Beware of Potholes! (Avoiding Pothole Damage)
October 11, 2020
You may live in a region where roads become pockmarked with craters known better as potholes. They're caused by moisture seeping through a compromised road surface that can freeze, expand and literally punch holes in the road. And when your vehicle hits one of those holes that's big enough, the impact can flatten a tire, bend a wheel or tear apart a suspension component.
To minimize pothole damage, leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can see the road surface and any upcoming potholes. That way you'll have time to slow down and steer around them. Also, if you see what looks like a puddle of water, it may be hiding a pothole underneath, so treat it as if was a pothole.
If you keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer's specifications, they're more likely to withstand hard impacts. And the slower you're going when you hit a pothole, the less likely you are to break something. But if you do find you've hit a pothole pretty hard, here are some signs to watch out that could signal damage.
- Your vehicle pulls to one side
- The steering wheel shakes
- You hear noises or clunks coming from your suspension
- Your steering wheel is not centered when you are going straight
These are all symptoms you should have checked at your vehicle repair facility as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the more damage you may be doing.
You also may find after hitting a pothole hard that the tire on that wheel is flat. Try not to drive any more on that tire since you could do a lot more damage to the tire and/or wheel. A call to roadside assistance may save you money in the long run by limiting the damage to what's already done.
Tire Warehouse Depot
250 N. Lapeer Rd.
Lake Orion, Michigan 48362
248-929-0699
Need Service?
More articles from Tire Warehouse Depot

Putting a Stop to Brake Problems (Brake Service)
March 9, 2025
It's safe to say that most drivers take their brakes for granted. You press on the brake pedal and the vehicle slows down or stops. It's easy to see why it is so important for your vehicle's brakes to be working correctly. Brakes are an important safety feature of any vehicle. When it comes to... More

The ?Man-Made? Engine Oil (Synthetic Oil Change)
March 2, 2025
If you own a newer vehicle, your vehicles manufacturer may require that it use synthetic oil instead of conventional oil. Synthetic oils are more stable, dont break down as easily, and provide better engine protection than conventional oil. All those things can prolong the life of your engine an... More

Steering You Right (Power Steering Fluid Service)
February 23, 2025
Its important for safe driving that two of the most important systems in your vehicle work right. One is the brakes. The other is the steering. Nearly all vehicles on the road have some sort of power steering that allows you to direct a very heavy machine with little effort. There are two ty... More