Motoring is tough enough without worrying about the state of the roads. Springtime means many things – the days become longer, flowers begin to bloom, and the holes appear overnight, which is bad news for motorists. One jolt from hitting an invisible hole can seriously affect the way your vehicle handles and hitting them over a period of time will really take its toll on your tyres, suspension and alignment.

Even if you see one in time and manage to mostly avoid it, or you hit head on, it can still cause damage to your vehicle. There are two factors that affect the degree of damage possible – the speed you are travelling and how deep the hole is.

Some of the damage will be immediately obvious, such as a bent tyre, but other times the damage will be less clear. Over time, you may see a change in the handling, as it becomes bumpier or looser than usual.

Tyre Damage

The first concern when hitting the hole is tyre damage. Damage can result in wear and tear holes becoming evenly distributed throughout the tyre and even produce bent rims. Rim damage means damage between the rim and the tyre, causing air to leak and the tyre to go flat. Ideally, tarmac should always be smooth and if you need Tarmac Bristol, visit a site like https://www.thornburysurfacing.co.uk/

Suspension

The suspension’s responsibility is to support the vehicle’s weight, absorb shock and keep the tyres in constant contact with the road. When you hit a hole, the shock is transferred to the elements that make up the suspension system, such as springs and shock absorbers. Persistent jerking caused by the holes will speed up the wear on the suspension and reduce its performance.