Added on April 6, 2018  The News Wheel   , , ,
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Hidden Pothole Damage Could Be Putting Your Car, and You, at Risk

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Bridgeport pothole

Pothole season could be putting your car at risk
Photo: _chrisUK

Remember the cavernous pothole your vehicle slammed into yesterday (and the day before, and the day before)? Sometimes it seems like there’s more hole than road. In fact, depending on where you live, you might even be able to identify with this Twitter user:

On a more serious note, as if the teeth-rattling jolts and general annoyance weren’t enough, those impacts may also have inflicted some major damage on your car.

Now that spring is finally arriving in winter-plagued regions, auto repair technicians say it’s a good idea to have your vehicle checked out for hidden pothole-related harm. Even if you don’t realize it, your steering and braking control could be at risk — along with you, your passengers, and any other drivers or pedestrians near you.

Some of the more noticeable damage may include blown or leaky tires, cracked or bent rims, and serious alignment issues. Tie rods, bushings, ball joints, shock absorbers and struts are often broken by pothole impacts as well.

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GM Potholes

Now that spring is here, it’s a good idea to have your car checked for pothole damage

John Latner, manager of technical training for ACDelco, tells the Detroit Free Press that a variety of other potential problems are also lurking, such as shifted belts, cracked control arms, or corrosion. All of these can lead to nasty steering system failures and more.

“Vibrations, clunks, knocks, rattles, squeaks? Don’t ignore noises,” Latner tells the Free Press. “It could result in a crash because you chose to ignore warning signs. Get into a shop.”

Auto technicians say pothole damage can cost anywhere from $80 or $1,000 to fix — and when your safety is at stake, the expenditure is worth it.

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News Source: Detroit Free Press