Remember that the specific dollar amount of your deductible will depend on the premium that you pay every month. Things like these are a massive red flag, and it is important to inspect your car right away to steer clear from long term damage. Its pothole season againthat time of year when winter and spring play tug-of-war, resulting in fluctuating temperatures that can wreak havoc on roads. Learn how to make ugly sweater seat covers, Christmas tree air freshener, holiday floor mats, and festive headrest covers! Well here are the 2 most likely culprits. This is one problem thats a little difficult to tune out! Either way, your vehicle likely sustained some damage. Here are some things to look out for: If you notice a tear in one of your tires or a bend in a wheel, you can likely replace it with a spare and drive to a mechanic on your own. Thats where professional technicians at Firestone Complete Auto Care come in. Read on to learn how to tell. Ice can destroy a road in the same way it breaks your windshield. Please confirm the make, year, model and trim of the vehicle you want to purchase for: The vehicle you have selected is not compatible with aftermarket TPMS Sensors. However, even if you dont notice the TPMS activate, you should still inspect your tires for damage. These divots in the road can cause damage to your car that is not always visually apparent. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Billerica condo residents tormented by stray golf balls demand action. If the pothole was on an interstate, youll need to contact the states department of transportation to fix the issue. According to a study released in March 2022 by AAA, it found that $26.5 billion was spent by US drivers on car repairs due to pothole damage in 2021. They could be a sign of internal damage, which means youre probably going to need to replace the tire. 2022 DRiV Incorporated. There aren't many cases of successful claims made against councils," he said. Here Are The 2 Main Culprits. Ask them to put your car on the machine, and then take a look at the report, says Cox. During damp, inclement weather, its tough to judge the depth and size of a potholeor see it at all. 1. A Great BLESSING tips Amazing Advice Amen!! That is, until the deed is done. Common problems include flat tires and other tire damage like punctures and bent wheel rims. Your tires are on the front line of the pothole battle they are the first to absorb the impact of a pothole so keeping them inflated at the manufacturers recommended PSI and making sure they have sufficient tread may help you avoid costly car repairs. Check your DNS Settings. MOOG offers a wide variety of auto parts for all your vehicle needs.Check them out today! Potholes often have sharp edges that can puncture even the thickest of tires. You can save time in the store by pre-booking your maintenance service appointment online today. The one tool every driver needs. When your vehicle experiences the sudden jolt from a pothole run-in, timely inspection is required. If you do run one over, stay calm and collected and check for damage, as it will usually only be relatively minor. Goodyear Auto Service Store Worcester manager Peter Cestodio sees a lot of pothole damage this time of year, and has some suggestions about what to do when a pothole catches you off guard. The most common cause is that your DNS settings are incorrect. Its essential to have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic if you experience this issue to ensure that the problem is correctly diagnosed and fixed, and to prevent further damage or safety hazards while driving. The wheel bearings support the weight of the car and allow the wheels to spin freely. You should consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have questions relating to any of the topics covered herein. You might be able to see this damage on the outside of the wheel, but Cestodio cautioned that theres still the inside edge, which you cant see. That way, youre more likely to spot potholes before they wreak havoc on your ride. A damaged axle can cause a range of problems, including steering issues that make the car pull to one side. {{lede.date | date:'dd-MMM-yyyy'}}{{lede.tags.length > 0 && lede.date ? ' Avoid driving far on a flat, if possible. The CV joints are part of the axle that allows the wheels to move up and down while still transmitting power from the engine to the wheels. As most of you may know, driving into potholes can damage your vehicle significantly. Thats what we do. Hitting a pothole can cause damage to your tire's inner liner which allows air to escape. { A complete vehicle inspection can help locate and diagnose the damage. Dave & Rays Automotive. Does your tire sidewall have an abnormal bulge or bubble in it? Here is a list of the most commonly damaged areas: Wheels / Rims Tires Suspension Components Steering Components Wheel Alignment When making a claim on pothole damage, the damage will likely be relatively minor usually a popped tire or a bent wheel. That extra caution may help you identify driving hazards, such as potholes, before they can cause damage your vehicle. If your car comes with a tire pressure monitoring system, it may illuminate to tell you if a tire is losing air. We'll take it from there. And sooner, not later. Another reason that unusual vibrations can be a sign of axle damage is because of damage to the CV joints. How to Tell If a Pothole Damaged Your Car Potholes can cause significant damage to your steering, suspension, alignment, tires, and more. While avoiding every pothole you come across is next to impossible, its important to be wary of them while driving and slow down if you cannot avoid them. #244190 Finally, wheel bearings can also cause vibrations when they are damaged. The department has already filled 5,312 potholes in Suffolk County this year alone, and there are still plenty of potholes to be repaired. Want to avoid pothole problems entirely? Some damages, such as to your suspension or wheel alignment, might take a while to notice. Potholes are formed when water on the roadway seeps under the pavement through cracks in the road. Fortunately, our decades of experience in auto service and repair also mean that our skilled network of professionals is ready to accommodate an impressive scope of automotive issues. Even hitting a pothole at low speeds could cause damage to your wheels, broken suspension springs, or damaged shock absorbers. If a technician finds tire or wheel damage, then its best to have those parts replaced. Mentioned below are a few telltale signs that can help you spot pothole damage in your vehicle. Pothole detection device: There are many types of pothole detection devices available in the market. Hitting a pothole or other large obstacle often tends to result in catastrophic . A vehicle inspection can help identify and correct these negative effects pronto. In other words, fluid leaks and wear leading to rust formation are just the beginning. Sadly, its often unavoidable too. First Thing's First: Inspect the Vehicle. Youre at risk for a tire blowout if you ignore the problem and continue to drive on the compromised tire. Problems like these are especially common when the potholes you drive into are quite large. Otherwise, you could be up the creek with costlier damage and stress to other, budget-breaking vehicle parts and systems. Cut car clutter with these tips and tricks from blogger Mike Marshall, a guy that knows top-tier car organization tactics! I had to get 4 new tires and re-allignment done. Please contact your hosting provider to confirm your origin IP and then make sure the correct IP is listed for your A record in your Cloudflare DNS Settings page. Within city limits, the respective local government is responsible for fixing and maintaining potholes. setTimeout(() => { Peoria, One of the most common reasons for a car pulling to one side due to a broken axle is a misaligned or bent axle. The axle is a crucial component of the cars suspension system that supports the weight of the vehicle, transmits power from the engine to the wheels, and allows the wheels to move in different directions. We have seen it all come through our doors and would love to put our expertise to work for you. Potholes are one of the most common car accidents that can happen. The Insurance Information Institute states that if your auto insurance has collision coverage, the damage from hitting a pothole will be covered. Fortunately, spotting this problem is quite easy and takes a matter of minutes. If the water freezes, it will expand, thus causing the pavement to expand, bend and crack. Dont wait until small issues turn into expensive repairs. If you have no other choice, slow down as quickly as possible, then just as you are about to enter the pothole, take your foot off the brake, said Paul. In most cases, collision insurance will cover a bent rim or flat tire after hitting a pothole. Sorry, we could not find any available When driving during crummy weather, proceed at a reduced speed. Bundle your auto & property. Help prepare them with this driving safety and vehicle maintenance guide, from Firestone Complete Auto Care. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. So what should you do if you hit a pothole? Hitting the brakes causes your vehicles suspension to compress to account for the forward momentum of your car. Hitting a pothole doesnt feel good, but its not the end of the world. In the interest of safety, replace it., Even if you head to a technician for an inspection after a nasty brush with a pothole, you still might not be in the clear. If you notice weird noises, the pothole may have actually damaged your vehicles exhaust system. Look for any visible damage to your wheels and tyres. If you notice bubbles or bulges in the sidewalls of your tire, chances are potholes are the cause. When the wheels are not aligned properly, it causes uneven wear on the tires, leading to imbalanced vibrations. Warranty, mp.homepageFooterClicks({ destination: '/contact' })"> The thing is, pothole damage is an every day road hazard and a tricky one at that, since potholes presence may not be obvious. the knowledge and passion to help. Your steering will pull. 3. The pothole may have caused misalignment or damaged the steering component. What Do Potholes Damage? The one tool every driver needs. A bent rim is more cosmetic than harmful. bring it in for an inspection. First, if your car has unusual vibrations while you are accelerating or braking then its more than likely your axel. Note the name of the road and the location of the pothole using landmarks if you can. Probably not much, according to solicitor and Shoalhaven councillor Paul Ell. A bent wheel might be able to be bent back into the correct shape, but its not a good idea. One reason that unusual vibrations could mean your axle is broken is because a bent or misaligned axle can cause the wheels to wobble, which can result in vibrations. If you notice potholes along the roads you frequently travel, you may not know that you can actually do something about those pock-marked roads! Or lets chat via email. But getting compensation from the government is a little more complicated than filling out a form and waiting for the check to arrive. Think premature, uneven tire wear. Unfortunately, unexpected encounters with potholes are commonplace. 3 vaccines for fall: What you need to know. While the government is responsible for maintaining roads, but you'll need to show that the government failed to . Hitting the pothole at a slower speed may help you avoid damage to your vehicle. If you cant avoid hitting the pothole, youll need to check your vehicle sometime after safely pulling off the road or parking. Here are some tips to help avoid pothole damage. We'll take it from there. Here are your options. Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association. Getting multiple estimates isn't a bad idea. Pay attention if your car pulls to one side when youre attempting to drive straight, or if the steering wheel is off-center when youre moving straight. Summer sunshine is great, until its glare makes it hard to see! Abnormal vibration or noise while driving. If you keep squeezing, at some point it will create its own puncture., If the impact has caused your tire to lose air, the vehicles Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light will immediately go on. Tires are an investment & you want them to last. Physical signs of pothole damage include dents and rust, which may, on closer inspection, reveal a problem with a shock, strut, bushings, bearings, joints, linkages and other suspension parts. Potholes can lurk beneath the water, just waiting for you to hit them. If you cant avoid a pothole, reduce your speed as you approach the pothole and hit it straight on. Potholes are created when groundwater seeps into the ground underneath the pavement. Most of the time the damage isnt to the tread, its to the sidewall, says Cox. If the wheel is bent or misshapen after hitting a pothole, the entire wheel will likely need to be replaced. If you hit a particularly large pothole, be on the lookout for damage to your vehicle. They can cause your tire to run flat, which can be a serious problem if you happen to be in the middle of the road. How Hitting Potholes Affects Handling & Alignment As winter comes to an end and frozen roads thaw, potholes start popping up on roadways across the nation. Its an unmistakable soundthat loud ka-thunk noise while youre driving and you hit a massive pothole. Around this time of year, pitted asphalt and hidden holes in the road make it difficult to avoid pothole damage. This site uses cookies to enhance your user experience. You dont want to be going too fast, however, as youre all the more likely to damage your car. If you notice that your exhaust pipes are making strange sounds or rattling when you drive, chances are they have been damaged by a sneaky pothole. The cycle of freezes and thaws leaves divots of varying depths on roads across Massachusetts. That could lead to a costly tire repair, but more importantly, it could compromise your safety while driving. If your vehicle runs into a pothole, heres what you need to do to make sure youre still safe to drive. Cassels Garage has earned an impressive 4.9 rating on Carfax, making it a recipient of the prestigious 2022 CARFAX Top-Rated Service Center Award. How to tell if a pothole damaged your car; What to do if potholes damage your car; Best curse words to use when you hit a pothole (just kidding) If you've driven in an area with snowy weather, chances are you're familiar with those annoying potholes in the road that seem to show up at the worst times possible. Even if you didn't notice hitting a pothole, your car might be screaming for attention. You may notice that your steering pulls to one side, which is an indication of alignment problems.