Does Hitting a Pothole Damage Tires and Vehicle

Road safety is something that is taken very seriously by the UAE authorities. The rising number of road accidents have made road safety a burning topic in the public policy sphere. Recently, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development launched a new toll-free number for reporting potholes, damaged roads, or sand covered roads. However, only federal roads can be reported.

Nevertheless, it is a welcome step towards ensuring road safety. Potholes are a nuisance all around the world. No matter how much developed a country is, potholes do exist. What makes pothole so dangerous is the amount of damage they can cause. In the USA alone, potholes are responsible for $3 billion worth of damage.

In India, a man lost his life as his bike hit a pothole launching him into the hair. The impact from the fall caused him a severe brain injury, ultimately leading to his unfortunate death. Likewise, In the UAE, potholes are a nuisance causing damages to the vehicle’s tires and other parts. Hence, there are no opposing opinions regarding the question 'does hitting a pothole damage tires and the vehicle?’.

Before discussing the type and severity of the damage, let us talk about how potholes are formed.

What Causes Potholes?

Potholes are an inescapable reality. As said before, no matter how well developed a country is, potholes can form anywhere. They are caused when the soil beneath the pavement or the road begins to weaken or is displaced.

Rain or snow can displace the soil beneath the pavement, and as cars drive over such areas, the pavement begins to crack or deform. Over time, a hole appears in the road, known as the pothole. Moreover, potholes increase in size as cars keep driving over them continuously. The increased size can prove damaging to your vehicle and the tires.

What Components do the Potholes Affect?

Potholes do cause costly damage to the tires and the vehicle! The most affected parts from potholes are:

• Tires
• Wheel
• Engine
• Suspension
• Exhaust System

The damage to these parts can cause damage or have an impact on the other parts of a vehicle. For example, a damaged suspension will impact the steering. While a damaged exhaust can impact the engine.

How to Recognize that the Pothole Caused Damage?

There are numerous ways to recognize that the pothole you just hit caused you damage.

Tires

Tire damage from a pothole is an experience that no one wants. Typical damage to tyre from potholes is a flat tire. Although not costly to fix, flat tires are an extreme nuisance. Apart from this, they can cause damage to the tire's sidewall, which might require you to replace the tires. Moreover, if the force is great, they can cause a tire to a blowout on impact. Not only is this costly, but a tire blowout is extremely dangerous. 

Internal damage to the tire is also possible. However, internal damage is not easily discernible. Hence, if you hit a pothole very roughly, take it to a mechanic to get the tires checked. If any bulges are sticking out from the tire, it is a sign of severe internal tire damage.

Wheel

A sudden impact can damage the wheel and cause it to bend or even crack. It can prove very costly to repair, depending on the damage. At times, repairing is not possible, requiring replacement, which is even more costly. A cracked or bent wheel can affect the car’s performance and is not something that you can ignore.

Suspension

Pothole damage to car suspension is not something uncommon. The suspension is designed to absorb impacts. However, potholes can damage it and lead to a variety of problems including broke ball joints, misalignment, damaged shocks etc. 

A damaged suspension can cause the car to pull into one direction. Likewise, the car's ability to absorb impacts will be significantly diminished, leading to a very uncomfortable driving experience. At times it can prove challenging to recognize suspension damage. Therefore, consult a car mechanic.

Exhaust

Pothole damage to a car can be understood in terms of damage to the car’s undercarriage. A pothole can scrape the car’s undercarriage, damaging the exhaust system, the muffler, or the catalytic converter. A dent or hole in the exhaust system is possible depending on the force of the impact. A loss of power or unpleasant noises is an indicator of damage to the exhaust system.

A leaky exhaust system can cause dangerous fumes to find their way into the car’s cabin, which is a serious health hazard. The damage to the oil pan can result in leakage of engine oil. If left unchecked or unrepaired, you are exposing yourself to significant engine damage. 

Body Damage

Potholes can cause damage to the car’s body, especially those which are closer to the ground. A car which sacrifices height will offer improved handling but is exceptionally susceptible to body damage. Potholes can scrape the car's bumper or side skirts. Although this does not affect performance, they are a nuisance nonetheless as they affect your car’s overall appearance.

Conclusion

Most potholes are not deep enough to cause discernible damage. However, continually driving over them can lead to severe damage, which can prove very costly. Cost of pothole repair can vary depending on the damage. Typically, the cost ranges between 150 AED to 2000 AED.

Therefore, the next time you are driving, keep an eye on the road for potholes and avoid them. Driving over them must be the last option. If you are driving on federal roads, call the toll-free number to report the potholes immediately.