Ways a Road Damages Your Car During the Fall
Driving around puts wear and tear on your vehicle, but certain aspect of the road cause more damage than others:
Potholes
A pothole form when water seeps into the pavement, freezes and expands, then cracks the material. In fall, with leaves covering the ground, detecting their depth isn’t as simple. So, there’s a chance you’ll drive along and not notice one, until you feel it or hear a loud “thunk!”
What can happen when you hit a pothole?
- Premature or uneven wear on your tires
- Alignment issues
- Steering system misalignment
- Punctures to the undercarriage, which then leads to leaks and rust formation.
- Bent rims
- Suspension damage
- Exhaust system damage
What can you do? The damage is obvious in certain instances: You hear the sound, or feel as if something isn’t quite right with alignment when you drive. If you hit one that’s particularly deep when you’re traveling at a high speed, make sure you contact your body shop for an alignment check, tire repair or rotation, and inspection.
Salt
By winter, salt’s a fairly common sight on the roads. Yet, what many don’t realize is, while salt melts the ice, it can corrode your car’s finish, lead to rust, and affects mechanical components. Your car, from long-term exposure, may have a damaged sub frame, exhaust, muffler, coil springs, or get hydraulic brake leaks.
What can you do? Experts recommend:
- Washing your car at least once a year before temperatures hit 35° F.
- Steer away from deep snow and large puddles.
- Wax every three months, as a stronger coating guards better.
In many cases, your car insurance covers the cost of repairs. To explore more options or to change your plan, contact Ion Insurance 203.439.2815.
