What to check after hitting a pothole/best maneuver?
Posted by Dazzling_Ride_3145@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Hi there!
Just a general question. I was unable to avoid a pothole this morning on the highway and hit it at about 65 mph. Is the best thing to do in that scenario to just coast over it if I can’t swerve around it safely?
I let my hands off the wheel and she still rode straight.
Just trying to see what maneuver is best, obviously braking is not the move.
‘25 cx5 1250 miles
Best,
Playful-Parsnip-3540@reddit
why need to hit potholes when you can avoide them
https://indiaroadmap.in/ for navigation and Bad road alerts for India roads.
tempestAnima@reddit
Bub
Entire_Researcher_45@reddit
Head to discount tire now!
jamaa_wetu@reddit
Let me check if the front strut tower of the CX-5 is Aluminium or steel before replying with the puns I have for the post
Dazzling_Ride_3145@reddit (OP)
Let me know
JumpinJackTrash79@reddit
As long as there's no wobble, you're good.
SamAndBrew@reddit
Go back and blast the same pothole at the same speed with the other wheel. 💪🏽👍🏽
Just kidding. If it’s rolling straight and your tires are holding air then you’re fine. Next time just rub the dashboard and apologize.
Dazzling_Ride_3145@reddit (OP)
“I’m sorry baby. Shh shh”
BouncingSphinx@reddit
Yes, exactly.
Psychotic_Dove@reddit
Haha this is me! I hit one the other day, yelled "shit I'm sorry baby" and rubbed the steering wheel. I'm so glad I'm not the only one that apologizes to their car.
Efficient_Field4700@reddit
"don't worry girl. I'll get you fixed up" - me to my car every time anything even slightly bad happens to it.
Comfortable-Study-69@reddit
If it still drives straight and there’s no noticeable suspension problems, it’s probably fine.
Generally the concern for a serious potholes and curbs is the front suspension, though. This is going to depend on the actual car since suspension systems vary quite a bit, but generally, unless you hit something really bad and/or have something with leaf springs or another unique suspension system, you want to look for tire/rim damage and then check for excessive strut weeping, deformed/split coils, bent control arms, bent tie rods, and damaged bolts/bushings attached to those parts.
Dazzling_Ride_3145@reddit (OP)
So should I go under and look at it?
Dazzling_Ride_3145@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I’ll have to look up what those things are! I appreciate it.
Thereelgerg@reddit
Is the car damaged? Why would you have to do something?
Dazzling_Ride_3145@reddit (OP)
I don’t think so but I don’t know what to check to be sure it’s not if that makes sense,?
stageshooter@reddit
I hit potholes like it's my job. You're doing fine. If you start losing pressure in a few days you may have bent a rim, but I only do that every year or two.
Level-Bad8260@reddit
Hahaha. Yep, in my town the instant you lose concentration on scanning for potholes, you slam into one. Every time, without fail. Reaching for a water bottle? BAM. Looking up for a second? BAM.
Level-Bad8260@reddit
Hahaha. Yep, in my town the instant you lose concentration on scanning for potholes, you slam into one. Every time, without fail. Reaching for a water bottle? BAM. Looking up for a second? BAM.
Cool-Bunch6645@reddit
The kind of practical real world experience we need right now. Thank you for your service
Level-Bad8260@reddit
Buy an early 2000's Toyota. Then when you hit a pothole, you can simply wonder whether you've hurt the poor pothole :)
Responsible-Fee9149@reddit
Hitting potholes is a skill issue, it's not like they spawn suddenly.
If you didn't see it early enough to dodge it, ask yourself why. Were you following the vehicle in front too closely such that when you saw it, you didn't have time to react? Were you over driving your visibility?
However, you did the right thing. It's better to replace a tire worst case scenario than to swerve too hard and lose control of the vehicle.
PurpleK00lA1d@reddit
Most likely you're fine.
Just give a visual look around the wheel - if you notice the rim is bent or cracked, that's an issue. Note that the tire can still hold air even if the wheel is a little damaged.
Give the tire a visual inspection for any bulges of rips.
I personally give a visual inspection of my control arms and tie rods and all that but I used to be a mechanic so that's just me being super picky. I've never once had an issue and I've some pot holes hard that I couldn't avoid and I have super stiff sport suspension. Shit sounded like my car was a write-off once.
As long as visually everything looks okay and your vehicle isn't suddenly pulling too hard to the left or right or any crazy vibrations, then you're fine.
idownvoteanimalpics@reddit
Tie rod
RZArecta91@reddit
If the tire isn't flat your probably good. The suspension is doing it's job.