Just about every driver knows the headache that hitting a pothole can cause. Here are some common issues that pothole damage can cause so that you can identify the problem if you run into this all-too-common issue on the road. If your vehicle seems to be experiencing these symptoms, the service team at your local Mazda dealer can help you get your vehicle back to working order.
Tire Damage
Like other uneven terrain, potholes are bound to cause some wear and tear to your tires when you drive over them. If you hit one hard enough, however, it may cause a puncture in the tires instead. Look for any visible holes along your tires as well as signs of bulges in any part of the tire, as these may be indicative of internal damage.
Bent Wheel Rims
Along with the tires, potholes can also do damage to the wheel rims themselves. Look for any bends or cracks along where the rim of your wheel meets the tire. If the wheel is bent even slightly, it won’t roll smoothly along the road and will need to be swapped out with a replacement part.
Steering Misalignment
The force of an impact from a sudden lurch in your vehicle may also throw your alignment out of order. If you notice that your vehicle pulls to one side while in motion or that there is a persistent shaking or vibrating coming from the wheels, a realignment might be necessary to fix your vehicle’s suspension.
Wearing Down of Shocks or Struts
Even if your alignment seems in check, there are other components of your vehicle’s suspension that may have suffered damage and should be checked. Take a look for a blown strut or any shock issues if you’ve suffered damage from a pothole. Sorting out these problems soon after they occur can prevent further issues from arising later on down the line.
Exhaust System Damage
After driving away from the sudden impact of hitting a pothole, keep an ear out for any strange noises coming from your vehicle that wasn’t present before. If you hear any suspicious noises, it’s possible that your exhaust took a hit. Take your vehicle in to your local dealership to have it thoroughly inspected to assess the damage
Engine Damage
In severe cases of impact caused by a pothole, you may also experience damage to the engine of your vehicle itself. A pothole may cause your engine to shift too hard, doing damage to your powertrain. The impact may also have caused engine mounts to break. Leaving these problems unresolved will lead to even worse engine damage in the future.
If your vehicle takes a hit during pothole season, or for any other maintenance concerns you might have, our service team has you covered. We’ll put our experience and knowledge to use to get your vehicle running as good as new by the time you drive it off our lot. Visit Flood Mazda today!
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