How Potholes Affect Your Car

Each year, motorists file almost half a million auto insurance claims due to damage from potholes. Moreover, most of these claims involve more than just a blown tire or bent rim. Unrepaired potholes can easily cause more extensive damage, including: •Auto body scratches, scrapes and dentsrn•Premature wear on shocks and strutsrn•Suspension damagern•Steering system misalignmentrn•Exhaust system damagern•Engine damage Interestingly, most of the problems occur as the tire exits the pothole. When you drive through a pothole, it puts a disproportionate amount of weight on the tire, which increases the severity of impact as it leaves the pothole. “The deeper the hole, the greater the impact, and the greater the potential for costly damage”. Tony HarringtonWarning Signs of Pothole Damage Damage caused by a pothole is not always immediately evident. So if you frequently drive on poorly maintained streets with a lot of potholes, it’s a good idea to carefully inspect your vehicle on a regular basis for less obvious signs of damage. Things to look out for include: •Bulges in the sidewalls of your tiresrn•Bent or damaged rimsrn•Puncture holes in the undercarriagern•Scratches or scrapes on the body that can lead to rustrn•Fluid leaks underneath the carrn•Loud or abnormal sounds from the exhaust systemrn•Unusual vibrations while driving Avoiding the Dreaded Pothole When a pothole causes damage to your car’s suspension system, it can make it unsafe to drive. You may have suspension damage if your car: •Rolls or sways on turnsrn•Has uneven brakingrn•Slides sideways on a winding roadrn•Bottoms out on bumps in the roadrn•Sits lower in the front or rearrn•Has ongoing leak problemsrn•Loses control during sudden stops To avoid potholes – and the damage that comes with them – always leave plenty of space between your car and the one in front of you. This will give you time to see the potholes and steer away from them. If you can’t avoid them on poorly maintained roads, reduce speed to minimize the impact. And don't apply the brakes when driving on potholes, as this puts all the stress on the front suspension rather than spreading it across the entire car. If you suffered car damage from the potholes in your area, bring your car to Franks Auto Body in Madison OHIO. Our friendly professionals will make your car look like new in no time!