Understanding the Effects of Potholes on Your Kia Vehicles

Potholes and bumps will always be on the road, regardless of where you drive. Potholes result from the continuous cycle of water freezing and thawing beneath the pavement, causing it to break apart. Additional factors such as heavy traffic and subpar construction worsen the problem, but the main culprit is the repeated freezing and thawing of water. Based on their size and depth, such defects may present minor inconveniences or serious hazards.

Negative Effects of Potholes on Your Vehicle

Most drivers consider small holes in the road minor inconveniences. However, potholes can damage your vehicle's undercarriage, wheels, and suspension if you drive over them.

Damage to wheels and tires

Potholes can cause tire punctures, tread separation, and sidewall bulges. The hard edge of a pothole can slice your tire rubber or break the straps that keep your tire in place.

Potholes can scrape the wheels and sometimes cause bends. If this occurs, the tire and wheel may not have an airtight seal. It might be easy to repair rims with small cracks and hairline fractures, but if the wheel is chipped or missing chunks, it may need replacements.

Suspension damage

A Kia's suspension system is capable of absorbing bumps and impacts. Nevertheless, wear and tear accelerate when your car rolls over bumps and potholes, resulting in performance loss. On the other hand, a big impact can break ball joints, damage the shocks, or bend the axles. A damaged suspension may cause the vehicle to pull to one side, make unusual noises, or vibrate after hitting a pothole.

Damage to the Undercarriage

You might love the handling of a low-riding Kia vehicle. However, there is a higher risk for pothole damage compared to those with high ground clearance. There is a risk of potholes scraping low-hanging bumpers and side skirts. In addition, potholes may damage the undercarriage of your Kia. As a result, exhaust pipes, mufflers, and catalytic converters can get scraped and dented, which can lead to rusting and leaks. If potholes are common in your area, you may want to equip your vehicle with off-road accessories, such as an underbody protector.

Damaged or loose bumpers and side skirts

Your vehicle's bumper is one of its most important protective components. However, large, deep potholes can easily damage it. Side skirts and bumpers that hang low are the first to suffer from pothole damage.

Damage to the exhaust system

Potholes often damage exhausts because they are located along the undercarriage. Cars can bottom out in deep potholes, scraping their undercarriages along the bitumen, which can dent or tear their exhaust systems. A hole in your exhaust system will result in power loss and unpleasant sounds, but the worst part is that your vehicle will release harmful emissions.

Wheel Alignment Issues

Potholes can misalign your Kia's wheels. Wheel alignment problems can have unpleasant and potentially dangerous consequences, including vibrations, poor steering, and premature or irregular tire wear.

How to Keep Your Kia Safe from Potholes

If you live in areas prone to potholes, you may need more than careful driving. To mitigate the risks of driving in pothole-ridden areas, you should ensure that your Kia vehicle can handle rough roads.

Maintain the condition of your tires: Checking your tires before and after traveling is always a good idea. If your tires make loud noises, roll unevenly, or have bulges or dents, our technicians at Tempe Kia can check them out.

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated: When tires are underinflated or overinflated, they are more likely to get stuck in potholes. Proper tire inflation is also imperative to prevent bent wheels and flat tires. The recommended inflation level can be found in your owner's manual or on your vehicle's doorjamb.
• Increase your car's ground clearance: Upfitting your Kia with accessories to increase ground clearance can help you combat the risk of damaging it when hitting potholes. Taller vehicles or vehicles with off-road tires are less likely to be damaged by potholes. If your area is prone to potholes, buy a model with enough clearance. The 2024 Kia Telluride, for instance, has 8 to 8.4 inches of ground clearance, depending on trim level.
• You should maintain your suspension: Regularly maintaining your vehicle's suspension can help minimize damage when you hit a pothole. Your vehicle's shocks, struts, and springs cushion the impact when it hits something. Therefore, it is ideal to ensure they are in good condition and can withstand rough terrain.

Get Professional Pothole Damage Repair in Tempe, AZ

Getting your vehicle repaired after hitting a pothole requires professional assistance. Drivers in Tempe, Arizona, can expect reliable service and awesome deals from Tempe Kia's service department.