. Also, in the future, you should be careful to avoid them whenever possible and should approach them slowly and at an angle if you have no choice to go around them. To have your car checked out, contact a company like D Wells Automotive Service.


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