What to check if you hit a pothole?
After hitting a pothole, check for any of the following signs of pothole damage.
- A bulge on the tire sidewall.
- Your steering wheel is no longer centered or the vehicle wants to pull to one side or the other.
- You feel abnormal vibrations in the steering, seat or floor.
- You may hear a new noise when underway.
Why are potholes so bad for your car?
You’re bound to hit one eventually, which can seriously damage your car. Potholes are road imperfections that occur when soil compacted beneath pavement becomes weakened or displaced. Roads are particularly likely to form potholes in winter and spring months, when ice and lots of running water disrupt the base layers under the pavement.
What should I do if I hit a pothole?
Immediately after hitting the pothole: Treat a pothole like an accident, pull off to safety and if possible take a picture of the location and the pothole itself. Visually inspect your car, tires, and rims.
How much does it cost to fix a pothole in a car?
Potholes are notorious for wreaking havoc on cars: American drivers pay approximately $3 billion, or an average cost of $300 each, annually to fix car damage caused by potholes. Worse, many motorists encounter pothole problems every winter and spring, making pothole-related repairs an almost annual necessity.
Are there a lot of potholes in California?
However, potholes aren’t only a problem in states that get cold, snowy winters. Even in sunny climates like California and Arizona, over 50% of roads are rated as being in poor condition and are often riddled with potholes.
What happens to your car when you hit a pothole?
Pothole damage to your vehicle can easily be extended. Damage to the vehicle’s tires, hubcaps, struts, and alignment can quickly add up leaving some drivers with repairs up to a thousand dollars or more. Filing a pothole damage claim is easy, but whether or not you should is something you should consider.
Why are there so many potholes on the road?
Roads are particularly likely to form potholes in winter and spring months, when ice and lots of running water disrupt the base layers under the pavement. As cars drive over these weak spots, the pavement deforms, cracks, and chips away, leaving a hole in the road surface.
Is it easy to spot a pothole at night?
If you’re driving during the day and in conditions of high visibility, spotting and avoiding a pothole is easy — if you’re paying attention and the road is relatively empty. But if it’s a dark and stormy night, or if you’re messing with the radio dial, you might hear that sickening “Clunk!
Is it OK to roll through a pothole?
The good news is that most potholes aren’t big or deep enough to pose a threat to your car. With correctly inflated tires and aligned suspension, chances are it will roll right through them. However, as seasons change and potholes grow, you need to stay alert and avoid them as best you can.