Pothole Car & Tire Damage (& Associated Repair Costs)

Pothole Car and Tire Damage (and Associated Repair Costs)

Spring has sprung, which means the outdoors are full of flowers, green grass, and — potholes? Unfortunately, potholes are common throughout New England this time of year. Formed by water seeping through cracks on the road, freezing, and then creating pockets, potholes can wreak havoc for drivers.

Suspected Pothole Car Damage (Self-Inspection)

If you drive over a large pothole and suspect that your car may be damaged, it’s important to do a brief self-inspection. You should look for visual signs of damage, especially to the tires and rims. Potholes can cause disfigured, cracked, or bent rims, as well as bulges in the sidewall or rips and cuts on the tires.

The steering wheel should also be checked for misalignment. It may not be visible right away, so it’s important to monitor for any steering changes that occur as you continue driving. If you suspect that your car has been damaged by a pothole, we recommend making an appointment with your local mechanic and having the suspension checked for bent or damaged parts. At VIP auto, we offer free alignment checks, and brake and tire safety inspections to help you get an idea of what needs to be repaired.

Signs of Pothole Damage

In addition to visual signs of pothole damage, here are some other signs to be aware of:

• Excessive bouncing when driving
• Intermittent loss of steering control
• Crooked or loose steering wheel
• Vibration in your steering wheel
• Uneven tire wear
• The car pulling to one side
• Leaking fluids
• Noisy exhaust system

Types of Damage a Pothole Can Do & Estimated Repair Costs

Tire & Rim Damage

Tire and rim damage is the most common type of pothole damage. Tire repair cost varies greatly depending on the amount of damage. Typically, pothole tire damage is too great to be repaired, and the tire will need to be replaced. Depending on the vehicle and type of tires, such as Solar by TBC, a new tire is around $120.

For vehicles with larger tires, synch as Goodyear, Michelin, BF Goodrich, or Firestone, the cost can be around $300 to $500 per tire. New rims can cost anywhere from $100 (for a small tire with a steel wheel) to $600+ (for a larger tire with an alloy wheel).

Suspension & Steering

Hitting a pothole can knock off your wheel alignment. This can cause off-balance tires that can affect the quality of your ride, safety, and ability to steer. With a misaligned steering wheel, a car can pull to one side, be off-center, or have stiff steering. Misaligned tires also reduce fuel economy (since your tires drag instead of rolling) and will cause uneven wearing which can make your tires more susceptible to hydroplaning and losing traction when turning and accelerating. Uneven wear can reduce the life of your tire significantly, requiring new tires more frequently and costing more money in the long run.

Preventative Maintenance

Proper maintenance can prevent costly repairs in the future and help keep you safe. We recommend the following preventative maintenance:

• Rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
• Have your alignment inspected regularly
• Replace worn shock and struts
• Keep an eye out for suspension and steering changes
• Keep tire pressure at the appropriate PSI (the recommended tire pressure is on the tire placard usually on the driver’s side door)

Your local auto shop may have specialized programs, such as VIP’s Lifetime Alignment Service Warranty, or Tire Maintenance Plus++ programs. The lifetime warranty covers the entire life of the vehicle, not the tires. We’ve found that this program offsets its cost after just a few alignments. 

The Tire Maintenance Plus++ program includes free tire, mounting, and balancing repairs. With the program, drivers can have unrepairable tires replaced for free within 6 months of purchase or 25% tread wear. This plan covers tires damaged due to potholes and other road hazards.

Tips to Prevent Pothole Car Damage

There are a few easy ways to prevent pothole damage to your vehicle.

Drive Safely

Speeding over a pothole can make potential damage worse to your vehicle. Drive slowly when on unfamiliar roads.

Be Alert on the Roads

Actively avoid potholes when you can. If you can’t avoid a pothole, it’s best to take your foot off the gas and glide over it. Don’t brake over a pothole — this can cause tires to take further damage or even pop. You should also avoid puddles since they often hide potholes. Lastly, give yourself distance from the driver in front of you — the more time you have to react to the pothole, the more likely you’ll be able to avoid it.

Keep Your Car Maintained

Deflated tires or a loose suspension can make damage from a pothole worse. It increases the chances of knocking something out of alignment or puncturing a tire tread.

If your car does sustain pothole damage, fear not. Our ASE-certified Certified Automotive Professionals can diagnose the issue and discuss repair options with you. Schedule a service appointment today to get started.