If you’ve been driving around Lafayette Indiana, you’ve probably noticed the pothole problem. Potholes can be more than just an inconvenience—they can cause serious damage to your car’s alignment, which can be costly to repair.
Fortunately, Beck’s Auto Center in Lafayette Indiana is here to help.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how potholes can affect your car’s alignment and what you can do to prevent further damage.
How Do Potholes Form?
Potholes form when water seeps into cracks in asphalt or concrete, freezes and expands, then contracts when temperatures rise. This cycle of freezing and thawing eventually causes the pavement to weaken and break, forming a pothole.
Other factors that can contribute to pothole formation are poor drainage, inadequate pavement thickness, and excessive vehicle loads.
Potholes can be small or large, shallow or deep, and are most commonly seen on roads, highways, and parking lots. They can be caused by a variety of issues such as heavy traffic, neglecting maintenance, aging infrastructure, and extreme weather conditions.
When roads and highways experience heavy traffic or an increase in vehicles, the pavement is subjected to a higher level of stress. As the pavement becomes weakened due to the wear and tear of traffic, the pavement surface begins to crack.
The more severe the weather conditions, the greater the chance of potholes forming.
The Dangers of Hitting a Pothole
Hitting a pothole can be extremely dangerous for your car and its passengers. The sudden impact can cause damage to the suspension, wheels, tires, brakes, and even the chassis of the vehicle. Driving over a pothole can also cause a tire to deform and lose its original shape, which could lead to a hazardous driving experience. In addition, hitting a pothole can also cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle due to a sudden jolt, which could lead to an accident.
The most common danger from hitting a pothole is damage to the tire or rim. The tire may suffer an impact tear, puncture, bulge, or sidewall failure, resulting in reduced handling and increased risk of tire blowouts. The rim could also suffer damage in the form of bent or cracked rims.
Both of these issues can reduce the life of the tire and increase the chance of an accident due to tire failure.
All in all, the dangers of hitting a pothole are clear— it can result in serious damage to your car and potentially lead to an accident.
To avoid any potential dangers and keep your car driving smoothly, it’s important to try and steer clear of potholes whenever possible.
If your car is damaged, remember that Beck’s Auto Center is the ideal place for affordable alignments in Lafayette Indiana and other car repairs and routine maintenance!
How to Avoid Potholes & Damage to Your Vehicle
The best way to avoid hitting a pothole is to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the road and try to anticipate any potential potholes. If you spot a pothole, slow down and navigate around it if you can.
It’s also important to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires have more contact with the road and can better absorb shock from potholes. This can help reduce the amount of damage caused by hitting a pothole.
It’s also important to maintain your car’s suspension system. A well-maintained suspension system will keep your tires firmly planted on the ground, so it’s less likely they will get stuck in a pothole.
If you drive over a pothole, having a properly maintained suspension system will reduce the impact on the rest of your vehicle.
Finally, drive cautiously and look out for potholes at night. Potholes can be harder to spot in the dark, so it’s important to slow down and watch for them. If you’re in an area that has particularly bad potholes, consider driving in the opposite lane if you can. This may allow you to avoid them altogether.
By following these tips, you can help protect your car from potential pothole damage and costly repairs.
How to Tell if Your Car Has Been Damaged by a Pothole
If you’ve hit a pothole in your car, you may be wondering whether you’ve done any damage.
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always immediately apparent. But, with the right know-how and a keen eye, you can spot certain signs of pothole-related damage to your car.
One of the most common indicators of pothole damage is an alignment issue. If your car pulls to one side or the other, or if your steering wheel is off-center when driving straight ahead, then this could be a sign that your car’s alignment has been affected by a pothole.
Additionally, check for any signs of damage to your car’s suspension system. If you notice any unusual noises coming from your shocks or struts when driving over bumps or uneven terrain, then there’s a good chance that hitting a pothole has caused some kind of wear or tear on the suspension.
Finally, if you’ve hit a particularly deep or wide pothole, then it’s worth keeping an eye on your tire pressure. If the pressure is suddenly lower than normal, then this could indicate that the sidewall of the tire has been punctured or weakened by a pothole.
In conclusion, it’s important to regularly check for any signs of damage if you’ve driven over a pothole.
Car Alignment at Beck’s Auto Center
Pay special attention to your car’s alignment, suspension system, and tire pressure. Doing so will help you identify any potential problems before they get worse and cost you more in the long run.
Remember, Beck’s Auto Center is the go-to repair and maintenance shop for all your vehicle needs. Set an appointment with us at 765-447-9459 or visit our website.