Hit a Pothole? What to Check on Your Car
If you drive around here, you've hit one. Most potholes just rattle your teeth, but a hard hit can damage a tire, bend a wheel or knock the alignment out. Here's what to check.
By the ATS Auto Repair team in Harahan ·
Right after the hit
If the car pulls hard, shakes, or you hear flapping or grinding, pull over somewhere safe and look. A tire can lose air fast after a hard hit. If it's flat or going flat, put on the spare or call for help. Driving on a flat can ruin the wheel too.
Look at the tire
- A bulge or bubble in the sidewall. That means the inside of the tire is damaged and air is pushing against the outer rubber. It can blow out. Replace that tire. A bulge can't be patched.
- A cut or gash in the sidewall. Same deal. Sidewall damage isn't repairable.
- Slow air loss over the next few days. The hit may have bent the edge of the wheel where the tire seals, or damaged the valve stem.
Look at the wheel
Check the edge of the rim for a dent or flat spot. A bent wheel can leak air slowly and cause a vibration that gets worse with speed. Some bent wheels can be repaired. Some need replacing.
Pay attention to how it drives
- Steering wheel off-center when you're driving straight, or the car drifts to one side: the alignment probably got knocked out. See wheel alignment.
- A shake at highway speed that wasn't there before: a bent wheel, a damaged tire, or a lost wheel weight.
- A new clunk or rattle over bumps: a damaged strut, control arm, ball joint or sway bar link. See suspension and steering.
- Tire pressure light on: check all four tires. It may be a slow leak.
Why it's worth checking even if it feels fine
An alignment that's a little off doesn't always feel bad, but it can wear the edge of a tire down in a few thousand miles. Catching it early is cheaper than replacing tires early. If you hit one hard, a quick look at the tires and alignment is worth it.
A few ways to take it easier on your car
- Keep the tires at the right pressure. Low tires get damaged more easily.
- Leave more room behind the car ahead so you can see holes coming, especially after a heavy rain when they fill with water and are hard to spot.
- If you can't avoid one, brake before it, not while you're in it, and let off the brake as you go through.
- Report bad potholes to the city or parish so they get fixed.
Stop by
We do tires, alignment and suspension work at 6229 Jefferson Hwy in Harahan. Call (504) 737-4096 and tell us what happened.
Questions we get
Can a tire with a sidewall bulge be repaired?
No. A bulge means the tire's internal structure is damaged. The tire needs to be replaced.
Do I need an alignment after hitting a pothole?
Not always, but if the steering wheel is off-center, the car pulls, or the hit was hard, get it checked. A bad alignment wears tires out early.
Why does my car shake after hitting a pothole?
Common causes are a bent wheel, a damaged tire or a lost balance weight. If it shakes and pulls, a suspension part may be damaged too.
Related
This is general information, not a diagnosis of your car. Every car is different, so call us with your year, make and model, or bring it by.
Ready to get it looked at?
Call (504) 737-4096 or book online.