Potholes can be jarring for any driver, but they can also do serious damage to your car and your wallet. And, Consumer Reports says those pothole repairs are costing more than ever before.
More than 3 million drivers experience pothole-related damage to their cars each year -- everything from tires and rims to shocks and struts -- costing more than $3 billion.
“Sometimes you can’t avoid a pothole until it’s too late,” warned Consumer Reports Tire Expert Ryan Pszczolkowski.
So, when you have to drive through a pothole, Pszczolkowski offers this advice:
- Slow down as much as possible without catching the driver behind you off guard.
- Hold the wheel firmly.
- Drive through the pothole.
- If something feels amiss, safely pull over and inspect the tires.
Pszczolkowski says if you find any cuts, blisters and bubbles during your tire inspection, it’s important to replace the damaged tire right away because driving on it could lead to a potentially dangerous situation like a blowout.
MORE: Consumer Reports’ Pothole Survival Guide
Consumer Reports says a new trend in tires could be leading to more pothole damage, meaning more repairs for car owners.
“While low profile tires can give you some performance gain in steering fields and cornering grip, they are more prone to pothole damage,” said Pszczolkowski.
In Consumer Reports testing, the 16-inch tire’s taller sidewall offered a greater margin of clearance between the road and wheel, and less severe sidewall flex than the lower profile 18-inch tire.
If the potholes in your life are unavoidable, when it’s time to buy a new car or SUV, Consumer Reports recommends you consider a package that comes with taller sidewall tires. Also, ask your retailer about a tire road hazard warranty, which some may add for free.
Consumer Reports says without buying new tires, you can still help prevent pothole damage by keeping your tires properly inflated and making sure you have adequate tread depth. If you are unsure about the tread on your tires, you can check with a penny by following these steps:
- With Abraham Lincoln’s head going in first, place the penny between the tread grooves.
- If you see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is shallow.
- Check several grooves the same way.
- If you keep seeing the top of Lincoln’s head, your tire likely needs replacement.
Watch Consumer Reports’ video on how both a quarter and a penny can help you check your tire tread: