What Happens to Your Car When You Hit a Pothole?

You know the feeling. You see the pothole a second too late, brace for impact and... THUD.

Then comes the immediate question: Did that just hurt my car?

Sometimes, your car comes out just fine. Other times, one hard hit can affect your tires, wheels, alignment or suspension. And with Iowa roads seeing their fair share of potholes, it helps to know what can happen and what to watch for afterward.

Your Tires and Wheels Take the First Hit

Your tires are usually the first point of impact when you hit a pothole. A hard hit can damage the tire itself or even bend or crack a wheel.

After a particularly rough pothole, look for a tire that's losing pressure, visible cuts or bulges, or damage to the wheel. Even if everything looks normal at first glance, pay attention to any changes while you're driving.

Your Alignment Can Be Thrown Off

A pothole impact can also affect your vehicle's wheel alignment.

One of the easiest signs to notice is your vehicle suddenly pulling to one side while you're driving. You might also notice that your steering wheel sits off-center when you're traveling straight.

An alignment that's out of place can also contribute to uneven tire wear over time, so it's worth paying attention if your vehicle feels different after a hard hit.

Your Steering and Suspension Can Feel the Impact

Your suspension is designed to absorb bumps in the road, but there's a big difference between a small bump and dropping a wheel into a deep pothole.

A hard impact can put extra stress on shocks, struts, tie rods, control arms and other steering or suspension components.

If you start hearing a new clunking or rattling sound, notice more bouncing than usual, or your vehicle simply doesn't handle the way it did before, the pothole may have affected more than just your tire.

So, Should You Get Your Car Checked?

Not every pothole means something was damaged. If you hit a small one and your vehicle continues driving normally, there may be nothing to worry about.

But after a hard impact, pay attention to what your car is telling you. Watch for:

Pulling to one side
Steering wheel vibrations
Loss of tire pressure
Visible tire or wheel damage
New clunking or rattling noises
A rougher or bouncier ride
Changes in steering or handling

If any of these show up after hitting a pothole, having your vehicle inspected can help identify whether something was damaged.

Hit a Pothole and Something Doesn't Feel Right?

Sometimes you hit a pothole, cringe at the sound and keep driving without another thought. Other times, your car lets you know that hit was a little harder than it seemed.

If your vehicle is pulling, vibrating, making a new noise or simply doesn't feel the same after hitting a pothole, the Cassill Motors Service Center in Cedar Rapids can take a look.

Our service team works on all makes and models and can inspect your tires, wheels, alignment, steering and suspension to determine if that pothole caused any damage.

Schedule your service appointment online and let our team take a look.