Best Way to Avoid Pothole Damage To Your Car
- Be careful – Lookout for Potholes
- Avoid swerving
- Ensure your tires have the correct air pressure
- Maintain a firm grip on your steering wheel
Avoid the Worst of Rough Roads
Potholes are annoying, uncomfortable, and for your vehicle, they can be destructive, leading to out of pocket expenses. Ever wonder how potholes come to be? Well, it’s quite an innocent occurrence. It all starts when snow or rain seeps into the soil below the road surface. When temperatures drop during winter, the ground will expand, forcing the pavement up. Daily driving and traffic will put stress on the pavement to a breaking point, creating a pothole.
While they may not seem like a big deal, potholes are one of the most common causes of car problems during this time of the year. They will reduce your vehicle’s performance in several ways from misaligned front end to a tire burst. Although there aren’t any preventive measures we can take to prevent the formation of potholes, there are ways car owners can reduce pothole damage on their vehicles.
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Protecting Your Car from Potholes
Potholes will not only put a strain on your tires and suspension, but they will also damage your exhaust system causing muffler damage. Even though the pothole season is in full swing, there are still a couple of tips car owners can use to avoid damage to their vehicles.
Be careful – Lookout for Potholes
If you are a careful driver, it is possible to avoid running over potholes this season. All you need to do is keep your eyes peeled. You can begin by maintaining the proper distance when following a car ahead. A rule of thumb is to maintain a distance of three seconds; however, this needs to increase when the weather conditions or the road are not suitable. Keeping distance helps the driver get a broader view of the road, making it possible to maneuver over potholes.
Potholes Are Rough, Protect your Car
If there is a strange noise in your exhaust, or it is smoking due to pothole impact, AAMCO Colorado offers a specialized exhaust system inspection, Vehicle Courtesy Check, and repair service that can help your vehicle stop smoking.
Avoid Swerving
The first line of action when approaching a pothole at full speed is to swerve. Well, according to our lead mechanics at AAMCO Colorado, you shouldn’t swerve. Sudden maneuvers or swerving could potentially cause an accident, posing a risk to occupants in your vehicle as well as other road users. It’s advisable to encounter a pothole or slow down to reduce the impact it has on your car.
Ensure Your Tires Have the Correct Air Pressure
It’s essential to make sure your tires have the right pressure. Over or under-inflated tires pose a high risk of blowouts or flats. While it is important to always check if your tires are correctly inflated, it is especially important during this season.
Maintain a Firm Grip on Your Steering Wheel
When running over a pothole, ensure you maintain a firm grip on your steering wheel with both hands. Also, make sure your steering wheel is straight, not turning or swerving as you hit the pothole, especially if you are driving at above-average speeds.
How Will I Know If I Have Pothole Damage?
If you suspect you have car damage due to potholes, it’s advisable that you get your car checked by a qualified mechanic such as one from AAMCO Colorado. In case you have run over a pothole, the following are signs to look out for:
- Visible damage. After an impact, inspect your vehicle for tears and bulges on the tires, as well as muffler damage on your exhaust system.
- Loss of control. Does your car sway while turning, the impact might have damaged your suspension, which can also affect other parts of your car.
- Exhaust noise. If you hear anything unusual after a pothole impact, do not ignore it. There could be damage to your engine or exhaust system. Have your local AAMCO Colorado mechanic inspect your vehicle immediately.
- Steering problems. Do you feel a pull? In case you do, your alignment might be off and needs inspection immediately. Your steering wheel and tires need to point in the same direction at all times.
AAMCO Colorado Exhaust System and Muffler Damage Car Repair
If there is a strange noise in your exhaust, or it is smoking due to pothole impact, AAMCO Colorado offers a specialized exhaust system inspection, Vehicle Courtesy Check, and repair service that can help your vehicle stop smoking. We also offer a wide range of car repair services, including suspension system service, transmission system maintenance, repair and service, and much more.
Does your car feel off after going over a pothole? You could have pothole damage! Call us or drive down to our experts at AAMCO Colorado Transmission and Total Care center.
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