Avoid Potholes in Falls Church, VA

It’s common to see potholes on the road. These divots on the road can range in size and depth, but they can always present problems for your vehicle. The consequences of driving over a pothole can be more significant than you might think. The tires, wheels, exhaust system, and suspension can suffer. Damage to these areas of your vehicle can result in expensive repairs. If you put off these repairs, your car could be unsafe to drive or not be drivable at all.

Fortunately, if you’re from the Falls Church, VA, area, you can turn to Bill Page Honda for help with vehicle repairs due to potholes. Our team can also give you tips on how to avoid them.

It’s valuable to understand the reasons to avoid potholes on the road. The following are the most important reasons why you should always avoid driving over potholes:

1. Damage to the Wheels and Tires

Perhaps the most common result of driving over a pothole is damage to the tires. When you hit a pothole, your car’s tires could have a blowout. This happens due to sidewall damage, which causes air to leak suddenly. A blowout can put your safety and that of other drivers on the road at risk.

The wheels are also susceptible to damage from potholes. The sudden impact can affect your vehicle’s wheel alignment forcing the wheels into angles that don’t match the manufacturer's recommendations. This will cause poor road handling and shorten the life of the tires.

In addition, driving over potholes can scratch the rims or even crack or bend the wheels. The damage may require that you replace the wheels.

2. Problems With the Suspension and Steering

If you run over a pothole, especially at a high speed, the force can damage the suspension components or ruin the shocks or ball joints. The steering can also suffer, creating poor road handling.

The suspension may suffer premature wear and tear. Repeated contact with potholes can ruin the vehicle’s ability to absorb impact on the road.

There are certain signs of suspension damage. For example, after driving over a pothole, you may notice the vehicle is pulling to one side. You may also hear odd sounds or feel vibrations.

3. Undercarriage Issues

If your vehicle is smaller and lower to the ground, you’re more likely to encounter damage to the undercarriage when you hit a pothole. This can create cosmetic problems such as scratches. Hitting a pothole could also harm the bumper. The repairs can be expensive.

4. Larger Problems in the Future

You may not think much of running over one or two potholes. However, ignoring potholes can lead to bigger problems and more costly repairs. Damage to a tire might seem minor initially. However, this could turn into a flat tire or even a blowout, putting you at risk for an accident. Alignment concerns could make it difficult or unwise to drive. Even cosmetic damage to the vehicle can be costly.

If you drive over a pothole, inspect the vehicle and look for signs of problems with the tires, wheels, suspension, and exhaust. If you spot a concern, get tire service right away or have a technician address the affected area of the vehicle.

Bring Your Car to Bill Page Honda for Service

Potholes are nothing to shrug off. No matter how large or small they are, you should stay away from them as you drive in Falls Church, VA, or anywhere else. If you do unfortunately run over a pothole and discover damage to your car, make sure you come to the service center of Bill Page Honda for quality repairs.