Pot Holes Prevention

[YodaBird]

I want to know what I can do to reduce the damage pot holes can cause to a car ?

Better suspensions ?
Larger Tires
Better Shocks ?

Or a combined two ?

[atxsteve1]

Funny lol...

[Absolutely Red 12]

Originally Posted by YodaBird

I want to know what I can do to reduce the damage pot holes can cause to a car ?

Better suspensions ?
Larger Tires
Better Shocks ?

Or a combined two ?

Drive around them??

[why?]

That is nice to say, but not always possible in the real world. People usually expect you to go near the speed limit of roads, and in any type of traffic you might be able to see 10 feet in front of you. Even at only 40 mph, you won't get much time to react.

If your car is stock though, don't worry. Well worry about those wheels, because they bend easily.

The easiest way to help is get tires with lots of sidewall, and wheels that can handle a pounding. The rest of the car should be fine, unless the potholes are the size of the wheel, and with those you should just come to a total stop in the middle of the road and go around.

[YodaBird]

Any recommendations for tire with best side wall ?
What about shocks, wouldn't they help with pot holes, or only tires ?

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by why?

That is nice to say, but not always possible in the real world. People usually expect you to go near the speed limit of roads, and in any type of traffic you might be able to see 10 feet in front of you. Even at only 40 mph, you won't get much time to react.

If your car is stock though, don't worry. Well worry about those wheels, because they bend easily.

The easiest way to help is get tires with lots of sidewall, and wheels that can handle a pounding. The rest of the car should be fine, unless the potholes are the size of the wheel, and with those you should just come to a total stop in the middle of the road and go around.

In my experience, roads (in general) are in a lot better condition in CA than they are in MA. Let's say (just to aid in my point) that you and AR 12 have exactly the same level of driving skill. I think AR 12 would have a better chance of avoiding potholes on the roads of CA than you would avoiding potholes on the roads of MA....but admittedly, I haven't driven out on your peninsula.

[bronsin]

I know of nothing you can do to the car to reduce the effect of hitting potholes.

If your commute is potholy perhaps you can go another way?

Me Ive gone the same way to work for 34 years. So I know where the potholes are and position the car to miss them.

Same with driving around town.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I know of nothing you can do to the car to reduce the effect of hitting potholes.

If your commute is potholy perhaps you can go another way?

Me Ive gone the same way to work for 34 years. So I know where the potholes are and position the car to miss them.

Same with driving around town.

LOL. Sounds as if you could almost drive to work with your eyes closed!

[YodaBird]

I said what can I do to the car that can reduce pot hole damage, not how I can avoid pot holes

[jpmck03]

Originally Posted by YodaBird

I said what can I do to the car that can reduce pot hole damage, not how I can avoid pot holes

People answered your question:

Originally Posted by bronsin

I know of nothing you can do to the car to reduce the effect of hitting potholes...

Originally Posted by why?

...If your car is stock though, don't worry. Well worry about those wheels, because they bend easily.

The easiest way to help is get tires with lots of sidewall, and wheels that can handle a pounding. The rest of the car should be fine, unless the potholes are the size of the wheel, and with those you should just come to a total stop in the middle of the road and go around.

...and technically, avoiding them is something you can do to the car to reduce pot hole...

[screenprintr]

The only way we can avoid this is to work from home, lol.

[jayeh]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I know of nothing you can do to the car to reduce the effect of hitting potholes.

If your commute is potholy perhaps you can go another way?

Me Ive gone the same way to work for 34 years. So I know where the potholes are and position the car to miss them.

Same with driving around town.

You haven't been to Ontario. I hit a pot hole so deep my car bottomed out. The worst part was I was already absolutely crawling.

It gets even worse at night and when they are filled with water and you can't judge the depth of them.

I'm pretty sure I've swerved so hard I've only had 3 wheels on the ground more than a couple of times to avoid some massive potholes.

[YodaBird]

Originally Posted by jayeh

You haven't been to Ontario. I hit a pot hole so deep my car bottomed out. The worst part was I was already absolutely crawling.

It gets even worse at night and when they are filled with water and you can't judge the depth of them.

I'm pretty sure I've swerved so hard I've only had 3 wheels on the ground more than a couple of times to avoid some massive potholes.

Thank you :) What can be done about it, to reduce the damage, once again I ask

[jayeh]

Originally Posted by YodaBird

Thank you :) What can be done about it, to reduce the damage, once again I ask

Nothing afaik.

I've got snow tires on OEM steel wheels, instead of lug centric shitty multifit steel wheels. That will reduce the risk of things going wrong in that department.

Short of finding some kind of light truck tire that would fit a yaris I'm not sure there is anything that can be done mechanically.

The best thing to do is avoid the bad roads. I take a longer/slower route downtown since the most direct route is too damn rough.

[yarisugi]

Sell your Yaris, get an SUV.
Still can't beat the potholes in Florida.
Oh wait, those aren't potholes.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by YodaBird

Thank you :) What can be done about it, to reduce the damage, once again I ask

Stubborn isnt he?

[jpmck03]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Stubborn isnt he?

I know, right?
How many people have to say, "There's not much you can do, other than avoid them" in slightly different ways does it take?

Originally Posted by jayeh

Nothing afaik. ... I'm not sure there is anything that can be done mechanically.

The best thing to do is avoid the bad roads. I take a longer/slower route downtown since the most direct route is too damn rough.

Originally Posted by bronsin

I know of nothing you can do to the car to reduce the effect of hitting potholes.

If your commute is potholy perhaps you can go another way? ...

Originally Posted by why?

... If your car is stock though, don't worry. Well worry about those wheels, because they bend easily.

The easiest way to help is get tires with lots of sidewall, and wheels that can handle a pounding. ...

Let me add my $0.02:

Originally Posted by jpmck03

There's not much you can do about your suspension, tires, wheel, etc. to help you not damage your suspension from doing what it's supposed to do anyways. But, you can try to avoid potholes.

[why?]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

In my experience, roads (in general) are in a lot better condition in CA than they are in MA. Let's say (just to aid in my point) that you and AR 12 have exactly the same level of driving skill. I think AR 12 would have a better chance of avoiding potholes on the roads of CA than you would avoiding potholes on the roads of MA....but admittedly, I haven't driven out on your peninsula.

The roads are bad. Of course in winter every time it freezes new bumps and holes develop as well.

But seriously, sidewall. You put 60+ inches of sidewall and that should be enough cushioning to reduce impact a quite a bit. And good wheels. I have 14" forged wheels. In the 4 years I have owned them they have taken a pounding that would have destroyed more than a few stock wheels, and they are still perfect. I did destroy two stock wheels in the 2 years I drove the car before that as well.

As for other damage? You can't do anything but slow down and try and avoid them. I've hit my frame on the road because of a pothole before, can't really do anything except know the car should be able to take it.

There is no magic road flattener.