Car parts are prone to damage from frequent contact with potholes.

Potholes are the common name for depressions in damaged road surfaces, and are one of the most common hazards drivers encounter on the road. When a wheel falls into a pothole, most of the force exerted on the wheel is transmitted vertically to the suspension system, as the bottom of the tire is the point of contact with the road surface. The deeper the pothole, the harder the wheel falls, and the greater the force exerted on the tire.

However, most wheel damage from potholes occurs when the tire exits the pothole, because at this time the suspension system is in a compressed state, not yet recovered, with no more shock absorber travel. Applying additional force to the tire (when the tire touches the edge of the pothole) will cause other components of the wheel and suspension system to bear strong stress, leading to damage.

Below are some of the parts of a car that are most susceptible to damage when the vehicle frequently encounters potholes on the road.

Tires

Tires are a part of a car that comes into direct contact with the road surface. If the car frequently travels on rough terrain with many potholes, drivers should pay attention to checking the condition of their tires to ensure safety.

Several external signs of tire damage when hitting potholes are easily recognizable, such as: air leaks, flat tires, tire splits, bulges on the sidewalls, etc. In addition, if the road surface has a lot of gravel or sharp objects, it can easily cause tire tears or punctures. If the tire cannot absorb the entire impact, the rim bears the brunt. The rim may be warped, deformed, cracked, or even broken, affecting the vehicle's suspension system in some serious cases.

Body

The advantage of low-slung cars is their high stability due to the closely spaced suspension travel. However, this is also a disadvantage when encountering deep potholes. This can cause the undercarriage to scrape, severely damaging the vehicle body. Therefore, owners of low-slung cars should consider and be extremely careful when driving on roads with many potholes. In particular, thorough vehicle inspections are necessary after driving on rough roads to promptly detect and effectively repair any damage.

Suspension system

The suspension system is a crucial part of a car, responsible for dampening shocks and balancing the vehicle, ensuring stability and minimizing bouncing. It's also the part of the car most susceptible to damage when driving over potholes, a detail drivers need to pay close attention to.

When a car's suspension system is subjected to frequent strong impacts or significant deterioration, it can experience several problems such as: damaged connecting joints, less effective shock absorption, damaged struts, etc.

Car owners can also look for the following signs to determine if their car's suspension system is malfunctioning: a misaligned steering wheel with an unsteady grip, the car leaning to one side while driving, uneven tire wear, and a loose steering wheel... In these cases, you should have your car inspected and repaired promptly.

Exhaust pipe

The exhaust system on a car is designed to run along the undercarriage. Therefore, this part is very susceptible to damage and dents when the car goes over potholes. In particular, when the car encounters deep potholes, it can cause the undercarriage to scrape, resulting in chipping or tearing of the exhaust pipe and related components.

When a car part malfunctions, it often makes strange noises or its performance is significantly reduced. Similarly, if a car's exhaust pipe is damaged, you'll hear many unpleasant noises coming from the hole. In particular, the exhaust pipe will emit more white smoke than usual, or worse, smoke may back up into the car.

Wheel assembly area

The wheel assembly area is also a part of a car that is extremely vulnerable to damage when driving over potholes. Besides the tires, the rims and hubs are also very susceptible to dents and deformation if driven over deep potholes or rough terrain. Some common signs of damage to the wheel assembly after driving over potholes include: warped or bent rims, or loose hub axles causing the wheels to not go straight, directly affecting many other parts of the car.

How to prevent damage to your car when driving over potholes.

To avoid damage caused by potholes, the best approach is to avoid driving on roads with many potholes whenever possible. When driving on unfamiliar roads, look further ahead to observe obstacles, allowing for early warning and timely reactions. When driving in low-light conditions, slow down to improve visibility. Drivers should also ensure their tires are properly inflated according to the recommended pressure on the tire sidewall; avoid under-inflation or over-inflation.

If a pothole is unavoidable, drivers should reduce their speed as much as possible and ensure there are no vehicles nearby. Matt Edmonds, Vice President of The Tire Rack (a distributor of tires, wheels, and car accessories in India), shared that drivers should not brake at the moment of hitting a pothole, because braking compresses the front suspension, reducing its ability to effectively absorb the impact. The goal is to let the car glide over the pothole at the lowest possible speed, only accelerating when all wheels are on a level surface.

Additionally, when driving over potholes, drivers should firmly grip the steering wheel and keep it straight if possible. Firmly gripping the steering wheel increases control, and straightening it minimizes damage to the tires. If the tires tilt to either side during impact, the sidewalls bear more force, causing deformation and potentially severe damage.