There are potholes on most roads and nowadays, they are very hard to avoid! Depending on the size of the pothole and at what speed your car hit it, a pothole does have the ability to damage your car and cause your car not to work in crucial ways. Knowing the signs of pothole damage will help you keep your vehicle safe when on the road.
What Is A Pothole?
Potholes are unplanned dips or holes that are in the road that has been created by erosion. Potholes can be very damaging to vehicles, especially if they are deep. A pothole is created when water enters a crack within the pavement, which then softens the tarmac. It is common for potholes to increase over the winter months due to ice, snow, and heavy weather conditions. It is always best to check your vehicle if it has hit a pothole suddenly and the car has felt the knock quite badly.
Signs Of Pothole Damage On Your Vehicle
- Flat Tires
- Structure Damage
- Leaks
- Scrapes
- The Vehicle Pulls To One Side
- Different Exhaust Noises
- Bulging
- The Rims Are Bent
- The Car Can Not Stay Steady
- The Wheel Begins To Shake
Flat Tires
The first sign that you have hit a pothole and you have caused damage to the vehicle will be the tires. The tires will show the damage as that is what hit the pothole and took most of the brute force. A tire may instantly go flat or it may take a while for the damage to truly show. It is best to park up after hitting a pothole and check your tires immediately. If you do need to purchase a replacement tire, contact one of our auto body repair shop in South Jersey.
Structure Damage
One of the most common parts of the car to be damaged after hitting a pothole is the steering and suspension systems. The suspension arm and tie rods could easily break after hitting a large pothole. The way to check if these parts are broken is to attempt a corner jounce test. Pay attention to how your car feels and if it feels slightly different then contact a professional to make sure your car is safe for the road.
Leaks
If you heard your vehicle being scrapped or heard a general scraping sound when you hit the pothole, this may mean that there is a leak to follow. If your car has been scraped underneath, this could allow water or salt to enter different areas causing large issues with the vehicle.
The Vehicle Pulls To One Side
Aim to try to drive the vehicle in one straight line after you have hit a pothole. If the vehicle pulls to one side while you are driving this could be a sign of a problem, that could even be linked to the break or steering. The pothole may have even affected the wheel alignment which could cause issues with your car and may even mean that your car is not safe to drive. If you believe that the wheel alignment has altered then call our auto body repair shop in South Jersey.
Different Exhaust Noises
The way your car feels when you are driving it is the biggest tell sign that there may be something wrong with your vehicle. Make sure that you pay attention to the way your car feels but also the noises it makes. If you hear exhaust noises that sound strange or different, this could mean that hitting a pothole has caused a problem with the exhaust system.
Bulging
Once you have hit a pothole, aim to pull the car over and park so that you can exit the vehicle safely and inspect the tires. If the tires are starting to bulge at the sidewalls this is a sign of damage. Any kind of bulging in the sidewalls should be seen and repaired before you drive further. If your tire is bulging, it is a sign that the air in the tire is escaping.
The Rims Are Bent
One of the easiest ways to tell if a pothole has caused damage to your car is if the rims are bent. Most rims on modern-day cars are made with a metal called aluminum. Aluminum is a type of metal that can bend if it is forced. Bent rims are more of a cosmetic issue than a safety issue but it may suggest that you might have further damage to the vehicle caused by the pothole.
The Car Can Not Stay Steady
If the car starts to bounce while you are driving, this could be a sign that it is damaged and you will need to pull the vehicle over. If the vehicle is making swaying or bouncing movements it may be a sign there is a problem with the suspension.
The Wheel Begins To Shake
If the steering wheel is shaking or vibrating, this is a sign that the pothole you hit may have caused damage. If you do find that your steering wheel is affected after hitting a pothole, it could mean that a component within the steering has now stopped working. If you would like a consultation, call our auto body repair shop in South Jersey.
Contact Elmer’s Auto Body To Repair Pothole Damage
If you have noticed a change in your car after hitting a pothole call in at Elmer’s Auto Body today. Our teams in South Jersey are ready to repair your vehicle and get it back to its original form. Schedule your consultation by calling (856) 218-0202 or filling out the contact form.