​After two huge snowstorms around the holidays, West Michigan warmed right up for January. While we may welcome the respite from the bitter cold, this has also brought an early pothole season to Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. Potholes can happen anywhere, and can really damage your vehicle if you hit one just right. The best thing to do is avoid potholes altogether, but that isn't always possible. This article, which we've updated from a previous one, explains how potholes form, what parts of your vehicle they could damage, and steps you can take to minimize their impact.
Where Do Potholes Come From?
Potholes form when warm water settles into cracks in the pavement. This water can wash away the supportive layer of sand or substrate below the pavement. When the temperature drops and that water freezes, it expands as it turns into ice, forcing the cracks wider and letting even more water in next thaw. Eventually, whether by plow truck or total loss of supporting earth, the pothole collapses, leaving a dangerous hole in the road. These vary in depth from one inch to possibly several, and if they're full of water it's impossible for a driver to tell.If I Have No Choice But To Drive Through A Pothole, What Do I Do?
If you're driving and spot a pothole (or a suspicious puddle in most cases) the best thing to do is check your surroundings and safely navigate around it. However, in many cases that won't be possible, or the maneuver could endanger you or other drivers. This doesn't mean you're doomed to a doozy of a repair bill. Here are a couple of steps to minimize or even avoid damage to your vehicle.Slow down as much as you safely can, the slower you're going, the less force your wheel stikes the pothole with. Remember, you're hitting the side of the pothole opposite you and then climbing out, so that means you're going to want to drive through it as straight as possible. This spreads out the impact into the width of the tire and not the metal rim. Wheels or rims, being made of a rigid metal alloy, can crack if they impact on an angle, and don't absorb shock like tires can. The less that gets through the initial impact, the less your suspension has to absorb.
Here's a quick play-by-play of what to do:
- Brake and square up with the pothole to go through it straight and as slowly as possible.
- Just before impact, release the brake. Hold the steering wheel firm to keep the vehicle traveling straight.
- Wait for the rear wheel to clear the pothole, then gently press the throttle.
- Feel and listen for any new noises, behavior, or changes in handling.
What Parts Of My Vehicle Can Be Damaged By a Pothole?
Any number of things can sustain damage, including splits in your tire, catastrophic damage to shocks, or even a cracked windshield. In most cases where there's severe damage, we end up replacing parts of the suspension. Some of these parts, such as the shocks and to a lesser extent the coil-over struts, need to be replaced over the life of your vehicle anyway. If the pothole damage is just to these parts, the repair is pretty simple. However, other parts like the tie rods and control arms can be bent or damaged too, and for those, the repairs will take a little longer.If your vehicle suffers cosmetic damage, our Collision Center will work tirelessly to restore your vehicle to pre-incident condition. That includes sourcing top-quality or genuine OEM parts, thoroughly inspecting your vehicle for hidden damage, to working with your insurance company on your behalf. We have courtesy vehicles available as well, so you don't need to rely on renting a vehicle if your insurance doesn't cover it. Remember, per Michigan law, you have the right to choose your collision center, not your insurance company.
In the majority of cases where a concerned driver brings in their vehicle for inspection, the damage, if any, is very minor. If anything, you may need a new tire or even just an alignment. Our technicians will look over your vehicle carefully and recommend what needs replacing now and what can wait until later, giving you peace of mind. If you've noticed any strange handling or noises after driving through a pothole, Schedule An Appointment with the Borgman Service Center today and come see why we're the Best in the West!