It seems like potholes are inescapable and can sneak up on you at any moment. When you hit one, it might shock you and feel like your car is dipping down. During this time of year, hidden potholes are scattered along the road and hide under rain puddles. Pothole damage may not be discoverable right away but can wreak havoc on your vehicle if it's not repaired. Here are some of the consequences of pothole damage and what repairs you may need:
The steering wheel feels "off"
If your steering wheel is vibrating after you've hit a pothole, you may have thrown your alignment off.
Noises erupting from your exhaust
Damages to the exhaust system are sometimes very hidden, but you can hear them. If your exhaust produces a loud noise you've never heard before, you should bring it to a professional for an inspection.
Visible damage to your rims or tires
A punctured tire or dent in your rim can be caused by a pothole you ran over. Sometimes it may not be as noticeable as a tire. If you notice subtle signs, like a bulge or bubble on your tires' exterior, the pothole was likely the culprit. Tire damages can make you more susceptible to a blowout, so please perform any necessary repairs soon.
Fluid is leaking from under your vehicle
If the pothole was deep enough, your car could have crashed into the road surface and caused damage to your vehicle's undercarriage. In some cases, a scrape can result in major fluid leaks.
A jerky drive
If your car feels shaky or jittery, it could imply you've suffered pothole damage. It would be best if you did not ignore any bouncing or swerving mishaps. Potholes can surely destroy your suspension parts and decrease the safety of your drive.
If you've recently hit a pothole pretty hard, please stop by Eddie's Northside Sinclair to have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible. Our expert team can thoroughly check your tires, suspension, and more.