Will the car be damaged if it goes over a pothole without slowing down and makes a loud bang?
2 Answers
Going over a pothole without slowing down and making a loud bang will not necessarily damage the car. Here are specific details about what happens when a car goes over a pothole without slowing down: Potential harm: You can check whether the suspension is damaged by observing if there is any steering deviation, unusual noises while driving, or if the shock absorbers are leaking oil. If you are still concerned, it is advisable to have the car lifted for inspection if possible. Shock absorbers: The suspension system of a car absorbs most of the impact force when going over a pothole. After passing a pothole, besides inspecting the tires, which is essential, the car's suspension might also be affected. If the tires and rims show no obvious damage, it indicates that most of the energy and impact from the collision were absorbed by the suspension system.
Once when I was driving, I didn’t notice to slow down and drove straight over a pothole. Hearing a loud bang, I immediately worried if the car was damaged. Hitting a pothole at high speed creates a strong impact that can easily damage critical components: tires may burst or develop bulges, especially on the weaker sidewalls; wheel rims may deform or crack, leading to a bumpy ride; suspension systems like shock absorbers and springs could be damaged, causing the car to pull to one side or increase vibrations over time; underbody guards or exhaust pipes might also get bent, affecting safety. Ignoring these issues could lead to accumulated small problems, resulting in unstable driving or even more expensive repairs. I recommend pulling over to a safe spot as soon as possible to check the tires for any visible damage, then driving to a repair shop for a thorough inspection of the suspension and wheels. During regular maintenance, ask the technician to inspect the underbody’s crash protection design—preventive measures like these are much cheaper than post-damage repairs.
