Common Forms of Damage Caused by Potholes: Insights from a Westchester Auto Body Repair Shop
Most of us have had the unfortunate experience of hitting a pothole in the road while driving at a high speed. In many cases, there’s just no way to avoid them.
Potholes can do quite a bit of damage to an auto body. Are you wondering what type of damage they can cause, specifically? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This Westchester auto body repair shop is going to discuss everything you’ll need to know below.
The Consequences of Hitting a Pothole
There are several things that could happen to your vehicle when you hit a pothole. Some of the most common forms of damage include the following:
Suspension Problems
A common problem associated with hitting potholes is suspension issues. These most commonly arise in situations when the pothole is particularly large, and when the vehicle is moving at a high speed. The vehicle drops down quickly as it drives over the pothole, putting substantial stress on the suspension and putting it in a position to be damaged.
If you’ve hit a big pothole recently, you might want to have your suspension inspected by a professional. This is a problem that can hide itself initially, but then grow in severity over time.
Tire Damage
When a vehicle hits a pothole at a high speed, its wheel drops down suddenly. As you might expect, this puts a great deal of stress on the vehicle’s tires.
In some cases, this can cause the tire to puncture, resulting in a loss of air. In other cases, the rim of the tire can bend, causing alignment issues. These are two issues that should be looked at by a Westchester auto body repair specialist.
Vehicle Alignment Issues
Another common consequence of hitting a pothole is vehicle alignment issues. The frame of the vehicle often takes a lot of the impact, causing it to become bent and misshaped. Even a small misalignment can lead to issue with your vehicle’s operation, so it’s best to avoid potholes at all costs.
It’s important to note here that vehicle alignment issues sometimes go unnoticed by the driver. As such, if you drive over a particularly large pothole, it’s best to stop by your local Westchester auto body repair shop for an inspection.
Tips for Limiting Pothole Damage
If you live in the Westchester area, you’re almost sure to hit a pothole at some point. By utilizing the tips below, you can limit the damage they do to your vehicle.
Drive With Ample Clearance
To avoid driving over potholes, you’ll need to be able to spot potholes in the first place. This can be difficult to do when you’re riding the bumper of the driver in front of you. If you’re tailgating too closely, you won’t have a clear view of the road.
The solution? You should drive cautiously with ample clearance. This way, you’ll be able to spot any obstacles that waits for you in the road.
Slow Down Prior to Hitting the Pothole (If Possible)
In general, the faster you’re going when you hit a pothole, the more damage it will do to your vehicle. As such, when you see a pothole coming, you should attempt to slow down.
This doesn’t mean that you should come to a slow roll — especially if you’re on a busy road or a highway. However, slowing your vehicle down by 10 to 15 miles per hour could make all the difference in the world, and it might even help you avoid pothole damage.
Looking for the Premier Westchester Auto Body Repair Shop?
Has your vehicle recently been damaged by a pothole? Are you ready to take it to the top-rated Westchester auto body repair shop? If so, we here at Lombard Body & Fender are the people to see.
Our auto body mechanics are well-versed when it comes to repairing pothole damages. Regardless of the nature of your vehicle’s damage, we can get it fixed. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.
