It's a safe bet that anywhere you look on the roads, you are sure to find a pothole after this winter. 2020 was sure to end with a surprise, and the brutal winter entering 2021 was the icing on the cake for many! With record-breaking snow in some areas resulting in an unprecedented number of potholes appearing on roads and highways across the country, causing considerable damage and unexpected, costly car owners' repairs.

Drivers know as soon as they hit a pothole that some damage level has occurred to their vehicle. Most drivers will check their tires and wheels visually. Still, potholes can also cause considerable damage to the steering, suspension, and alignment systems that you can't see. When you hit a rough pothole, it's best to give us a call to get an inspection of your vehicle scheduled.

If you hit a pothole while driving, we would like to remind you to watch for the following warning signs and have your vehicle inspected by a professional technician without delay.

• Experiencing the loss of control or swaying when making regular turns or bouncing excessively on rough roads indicates that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are critical safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car's ride and handling. Key components are shocks and struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units, and tie rod ends.
• Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean there's an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is essential for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.

For more information please call USA Automotive at (773) 238-1333 .