Potholes and Your Tires

Potholes and Your Tires
Potholes are shallow or deep cavities in the roadway caused by the erosion of asphalt.
These cavities can be large or small. But, no matter the size, driving over a pothole could be
potentially disastrous. They can cause damage to you tires and other parts of your car, and
put you and others in danger. Damage from potholes can be expensive and sometimes
irreversible. However, there are ways to protect yourself before and after hitting a pothole.
Below is some advice on what you can do.
Prepare for Potential Potholes
It may be impossible to avoid potholes while driving, but there are some things you can do
to protect yourself before encountering one. Protecting yourself includes: maintaining your
tires, driving responsibly and purchasing a tire warranty. Proper tire maintenance can
minimize damage after hitting a pothole. Tires that are inflated to the optimum pressure or
pound-force per square inch (PSI) guard against extreme damage. Driving responsibly
means avoiding suspected potholes whenever possible. For example, avoiding water-filled
puddles in the road, maintaining a safe following distance and slowing down and driving
around potholes.
Identify Damage After Driving Over a Pothole
Damage caused by potholes can be minor or major. Minor damage includes dents,
punctures and bent wheels, whereas major damage includes broken tire parts, wheel
misalignment and severe suspension damage. Potholes can also cause damage to your car’s
struts, tie rods, ball joints and control arm. However, some damage is more apparent than
others. Apparent damage includes:
Leaking fluids
Flat tires
Tire vibrations or loud noises
Bulging sidewalls
Bent rims
However, whether the damage is apparent or not, after hitting a pothole, you should have
your tires inspected by one of the best tire shops Edmonton has to offer. At Computerized
AutoPro, we have a team of tire experts that can immediately assess and fix any damage
caused to your tires. Plus, if there’s irreparable damage, the service sells tires for only 10%
over cost.
Don’t Drive on the Tires After Hitting a Pothole
Your tires may last for many miles after driving over a pothole, but if there’s damage, the
more miles you drive, the more damaged the tires become. So, have your tires checked and

possibly replaced, immediately after a pothole encounter. If this isn’t possible then
personally check your tires for visible signs of damage and closely monitor their pressure.
A loss in pressure could be a sign of damage.
Have questions about tires? Need to replace or repair your tires? Look no further. Give us
a call and take advantage of our expert advice, great service and even better deals on tires.