How much speed can a car withstand when going over a pothole?
2 Answers
Driving over potholes at high speed can cause damage to the car. Here are the relevant details: 1. Impact on tires and rims: High-speed pothole impacts can easily cause tire bulging, deformation, or damage, and in severe cases, may even lead to tire blowouts or rim damage. 2. Impact on brake bearings: The instantaneous shock from high-speed pothole impacts may cause irreversible damage to the bearings inside the brakes, leading to wheel looseness and regular abnormal noises during subsequent driving. 3. Impact on the body and electrical system: Severe vibrations can also cause varying degrees of body deformation, cracking or loosening of interior and exterior trims, and deformation of electronic circuit boards and connectors inside the car, resulting in open circuits, poor connections, or short circuits.
Last time I was in a hurry driving my compact car and hit a pothole at 50 km/h, which immediately caused a tire blowout, wheel rim deformation, and even damaged suspension components, costing over a thousand yuan in repairs. When I later asked the mechanic, he said that speed was too high—there's no fixed threshold for a car's ability to handle potholes, as it largely depends on the pothole's size, depth, and the vehicle itself. Small cars with softer suspensions can sustain damage even at around 30 km/h, while SUVs with higher ground clearance might handle 40 km/h. However, for any vehicle, exceeding 30 km/h multiplies the impact force, risking damage to shock absorbers, control arms, or even the chassis. The safe driving advice is to slow down to under 20 km/h, hold the steering steady, and avoid slamming the brakes. Stay vigilant about road conditions to prevent high-speed hits on unseen potholes at night. Regular checks of tires and suspension can also prevent accidents, saving money and ensuring peace of mind.
