SPONSORED: What to do about pothole damage

Driving over a pothole may seem like no big deal. Your tires are tough enough to handle it, right? However, driving over potholes can actually damage your car more than you might anticipate – and it’s not always visible damage. Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help! Our auto service techs are explaining the damage that can be sustained from driving over potholes and what to do about it.

What a pothole can do to your car

Your best bet is to avoid potholes as often as you can, but not at the risk of running into other drivers, pedestrians, or objects. However, if you can't avoid this road hazard, then it's always a good idea to give your car a quick inspection afterward to ensure no damage was done. Here are some of the points to examine:

Alignment: Potholes can do major damage to your car’s alignment, especially if you’re driving at high speeds. How do you know if the damage has been done? You’ll notice your car pulling to one side when you’re driving in a straight line, or a strange vibrating sensation in the steering wheel when you drive. Unfortunately, it’s not something you can repair yourself, so you’ll need to schedule auto service at Toyota of N Charlotte.

Tires: Potholes can seriously mess up your tires. Not only can they cause an immediate flat tire, they can also separate the seal between your tire and your wheel, causing major performance issues. On top of that, they can bend your rims. It's a lose-lose situation for your tires – even if immediate damage isn't done, this road hazard can misalign your tire and cause uneven wear, which means you'll have to pay to replace it sooner. Next time you're here for Charlotte auto service, let our techs inspect the tire from top to bottom.

Suspension: Suspension is what keeps you and your passengers comfortable when you’re out on the road. If you hit a pothole, it can affect your car’s suspension in a majorly negative way. It can throw things out of wack so you feel the car vibrating (or every single bump in the road) and if it’s bad enough, it can cause your tires to rub against the car while in motion (which is dangerous). If you suspect your suspension has been damaged, it’s time to schedule Charlotte auto service.

Pothole damage is sometimes unavoidable. Construction happens, road damage occurs (especially after winter) and sometimes roads just aren’t maintained well. Your best bet to avoid damage is to practice defensive driving as often as possible so you can see road hazards before you actually encounter them! Do away with distractions, keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, follow the speed limit, and be ultra-aware of your surroundings at all times.

Let Toyota of N Charlotte fix your car’s damage

Have questions or think you need auto service to repair pothole damage? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today. We’re open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025.

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