18 Aug Potholes Can Cause Serious Damage. Here’s Why You Need to Avoid Them
A pothole is a natural formation in the roadway or pavement. As cracks develop in the surface of the asphalt or cement, they get further degraded over time by traffic, weather, and extreme temperature. Eventually, they become a hole that can be as small as an inch wide, or as large as a few feet wide. Hitting potholes with your car can cause serious damage to your car’s wheels, tires, suspension, and undercarriage. Here’s a look at how potholes affect your car, and what you can do about them.
Tires & Wheels
When you hit a pothole while driving, the jagged edges of the hole can compress the tire. This can lead to tread separation or a flat tire. Deeper potholes can scratch or bend the rims of your car or crack the wheels.
Suspension
Hitting even a minor pothole can cause a significant jump or jolt to your car. This accelerates the rate of wear and tear on your car’s suspension system and steering system. Your car’s suspension system does absorb impact, but over time this causes damage like misalignment, damaged shocks, and broken ball joints.
Undercarriage
Deeper potholes can cause damage to your car’s undercarriage, especially if your car is low to the ground. This damage can be costly to repair.
Exhaust Pipe
Because exhaust pipes are the lowest part of your car, they are often the most likely to be damaged when hitting a pothole. Your exhaust pipe can become scraped or punctured.
Avoiding Potholes
Always concentrate while driving and scan the road ahead to spot obstacles like potholes. Keep a safe driving distance between yourself and the car in front of you so you have time to brake safely if they hit a pothole. Don’t drive fast on rough roads. Pay attention when driving in water or mud, as they can hide potholes. If you can’t safely maneuver around a pothole while driving, try to slow your speed and keep your wheel straight. If there is no traffic around you, carefully drive around the pothole.
Reporting Potholes
In Pima County, you can report major potholes in your area that need to be repaired. You can visit the City of Tucson website, “See, Click, Fix” to report any issues that deface the city, like graffiti and potholes. Fill out a street maintenance improvement request via the website. You can also report major concerns or priority situations by emailing TDOTSR@tucsonaz.gov or call the TDOT at (520) 791-3154 or PCDOT at (520) 724-6410.
If you have hit a pothole and your car is damaged, making strange noises, or isn’t performing well, come see us at National Auto Collision Centers. We handle dents and dings, paint, and minor body repairs in Tucson, AZ. We use state-of-the-art technology to repair and refinish vehicles, and our certified technicians are highly skilled and trained. Don’t let auto damage affect the value or safety of your car. Visit us today to restore it quickly and professionally. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call us today or contact us online.