Tires: Here’s the thing about your tires, they are SUPPOSED to be the only part of your car that makes contact with the road. Potholes smash that dream into a thousand tiny pieces…sometimes literally. A potholes’ jagged edges can wreak havoc on your tires so if you see any bulges, tread separation or flats be sure to get those issues taken care of immediately.  Keeping tires properly inflated can help with this a bit.

Wheels: Much like your tires, the wheels to which your tires are attached will feel the cold and angry force of a pothole. Wheel damage looks like bends, chips, or cracks in the wheel itself. Fun fact about a bent wheel: it is no longer a round object. I may not know a lot about wheels, but I do know that if it’s not round it’s not rolling. Be sure to have the wheels checked out for hairline fractures that might not be as easily visible as chips or bends.  

Suspension: Perhaps you enjoy the invigorating feeling of having your car violently shake every move it makes? If not, and you’d much rather a smooth ride in which you don’t feel like a mixed drink, you will appreciate all that your car’s suspension does for you. It takes the impact of the road and provides a nice smooth ride. A few things that a pothole can really mess up with your suspension including misalignment, broken ball joints, and damaged shocks or struts. You should 100% have a qualified mechanic from Destination Nissan check these issues out for you.

Exhaust: Your exhaust pipes are basically sitting ducks when it comes to potholes. Potholes will take these guys out without any remorse. Deep potholes can cause your car to bottom out and tear up your undercarriage which, I promise you, will ruin you exhaust pipe’s day. What’s worse, a leaky pipe can let exhaust fumes into the cabin, posing a potentially serious health hazard. Again, get that checked out by a professional. Risking your health isn’t worth it.

Body: The thing about cars that are lower to the ground is that, while they handle much better than most, they will inevitably fall victim to potholes lurking around every corner. It’s not their fault, it’s just how they are built. In addition to the issues listed above that require attention to be able to drive safely, a pothole can mess up your nice, new polished vehicle’s crisp appearance. While it won’t affect performance, it can be a real bummer when you have a nice car.

The good news is that MOST potholes aren’t big or deep enough to pose a threat to your car. With correctly inflated tires and aligned suspension, chances are it will roll right through them. However, as seasons change and potholes grow, you need to stay alert and avoid them as best you can. If you don’t, you risk expensive car part repairs and replacements. If ever you feel like your car has been damaged by a pothole you can stop by Destination Nissan’s Service Department and we’ll be happy to thoroughly check your vehicle to make sure that it’s safe to drive.