Do your roads look like this? Potholes are cropping up everywhere, posing a threat to drivers and tires. Photo: CBS New York
The Yield of a Snowy Winter? A Bumper Crop Of Potholes.
I was planning on getting new boots this winter, but a pothole the size of a watermelon changed all that.
Potholes are more than just an annoyance, they can cause a lot of damage to your car. Potholes are those craters in the road that form when cracks in the asphalt are widened by water, ice and salt, then freeze and expand to push out the dirt and gravel, leaving a hole. Even if you live in an area without freezing temperatures, large amounts of water in a rainy season can do just as much damage. As I drive around St. Louis these days it seems some streets are more pothole than asphalt.
A Pothole’s First Victim: Your Tires
If you think hitting a pothole is uncomfortable to the people in the car, imagine how your tire reacts: the jolt can break the belts inside the tire, causing the tread section to slip out of line, leading to shaking and vibrations, blow holes in the sidewall, and potentially a blowout or flat. This means you’ll most likely need to replace that tire. If your tires are just about worn out, having only 4/32” tread depth, it is recommended to go ahead and replace all the tires on your car. If you do not have an all-wheel drive car and prefer to save a little money you can replace just two tires. Here’s a good guide to checking the depth of your tire tread from Neace Tire in Dayton, Ohio.
But Wait, There’s More: Your Wheels and Suspension Can Be Damaged, Too
Pothole damage can affect the wheel as well as the tire. My husband took this photo of a client’s wheel damaged by hitting pothole
Then, there’s the really good hard hit: when this happens there is a good chance you will do damage to the rim (the wheel) which in turn will probably damage the tire, too. When the rim is bent it is no longer round. Depending on the rim and the amount of damage it will either need repaired or replaced. Vehicles with low profile tires—narrow tires that in the past were usually found on performance cars but have become increasingly popular— are more prone to this type of damage due to the lack of cushioning in the tire.
In addition to harming the wheel, potholes can damage internal suspension parts, too. Many newer vehicles have aluminum suspension components which are more easily bent. A really hard hit can bend parts such as the steering knuckle, control arms, struts, tie rods, or other components.
What You Should Do After Hitting a Pothole
You know you’ve done damage when your car starts to shake or vibrate. You should take your car to a qualified technician soon. Be sure to tell them that you hit a pothole and which tire or tires took the blow. If you are lucky enough to avoid major potholes but still have hit your share of smaller ones during the season, it’s a good idea to take your car in for tire balance and alignment after your pothole season has ended. The cost of having these services done now can help save you money by prolonging the life of your tires. The alignment will also be able to detect if there is more serious damage that needs attention.
Paying for Pothole Damage: This Time, My Boot Budget; Next Time I’m Getting Insurance
Full coverage auto insurance will usually cover repair costs from potholes, but you have to determine if making a claim is worth it based on your deductible. If you live somewhere prone to potholes, when purchasing new tires consider getting the road hazard insurance option; this may cover tire damage from potholes, nails, and other road hazards. Generally speaking, cities and states are not liable for damages to your car from potholes, though there are exceptions.
What else can you do? Check with your local street departments to see if they have a pothole hotline to report potholes for repair or learn which streets have been repaired; many communities try to keep up with repairs in a more efficient manner. And, avoid potholes when possible. If you see one and have room to go around or change lanes safely, that is your best bet. Slowing down can also help to avoid damage from a pothole, and if you keep your tires properly inflated you’ll also negate damage done to your tire by hitting a pothole.
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What a mess! Richmond usually has temperate winters, but the polar vortex got us good this year. We have an amazing crop of potholes. Thanks for the good info–I hope I don’t have to use it!
I hope you don’t have to either! We had a warm up for a couple of days and the potholes have really come out in full force now in St. Louis!
Robyn, not a super sexy topic but one that more women do need to be aware of when driving. Even thought I live in a dry climate I hit a pothole a few years back and it flattened my tire. While I had the road hazard coverage for my tires it ended up costing me a new blouse because it got stuff on it from changing the tire.
Sorry you had to give up your boot fund. If only your friends could compliment your new tire for a few months to help you feel better.
Good for you for changing your own tire though Sara! That is awesome!
WOW! I’m driving along last night and experienced what was either A) a crater from a missile strike, or B) a POTHOLE !!! In my attempt to find some info about how to take the proper steps in filing a claim with the highway dept., I came across your post.
Everything you mentioned that CAN happen, DID happen. My tire is blown. My suspension is bent. My wheel is bent. Even my wheel bearings were damaged!
This is not just a shady mechanic trying to get the most $ out of a repair by inflating the repair estimate, as I am a mechanic myself. This was damage caused while traveling 50 mph at night, along Hwy 70 heading toward St. Charles from downtown, on the depressed section under the overpasses near the Arch.
Here is what I’ve discovered during my search for reimbursement from the Highway Dept.:
A) Take pictures! Not of the road if it’s dangerous, of course, but of your car and its damaged parts.
B) Report pothole to MODOT online, and call the police to file report (looking back, I wish I had!).
C) Get an estimate done and get a copy.
D) Contact the company that’s contracted by the state (and paid more than fairly, I’m sure) to maintain these roads and highways in a manner which ensures they’re safe to travel upon. Here is the company contact info and the person in charge of handling these cases:
K C I
10315 Lake Bluff Drive
St. Louis, MO 63123
Attn.: Brent Krueger (ext. 236)
(314) 894-8888 (main)
(314) 894-7418 (fax)
Hope this info helps.
Thanks Jimmy for the extra info! So Sorry that one of those darn potholes got you and your car! I’m noticing that the potholes are multiplying rapidly now that the weather in St. Louis is warming up. Be careful out there!