We’ve all gone over a pothole and thoughts like “I hope that hasn’t done any damage” have ran through our minds as you bump up and down over the frustrating potholes.
These potholes can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle which can be costly and potentially cause accidents.
Fortunately for you, there are many steps that you can take to reduce the risk of damage that the pothole can cause. We’ll go through:
Keeping your eyes on the road allows you to see if a pothole is ahead. Doing this means you can avoid them and their damage if possible. Be aware, this is very important in wet conditions as puddles may hide deeper potholes which can cause even more damage if gone over at speed.
You should also be maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. This allows you to see the potholes ahead, which you wouldn’t be able to do if you’re tailgating.
Braking too hard can cause extra stress on your front suspension due to the vehicle tilting forward. The best thing you can do when approaching a pothole is to slow down giving you plenty of time to just coast over the pothole. If you don’t have enough time to slow down to a safe speed, it’s best to maintain the same speed instead of braking at the last minute due to braking harshly on top of a pothole may cause more damage.
Your tyres condition makes a huge difference when going over potholes. Having under-inflated tyres can increase the chances of your vehicle getting damaged when going over a pothole, so having properly inflated tyres will give you extra peace of mind. To find the exact tyre pressure your tyres need to be, consult your car's manual or you can find this on your drivers’ door. Make sure you regularly check your tyres for dents/punctures or excessive wear.
The key point in avoiding damage when going over a pothole is to drive slowly. If you know or can see you’re going to go over a pothole, it’s important that you drive at a slow speed as a high speed can negatively affect your vehicle.
Even with using all these tips, you still need to be careful. But by taking these steps, you will have the best chance of not receiving damage to your car and having a smoother car journey. If you notice anything wrong with your vehicle after going over a pothole, make sure that you get your vehicle checked by a professional at your local Chorley group branch.