Having to hear the big THUMP on your car is painful enough already, knowing what you can do to help safely maneuver around them is key.
What and How are Potholes formed?
Potholes are areas of road surface that have cracked, worn away, and eventually formed a hole. They start out as tiny cracks. If they’re not fixed right away, they can grow. Potholes may be anywhere from a few inches wide and deep to a few feet wide and several inches deep. https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-pothole
As the weight of cars and trucks pass over the weak spot in the road, pieces of the roadway material weaken, which will cause the material to be displaced or broken down from the weight, creating the pothole.
What if I can’t avoid a Pothole?
First, you should maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you so it’s easier to spot potholes ahead, says Accuweather. Use caution when approaching puddles of water as they could really be potholes in hiding. If you can’t avoid hitting a pothole, says Accuweather, slow down before you hit it and firmly grip the wheel to help avoid losing control of your vehicle.
What can a pothole do to my car?
- One or more deflated tires
- Severe cracks or bulges in the tires
- Dents in the wheel rims
- The vehicle shaking and pulling to the left or right, which could indicate an alignment problem
- Fluid leaks, which may mean your undercarriage is damaged
- Odd noises coming from the exhaust system https://www.allstate.com/tr/car-insurance/handling-potholes.aspx#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20causing%20damage,suspension%20problems%20to%20your%20vehicle.&text=The%20vehicle%20shaking%20and%20pulling,coming%20from%20the%20exhaust%20system
Being safe on the road should always be a priority, make sure to look carefully on the road and try your best to avoid potholes, if you can’t, make sure to contact Payne Service Center immediately located at Rio Grande City, Mission Tx, and Weslaco Tx
