Potholes are the bane of most drivers’ existences. Not only can it be a jolting experience to run through one of them, but potholes can also damage your car. There are few things more frustrating than breaking something because you weren’t paying attention enough to swerve.
What specifically goes wrong will depend on the depth of the hole, the speed of the car, and the specific model. Most of the time, there’s nothing to worry about. When factors are unfavourable, though, some pretty serious damage can result from a pothole.
Curious about the kinds of pothole-related problems you might see in your auto mechanic career? Here’s a taste of what you can expect.
1. Pros in Auto Mechanic Careers Often See Potholes Cause Wheel Rim Damage
Generally speaking, properly inflated tires do a good enough job of absorbing shock from potholes, making sure that no damage will result from running through one. If tires are underinflated, or a pothole is exceptionally bad, one of the more likely issues that can arise is that the wheel rims might be damaged. This kind of problem can result in poorer handling while driving, and can also decrease fuel efficiency.
Car mechanics are able to bend minor rim dents and deformities back into shape with little trouble. For more serious issues, which can include full-on cracks and breaks in the rims, you’ll likely find replacing the rim is the only good choice. This can cost anywhere from around $50 to hundreds of dollars per rim.
2. Repeated Stress Caused by Potholes Can Damage a Car’s Suspension
Car suspensions are designed to help with just the sort of jarring up-and-down motion a pothole causes, but repeated stress can cause a car’s suspension to wear down. In your auto mechanic career, you can expect to see cars burn through their shock absorbers more quickly, and even become misaligned, if they go over many potholes regularly.
This problem won’t be especially difficult for you to solve, though certain cars and certain conditions may take more time to fix. Depending on the number and kind of shock absorbers that need replacing, a repair bill can be anywhere from around $100 to over $1,800.
3. You Might See Pothole-Damaged Exhaust Pipes During Your Auto Mechanic Career
If a pothole is deep enough, a car can dip so low that it scrapes its undercarriage on the road. This can damage a number of components, including the exhaust pipe.
After auto mechanic training school, you might see exhaust damage manifest in a number of ways. The exhaust might be quite a bit louder than normal, and may exhibit new clicking or tapping noises. Serious breaks or punctures might even lead to fumes wafting into the cabin of the car, which is unpleasant and can cause health issues. Sometimes, the exhaust may become dislodged, and will hang or drag underneath the car.
When tasked with repairing or replacing an exhaust in your future career, expect to charge customers anywhere from $150 to over $2,000, depending on the cost of parts and labour.
Most encounters with potholes don’t result in damage, but the ones that do can be dangerous and costly to repair. When working as a mechanic, be sure to give vehicles a good look if you’re told they have had a bad encounter with a pothole.
Do you want to get started with car mechanics training?
Contact CATI today and find out how to enroll.
