Unfortunately for the weary drivers of the UK, potholes and other pieces of damaged road are a fact of life. It can be difficult to drive anywhere without encountering at least one or two, swerving slightly in an effort to keep your journey comfortable and avoid racking up repair bills. There never seems to be enough money to repair all of them, and those of us who live in the countryside will most likely need to put up with any given pothole for years, even if it’s on a main route. If you do find yourself bumping along on a terrible bit of road, what kind of harm will your car suffer?
Hitting a Pothole at Low Speed
If you see a pothole approaching and know that you can’t avoid it, it’s best to slow down. Some claim that speeding up will mitigate the damage as you will ‘pass over’ the hole - but this isn’t true. It’s most likely that your tyre will just hit the edge of the pothole at a flatter angle, increasing the potential for damage.
Even if you do hit a pothole at lower speeds, your car can still develop problems. Harm is most likely to be done to your tyres and wheels. It’s always worth taking a quick look at your tyres after hitting a pothole, although it should be noted that some damage will not be visible. Check for lumps, just in case.
The other damage to watch out for is a change to your steering. When your car is driven over a pothole the shock to its suspension system can alter the position of the wheels and the steering system. If you notice that your steering wheel no longer ‘centres’ properly after driving over a pothole, or that it keeps pulling to one side, take your car to the garage. Uneven tracking prevents you from keeping total control of the car and can lead to one tyre being disproportionately worn and can cause a lot of follow on problems.
Hitting a Pothole at Higher Speeds
As mentioned above, to protect your beloved car, it’s always best to slow down when you see a pothole - never to speed up. However, there might be occasions when you are taken by surprise and are unable to apply the brakes. What kind of damage can this cause?
Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that the damage to tyres, wheels, and steering are all likely to be worse if you hit a pothole at high speed. The angles and force involved mean that the potential for serious damage is increased. In particular, watch out for cracked alloys and dents to the wheel itself.
You also need to be aware of damage to your car’s paintwork or windscreen. At higher speeds, you’re more likely to send debris flying, and these pieces can scratch paint or even crack windscreen glass. It’s always best to tackle a cracked windscreen early, especially if you know that you’ll be hitting more potholes - the shock to the suspension can make those tiny cracks too big to ignore.
Making a Claim
If your car is damaged as a result of an unrepaired pothole, you might be able to claim for compensation from the local authority. Contact your local authority for more information.
If your car’s suspension is making your commute unbearable, it could be time for a change.
About the author
Written by Shelley Clarke.
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