Why Potholes Peak in Spring
The freeze-thaw cycle of winter creates potholes. Water seeps into small cracks in the pavement, freezes, and expands. When it thaws, it leaves a void beneath the road surface. Traffic then breaks through the weakened pavement, creating a pothole. By spring, months of freeze-thaw cycles have produced a fresh crop of road hazards. Some are small and annoying; others are deep enough to destroy a tire and bend a wheel in a single impact.
How Potholes Damage Tires
When your tire slams into a pothole, the impact compresses the tire between the sharp edge of the pothole and the rigid wheel rim. This pinches the tire's internal structure — the layers of rubber, fabric, and steel that give the tire its strength. The damage can manifest in several ways.
Sidewall Bulges
The most common pothole-related tire damage is a sidewall bulge. The impact breaks the internal cord structure, and the tire's air pressure pushes the rubber outward at the weakened point, creating a visible bubble. A tire with a sidewall bulge must be replaced immediately — the bulge can rupture at any time, especially at highway speed.
Tread Separation
Severe impacts can break the bond between the tire's tread layer and the underlying belts. This may not be immediately visible but can cause the tread to separate from the tire at speed — a catastrophic failure. If you notice a new vibration or wobble after hitting a pothole, have the tire inspected from the inside.
Pinch Cuts
A pinch cut occurs when the sidewall is squeezed so hard against the wheel rim that it splits. This usually causes an immediate flat tire at the point of impact. Pinch cuts cannot be repaired because the structural damage extends well beyond the visible cut.
How to Minimize Pothole Damage
The best strategy is avoidance. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and scan for potholes. Be especially vigilant on roads you don't normally travel and on secondary roads that receive less maintenance. When you spot a pothole, check your mirrors and change lanes if it's safe to do so.
When You Can't Avoid It
If you can't safely swerve around a pothole, the best response is to slow down as much as possible before impact. Release the brakes just before you hit the pothole — braking during impact transfers more weight to the front and increases the force on the tire. Allow the suspension to absorb the impact rather than fighting it with locked brakes.
Post-Impact Inspection
After hitting a significant pothole, stop when it's safe and inspect all four tires. Look for bulges, cuts, and low pressure. Check the wheel rims for bends and cracks. Drive slowly and pay attention to any new vibrations, pulling, or steering irregularities. If anything feels different, have the vehicle inspected at a tire shop before resuming normal driving.
Proper Inflation as Protection
Properly inflated tires are more resistant to pothole damage than underinflated tires. An underinflated tire has less air cushion between the road and the rim, making pinch damage more likely. Maintain your tires at the recommended pressure, especially during pothole season. When potholes do take a tire, Ship.Tires makes finding a replacement fast and affordable — search by size, compare prices, and get new tires shipped to your installer.