Have you noticed potholes while driving around Frederick or anywhere else in Maryland? While hitting a pothole can be a nasty jolt, did you know that it can also seriously damage your car? Read on to find out how to avoid pothole damage and how your local Kia dealer can help with auto repairs in Frederick, MD.
1. Tires and Potholes Don’t Mix
One of the most damage-prone areas of your car is the tires. These take the brunt of the impact when your car hits the pothole, but the impact can cause a whole range of issues. When the hard edge of the pothole presses against your car, the bolts that hold the tire together can break, resulting in issues such as tread separation and sidewall bulges. Sometimes, the pothole’s edge can slice through the edge of the tire altogether, resulting in a puncture.
A puncture when travelling at high speed can be very dangerous, so always be sure to slow down when driving through a pothole-prone area. If you drive a low, sporty car, you should be especially careful, as these types of vehicles often have thinner tire walls that can puncture more easily. Making sure your tires are properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures can help you avoid the worst of the damage.
2. Potholes Can Damage Your Wheels
Not only are potholes seriously bad for your tires, but in some cases, your wheels can be damaged as well, especially in a particularly hard impact. Nicks and scrapes on the wheel rims are common, but sometimes the entire wheel can bend, causing it to lose its airtight seal with the tire. Minor damage, such as chips to the wheel rim, can often be repaired, but if the wheel itself is bent, or has been chipped, then it’ll need to be replaced.
3. Bodywork and Exhaust Scrapes Are Common
Another factor that plagues low-riding cars is damage to the bodywork or exhaust system. As your wheel dips into the pothole, the side skirts or any low bumpers can slam into the ground, causing them to be damaged or even dislodged. While this is usually just a cosmetic problem, a far more serious issue occurs if the exhaust comes into contact with the ground.
A deep pothole could cause you to scrape your car’s undercarriage on the asphalt, denting the exhaust pipe or even making a hole. If this happens, you might hear an unusual noise or experience a loss of engine power.
4. Misaligned Suspension Means a Trip to Your Kia Dealer!
The sudden jolt your car’s suspension experiences upon hitting a pothole can cause it to come out of alignment. You’ll notice this pretty quickly; the steering will pull in one direction and the car’s handling will feel different. Make sure you get it fixed right away!
Experience Pothole Damage? Visit Our Frederick, MD Auto Service Center
If you’ve hit a pothole, and you think your car might be damaged, bring it into DARCARS Kia of Frederick today, and our exceptional service team will be happy to help.
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