If you’ve ever driven around Ottawa after a long winter, you’ve likely felt that dreaded thunk as your car hits a pothole. It’s almost a rite of passage for Canadian drivers. But while it might seem like just an annoying bump, those pesky craters on the road can do a whole lot more damage than you’d think.
At Auto Glass Ottawa, we’ve seen firsthand how potholes can affect not only your suspension and tires—but also your windshield and overall vehicle health.
Let’s break it down and talk about why it’s so important to deal with the aftermath of pothole damage promptly.
How Potholes Mess With Your Car’s Alignment and Suspension?
Potholes may look innocent, but they can mess up your car’s alignment like nobody’s business. When your wheels hit a deep pothole, the impact can throw off the alignment and wear down your suspension components. This makes your ride feel rough and can even cause your steering wheel to pull to one side.
If you’re noticing uneven tire wear, or if your car doesn’t handle quite like it used to, it’s time to get it checked out. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more serious problems down the line—and nobody wants to be stuck with a big repair bill because of a few bumps in the road.
Yes, Potholes Can Crack Your Windshield Too
Here’s something many drivers overlook: potholes can actually damage your windshield. How? It comes down to vibration and body stress. When your car hits a pothole, especially at higher speeds, the sudden jolt causes a lot of stress to travel through the body of the vehicle. That pressure can travel up through the frame and cause existing chips in your windshield to crack further—or even create new ones. Ignoring windshield chips can be risky, especially in a place like Ottawa where temperature swings are brutal. That small chip might seem harmless now, but one good pothole hit can turn it into a full-blown crack before you know it.
We’ve had several customers come in needing windshield repair in Ottawa after driving through rough patches of road. Sometimes, it starts as a tiny chip, but if you hit the right pothole the wrong way, it can spider into a full-on crack in seconds. And in this climate, with freezing and thawing temps, those cracks don’t stay small for long.
Pothole Damage Can Affect Your Auto Glass Seal
Even if your windshield doesn’t crack right away, the seal around the glass can weaken from repeated pothole impacts. This seal keeps moisture and debris out of your vehicle. Once it starts to loosen, you might notice water leaks when it rains or hear more wind noise than usual while driving.
It’s small stuff that adds up—and fast. A compromised seal can lead to foggy windows, electrical issues from water damage, and even rust forming around the frame. Trust us, you don’t want to let that go unchecked.
What to Watch Out for After Hitting a Pothole?
So what should you look for if you’ve recently hit a bad pothole? Here are some signs that it might be time to give us a shout:
- A sudden or growing crack in your windshield
- Vibrations or shuddering while driving
- Your car pulling to one side
- New noises from your suspension
- Wind noise or water leaks around your windshield
If any of these sound familiar, you might need a check-up—and maybe some windshield repair in Ottawa to get things back to normal.
Don’t Wait—Get It Fixed Before It Gets Worse
The longer you wait to deal with pothole damage, the more costly it can become. A quick fix today could save you from needing a full windshield replacement or extensive suspension work tomorrow. At Auto Glass Ottawa, we offer fast, professional service with a focus on quality and safety.
Give us a call at 613-234-9111 or book an appointment to talk about what’s going on with your vehicle. Whether it’s a chipped windshield or just some questions about how to handle pothole damage, we’re here to help.