Car Cleaning Hacks: Use Items Lying Around Your House To Make Your Car Shine
There's nothing that devalues a car more than a dirty exterior and interior. Even a 1998 Toyota Corolla can look top-of-the-line with a little bit of elbow grease. Since most cleaning products are still low in stock though, you might need to improvise. Luckily, we've collected some handy tips and tricks on how to buff, shine, and make the inside and outside of your car sparkle.
You might have heard of a few of these cleaning hacks but we bet you never thought to use toothpaste or hair conditioner! Follow these tips to get your vehicle looking and smelling brand new.
Use Cooking Spray For Bumper Bugs
Don't have a dryer cloth handy for bumper bugs? Here's another option. Spray your bumper with cooking spray, preferably Pam. Take a soft cloth and wipe the bugs away. It works great after you've driven through a cloud of gnats!
It's also less damaging to your paint than a dryer wiper, even if you need to use a little extra force. Just make sure you're using an extra soft rag to wipe the greasy away!
Clay Bars Leave Your Car's Body Clean And Shiny
This one made us do a double take, but we promise it's becoming common practice. Apparently, you can use clay to clean-up and shine the body of your car. The reason is that clay works to pick up any gunk on your car's body.
We looked up how much car clay would cost you, too. The lowest price we could find was $15, which doesn't sound too bad to us if your car looks fresh off the lot for the first time in years.
Paint Brushes Are Great For Your Vents
Paint brushes aren't just for art and walls. If you have dust blowing into your car from your air vents, try using a small paintbrush to clean them out. They're cheap to buy at your local hardware store and could end up being a real lifesaver.
The bottom line is dust is bad for you. Especially if you have allergies. This may just seem like a simple hack, but it's also important for your health. And did we mention they're cheap?
Rubbing Alcohol Gets Rid Of Wiper Streaks
Are your windshield wipers streaking after you replaced your old ones? Try cleaning your shiny new set with rubbing alcohol. Pop your wipers back in and enjoy your new streak-free, clean windshield.
This is a great tip if you live in a drier region where wipers tend to go bad more quickly from drying out. By doing this you might be able to extend the life of your wipers and save a little money in the long run.
Rustoleum? Have You Ever Tried Soda?
Looking for a healthy way to use soda? Aside from being a tasty and refreshing beverage, the sugar-filled drink is also great for removing rust from cars. It works so well because of how much acid is hiding in your carbonated beverage.
To take advantage of cola's rust-destroying properties, put some in a spray bottle and get to work on the affected part of your vehicle. Afterward, maybe reconsider how much soda is in your daily diet.
Have You Ever Tried Steel Wool On Your Windshield?
This one sounds like we're jumping the shark, but we promise we're not! Steel wool is actually one of the best windshield cleaners you can use. The reason? Your windshield isn't as weak as you think.
Imagine everything your windshield has to protect you from. When gravel hits your car, your window would shatter if it wasn't heavy duty. Basically, if you have some grime on your window and no idea how to get rid of it, try steel wool.
WD-40 Will Clean Your Stickers Right Off!
Tired of seeing your 2016 "vote for" sticker on your bumper in 2020? Try using WD-40 to get those pesky stickers off with perfect results. Otherwise, be prepared to peel paint away with the sticker thanks to the adhesive they use.
To make this hack work, just spray the outdated bumper sticker with WD-40 and let it soak in. Be patient, wait, and let the magic happen. Once the miracle solution has soaked through the sticker and its glue, peel it back and smile.
Nail Polish Will Save Your Windshield
You never know when a small rock will pop up on the road and crack your windshield. If you don't get the small crack fixed, it will grow and become a real danger to you.
One thing you can do to buy time before getting to an autoshop is to fill the crack with clear nail polish. Once dry, the crack will stop spreading. It won't make the crack go away, though. You'll still need to get it fixed, just with less stress.
Vaseline Is Like Magic
Vaseline isn't just for moisturizing dry skin. When your leather or vinyl car seats begin cracking, dab some Vaseline on a cloth and rub it down. It won't fix the cracks, but it will help prevent further cracking.
It's great for cold weather too. Tired of waking up on a snowy morning to realize your door seals are frozen shut? Rub some Vaseline on the rubber seals to prevent this annoying problem.
Try Washing Your Car With Hair Conditioner To Get Extra Shine
Another way to avoid taking your car to an overpriced car detail shop is to wash it yourself with hair conditioner. Hear us out on this one. Buy conditioner with lanolin it and apply it to your vehicle.
Use a circular buffing motion to apply it to your vehicle's body until all you see is shiny paint. Jealous of how shiny your car looks? Take a shower, apply conditioner, and then go out for a night on the town to show off all your shine!
Always Hand Dry Your Car
Unless you love streaks all over your car, always dry it by hand. Water leaves streaks, which is why air drying your car never works right. Driving your car around the block to help it dry only makes the streaks worse, too.
The best thing you can do to make sure you never get water streaks left on your car is to hand dry it. Every time. Don't trust a drive-through car wash either. Once you're out, pull over and dry the car yourself for best results.
Don't Forget The Toothpaste For Your Headlights
While you're out buying cotton swabs for your car, you might as well buy some toothpaste as well. It's a great cleaning solution to clear up the fog on your headlights, and it'll save you money by avoiding the mechanic.
Some mechanics will charge up to $1,000 to clean your lights. A tube of toothpaste will cost you less than $10! It's easy to do, too; scrub toothpaste on the lens of the light, rinse it off, and dry it. The results will speak for themselves.
Squeegee Your Seats To Remove Dog Hair
This one only applies to pet owners or excessively hairy individuals. If there is noticeable shedding on your seats, a vacuum is useless. What you need is a squeegee and a water bottle.
If you don't believe us, try it yourself. Fill a spray bottle with some water and bring it to your car with a squeegee. Spray the affected area and squeegee the problem away. We promise you won't be disappointed with the results.
Newspapers Are Actually Great Window Cleaners
This is the perfect hack if it feels like you have the worst luck possible with dirty windows. Take an old newspaper and crumple it up. Then take regular window cleaner and spray your car's window with it.
Now use your newspaper ball to wipe away the washer fluid. Your windows will look good as new afterward. It might sound silly to replace a normal cloth with a newspaper but it makes a big difference! Just be warned, if you have tinted windows do some more research to see if your tint can handle it.
Use White Vinegar To Clean The Inside Of Your Windows
Just because you clean the outside of your windows, that doesn't mean your windows are clean. You still have to clean the inside to keep your vision perfect. Luckily, it's much easier to clean the inside of your windows than the outside.
Take a cloth and dip it into a mixture of white vinegar, dish soap, and warm water. Then wipe your windshield. NOW it's clean. Time to go on a drive and get it dirty again!
Olive Oil Is A Natural Buffer
Looking for an easy way to make the leather on your dashboard look good as new? It's time to start using olive oil. It doesn't take a lot and it will shine things back up perfectly. It also lasts a while.
You can use olive oil to help buff your seats as well. Then, with whatever is left over in the bottle, make an Italian feast as a reward. You've earned that spicy meatball!
Make Your Own Interior Cleaner Using Soda
If you want to save some money on car cleaning supplies, here's a recipe to create your own solution: one cup of distilled vinegar, one cup of club soda, and half a cup of dish soap.
Take the mixture and put in a spray bottle. Spray the affected areas of your car and let it soak in and dry. In just a few hours you'll notice a big difference. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Detail On The Go With Q-Tips
We bet you've never thought about using q-tips or other cotton swabs to detail your car. The tiny cotton headed swabs are perfect for creeping into small crevices and picking up gunk. And they come in packs of hundreds!
The best part of q-tips, however, is that they can be stored anywhere. Leave some in your cup holder and side storage compartment for an easy way to detail on the go! It's the smart thing to do.
Clean And Replace Your Filters
When your vents are clean but your car still smells, it's time to clean or replace your filters. This is a common sense cleaning hack that's easy to forget until you get your oil changed. When you get your oil changed, they'll show you how gross they've become to get extra money out of you.
Now that you know, you can clean or replace the filters yourself and use the money you save to buy yourself a nice dinner.
Baby Wipes For Windows? Yes!
Apparently, this is a big hack in the military. Always carry a box of baby wipes in your car with you. Not only are they a quick way to clean up accidental messes but they work wonders on your windows!
If you're taking a long drive and your windows are getting caked up, pull over and use a baby wipe. It works just as well as wiper fluid and can be used on every window on your car, not just the windshield.
Make Your Own Washer Fluid
If you drive in miserable weather and need to keep your view clean, then you need to start making your own wiper fluid. Rather than take a chance that you have enough before you buy more, simply mix three cups of grain alcohol with four cups of water and two teaspoons of dishwashing detergent.
Throw the mix in your trunk for emergencies and never lose sight of the road in front of you again. We also recommend changing your wipers regularly if you live in an area where you use them a lot. Don't be like the guy above.
Dryer Wipes Will Solve Your Bug Problems
One of the most annoying things about long distance driving is how many "bumper bugs" you pick up along the way. Crushed and crusted into your bumper, we've discovered that using a dryer wipe to clean them off works like a charm.
Take your dryer sheet, damp it with water, and gently rub the bugs away from your bumper. For those bugs that are super stuck on there, you can scratch a little harder, just be careful of your paint job while you do!
Protect Your Car From Salt Damage With Vinegar
If you live in an area where there's snow and the road freezes, this is a must-try hack. During extreme weather, your city salts the road. This makes sure the water on the gravel doesn't freeze and the snow melts right away.
Unfortunately, it also means salt gets all over your car and damages it. To prevent this, spray vinegar underneath your car. It acts as a deterrent and washes unwanted salt away, keeping your car in good condition.
Use Silicon Gel On Air Vents
Earlier we showed you how to clean your air vents with foam brushes and other tools. When you don't have time for multiple tools, trying using silicon gel to cut out the middleman.
By using this gel-like Silly Putty, you're able to pick up all kinds of gross dust and grime from those hard-to-reach places in your car. You can use the gel for vent, window control buttons, or any similar area that is building up dirt.
Baking Soda Gets Rid Of Lingering Smells
At some point in the ownership of your car, it's going to smell. Unfortunately, you can't just remove all the fabric and wash it like you would your clothes. You can, however, use baking soda to attack and eliminate those friendship-ending smells.
Dust your seats with baking soda, then let it sit for a while. Patience is key for this one. Baking soda is incredibly absorbent, so don't be afraid to let it do its job. After a few hours, grab a vacuum, suck up the baking soda, and take a big whiff.
A Screwdriver And A Cloth Are A Car's Best Friend
No matter how hard you try, some places in your car just seem impossible to reach. We're here to tell you not to give up. Take a small screwdriver, cover it with a thin cloth, and experience the joy of having the cleanest car in the neighborhood.
It might take some time to get used to this tactic of cleaning on your car, but it's definitely worth it. New car, who this?
Put Sheets Under Your Child's Car Seat
As parents know, kids make messes in cars, dropping all sorts of "goodies" from their car seats. (Good luck finding everything in every crack.) The chances of that are poor at best.
To fix this, simply put a sheet under the car seats. Now when you get back from your road trip, you don't have to worry about cleaning your car. Just pop your dirty sheets in the washer and take a nap- if the kids will let you.
Magic Erasers Are Magic For Your Interior
This is a great hack if you have leather or vinyl seats in your car. If they're looking extra gross, grab a magic eraser and scrub the gunk away. Watch with pleasure as all the coffee stains and other spills disappear.
We don't want to make any guarantees, but magic erasers are so powerful, your car might just look brand new. Used more commonly as a household cleaning supply, magic erasers are cheap and can be found at any store.
Use A Vacuum To Pick Up Dust From The Floor
Let's say you've made it to the point where a paintbrush or a q-tip has successfully removed the dust from your vents. What comes next? Grab a handheld vacuum and get rid of the dust for good!
To kill two birds with one stone, hold a vacuum extension up to the vent when cleaning to avoid extra work. You probably already have a vacuum with extension pieces in your closet, so put them to good use.
Use Cupcake Molds In Cup Holders
Do you clean out your cup holders? It's okay, we don't either. That's why this hack is so amazing. Instead of cleaning out your cup holders, put cupcake molds in them. Then, when you need to clean it up, the take out and wash the holder.
Pretty genius, right? You can also use disposable cupcake molds if don't want to deal with dirty dishes. Just keep them stashed in your car for when you need them.
Never Doubt The Power Of Compressed Air!
Do you have a can of compressed air sitting near your keyboard to help keep dust out? If you notice your car vents are coughing out a lot of dust, try using the compressed air there, too. It's a great way to blow the problem away!
After blowing the dust away, grab a baby wipe or handheld vacuum for a deeper clean. There's no reason to give the dust a new address when you can kick it out of town for good.
Use A Toothbrush For Detailing
You don't need to pay someone or buy a fancy kit to detail your car. If you have a toothbrush (that you don't brush your teeth with) then you're all set.
You won't believe how perfectly the bristles fit into small crevices for the perfect clean! Like the paintbrushes we mentioned earlier, you won't break the bank buying a new toothbrush either. Let's be honest, you don't need to buy a Sonic Care for your car, you just want to.
This Is The Story Of A Travel Cup, An Old Sock, And Windex
If you don't feel like using cupcake molds to keep your cup holders clean, we have another quick fix for you. Take an old sock and put it over a travel cup. Did you do that? Now spray the sock with Windex or whatever cleaner you might have sitting around.
Rub the contraption all around your cup holder until you're satisfied. Then clean the cup so you can use it. Probably throw out the old sock, though.
Essential Oils Make A Great Air Freshener
You've tried baking soda and traditional air fresheners, but your car refuses to get rid of that last sneaky scent. What do you do? We suggest trying essential oils. If you take a clothespin, wet it with the oils, then stick it in your vent, your nose will be in heaven.
The best part is, if you already have essential oils laying around (they have become very trendy), it's a relatively cheap alternative to those weird hanging trees that don't actually smell like pine.
Have You Ever Thought About Putting A Trash Can In Your Car?
If you leave a lot of food wrappers and other trash in your car, then you should strongly consider buying a small trash bin. You can discreetly put the small bin away from where people might sit.
Just make sure to keep it within arm's reach. The point of the trash bin is to break one bad habit, not create two. And make sure to buy bags for your new car trash can for easy disposal.
Scented Wax Adds An Air Of Sophistication To Any Car
Essential oils aren't your thing? If you still want your car to small amazing but don't want pine scent, try taking the wax from favorite candle and letting it slowly melt in your car.
Take a large chunk from the candle and put it in a jar. Poke holes in the top of the lid so the scent can escape. As your car naturally heats up, the candle will begin to melt, releasing it's beautiful scents into the world.
Use A Hot Iron For A Sticky Mess
Cars get hot. That's just the way life is. On extra hot days, anything in your car that can melt, will melt. You know the phrase "it's so hot you could cook an egg?" You could also melt a gummy bear.
When something melts and gets stuck, try placing a thick piece of paper over it and hold it down with a hot iron for about 30 seconds. When you pull up the iron, all the slime should be soaked up by the paper and out of your upholstery.
Scrub Dirty Vinyl With A Toothbrush
Another cool trick to help clean the vinyl in your car is to use a toothbrush. Make sure to get the affected area wet with a magic eraser first, though! Once you've prepared the area, scrub away.
You'll be surprised how quickly and effectively this gets rid of the stains and the gunk from your interior. It's not hard to make your old car look brand new again, just a little elbow grease and a toothbrush!
Toss Your Floor Mats In The Washer!
There's no way around it. Unless you obsessively clean your car's floor mats, they are filthy. Luckily, it's very easy to clean them. Take them out of your car, spray them with stain remover and toss them in the washer.
When they're out of the washer, DO NOT put them in the dryer. We repeat, DO NOT put them in the dryer. Lay them out, let them dry, and bask in the glory of having clean floor mats again.
Get A Deep Clean With Baking Soda And Vinegar
If you want to get a deeper clean on your upholstery and dry baking soda isn't doing the job, mix it with vinegar to create a paste. Rub the paste into your upholstery and then rinse it out.
You'll be shocked how much dirt is hiding underneath the surface of your seats! Not only will this clean your car, but the baking soda will also work to get rid of any unwanted smells you've been dealing with.
Not Using The Handbrake in Park
If you simply leave your automatic car in park or a manual one engaged in gear, you could cause damage to the car's transmission. Not using the handbrake when your car is parked on a hill adds a lot of stress to the vehicle’s transmission.
Note that applying the handbrake, also referred to as the e-brake or the emergency brake in some cars, is not necessary when parked on a level surface. Moreover, the brake rotors might be damaged if the handbrake is applied when the brakes are hot.
Shifting To Drive While The Car Is Moving Backward
Many drivers, especially impatient ones, are guilty of doing this. Perhaps you were quickly trying to leave a parking spot and be on your way. Either way, shifting a car to Drive while the vehicle is still rolling backward can cause major damage to the drivetrain.
Every time a car shifts from Park to Drive, it should be completely stopped. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to replace the transmission of your vehicle a lot sooner than you would expect.
Smoking In Your Car
Cars that have been smoked in are very easy to identify. As soon as you enter the cabin, you will be able to determine whether the driver is a smoker or not. The smell of smoke is nearly impossible to get rid of, especially on leather surfaces around the cabin of a car.
If you've been smoking in your car, you might have a hard time selling it. Most non-smokers will be disgusted by the smell. Not to mention the possible cigarette burns around the cabin that are likely to appear in cars owned by smokers.
Using Hot Water to Defrost The Windshield
Pouring a glass of hot water on an ice-cold windshield may seem like a great life hack at first. After all, this "trick" is still surprisingly common. Any driver who knows a thing or two about science will quickly question this seemingly helpful solution.
Pouring hot water on a cold piece of glass, such as a windshield, can cause it to shatter completely. While it may be a spectacular sight to see on a cold morning, it is certainly not something you'd be happy to see. Scraping the window, although more time-consuming, is undoubtedly safer.
Not Washing It Enough
How often do you take your car to the car wash? Some drivers may be surprised to hear that a dirty car is more than just an unpleasant sight. Washing your car removes any toxic chemicals that may be causing corrosion to the bottom of your vehicle.
Frequently washing your car is an absolute must, especially during the winter. In winter, many roads are covered in salt, which can stick to the undercarriage of your car and cause it to rust. Most automated car washes are equipped with sprayers for the car's undercarriage to ensure it stays clean.
Driving With Little to No Fuel
Contrary to popular belief, driving with a fuel tank that's nearly empty is not a good idea. According to a common car myth, it allows the particles built up on the bottom of the fuel tank to clear out via the fuel injector. Once again, this could not be further from the truth.
Driving with an empty fuel tank can actually damage the fuel pump in your vehicle, which relies on gas to be cooled and properly lubricated. What’s more, the supposed particles that will clear out of the tank are actually kept in there by the fuel filter.
Pumping The Wrong Type of Fuel
Sure, using premium fuel in a car that does not require it will only hurt your wallet. It won't improve the performance of your vehicle, but it will not hurt it either.
On the other hand, you may damage your vehicle if you pump regular fuel if the engine is tuned strictly for high-octane petrol. Of course, pumping diesel in a gasoline-powered car won’t have any positive effects either. If you’ve filled up your gas-powered car with diesel, call a tow truck immediately. Do not attempt to turn on the engine, as it could cause irreversible damage.
Ignoring Leaks
While an illuminated check engine light may not always be caused by a major issue, colorful stains under your car can indicate a serious problem with one of its components. If you see any colorful fluids under your car, consider a trip to the mechanic.
Don't forget that leaks are a sign of malfunctioning car components. It could be something as little as a broken line, but it’s best to get it checked out as soon as possible. Otherwise, ignoring leaks might lead to bigger issues with the engine.
Only Driving It On Short Trips
Did you know that driving your car too much can be just as bad as letting it sit for months, if not worse? When going for a really short drive, you may be harming your vehicle. Driving your car for just a couple of minutes, only to shut the engine off before the components get a proper chance to warm up, could result in a hefty repair bill.
Pay attention to your short trips and ensure that your car gets enough time to warm up its components. A 2-minute drive every day could lead to some major damages after some time.
Coasting On Automatic
Switching an automatic transmission into Neutral when going downhill is a surprisingly common occurrence among drivers. According to this myth, an automatic vehicle rolling downhill in Neutral will improve the fuel economy. This could not be further from the truth.
In reality, switching to Neutral while driving means the engine can no longer be used to slow the vehicle down. What's more, modern cars will actually use less fuel in Drive when going down a hill. Popping the vehicle back to Drive while moving causes the transmission components to be out of sync for a fraction of a second, shortening their lifespan.
Using Water Instead of Coolant
When some drivers run out of coolant in the radiator, they refill it with tap or bottled water instead. While it may seem like a great trick that will save you some cash at first, it has to be done correctly in order to be effective.
It is true that you can mix regular water with coolant, but you should never just have water by itself in the radiator. What's more, the engine of your car can warm up a lot (especially during the summer) surpassing the boiling point of the water, resulting in possibly cracking the engine block in the worst case scenario.
Not Letting The Engine Warm Up
Warming up the engine before driving is crucial, particularly when it's cold outside. While the belief that letting the car idle before setting off is nothing more than a common car myth, you should allow the engine to warm up before going full throttle.
Note that driving the car will warm it up faster as opposed to letting it idle on the driveway. After setting off, it’s best not to drive at maximum throttle until the engine has warmed up to its standard operating temperature.
Forgetting To Check The Fluids
When was the last time you've checked the oil level in your vehicle? Most automotive experts recommend checking the engine oil level every time you fill the car up at the gas station. Your vehicle requires an array of different fluids to run correctly, such as transmission fluid or engine coolant. Low fluid levels can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your car.
While running out of washer fluid is nothing more than a mere inconvenience, forgetting to fill up engine oil can lead to costly damage to your vehicle. Don’t forget to check the fluids before driving next time.
Wrong Modifications
Car modifications are great. There are tons of aftermarket tuners that offer an arsenal of cosmetic enhancements to virtually any kind of car. While some custom modifications can improve the styling of your car, others can be way too overboard and can affect the value of the vehicle.
Some modifications can hurt more than just the value of the vehicle, or the eyes of onlookers. Adding too much negative camber to the suspension could result in quickly wearing out the tires, for example.
Neglecting Small Dents And Scratches
A small scratch on one of the doors of your car may not be the end of the world, yet it should eventually be taken care of. The same goes for minor dents. Keep in mind that the longer you wait, the worse the damage can get.
A neglected car will be harder to sell. Potential buyers avoid vehicles that are damaged. Not to mention losing the pride of ownership in your car when it is not taken care of.
Using The Wrong Type Of Oil
Fuel isn't the only liquid you have to look out for when maintaining your vehicle. There are tons of different types of engine oil, and it is absolutely essential to refill the car’s motor with the correct one. Pouring in the wrong type of engine oil can completely wreck the motor of the car, resulting in a long and expensive visit to your local workshop.
You can find the type of oil recommended for your engine in the owner’s manual. Be sure to get the same type when you’re getting the oil changed.
Not Paying Attention to Recalls
Automakers make mistakes. Typically, a car manufacturer will recall a certain vehicle model if there are any factory issues with it. This can include anything from concerns about exhaust fumes all the way to faulty airbags.
Ignoring a factory recall of your vehicle makes it nearly impossible to sell in the future. Car buyers often look at vehicle reports and are aware of any recalls to the particular model prior to buying it. At the end of the day, everyone wants to own a car that's safe to drive.
Ignoring Warning Lights
Warning lights, as the name suggests, are designed to warn you about potential issues with your vehicle. You should not ignore any warning light that comes on in your vehicle. While a check engine light can come on frequently in an older automobile, it should never be ignored. A check engine light can signal anything from insignificant problems such as a loose gas cap all the way up to engine misfires.
What's more, other warning lights such as a braking system error should be checked out as soon as possible. If any warning light comes on, it’s best to take care of it straight away.
Leaving It Outside… A Lot
Leaving your car outside is perfectly fine, as long as you do not overdo it. It is absolutely best if you have access to a garage where your car can safely be stored between each trip. Leaving your car outdoors for extended periods of time can potentially cause lots of issues.
A car left outdoors is exposed to all kinds of harsh weather conditions, such as snow or hail storms. What's more, the clear coat on top of your car’s paint can be damaged by tree sap. Not to mention the increased chances of theft or vandalism.
Skipping Wheel Alignment
Whenever you replace the tires on your car, the tire change should be followed by properly aligning the wheels. Otherwise, you might end up ruining your car. Misalignment can lead to a whole array of issues, such as uneven tire wear or even damaging the drivetrain of your car.
Don't forget that hitting potholes and curbs, or worn out suspension parts can potentially ruin the alignment of your wheels. It’s recommended to check the alignment of your wheels frequently before it’s too late.
Hitting Potholes
As obvious as it may seem, you should avoid potholes whenever it is possible. Contrary to popular belief, large cars such as SUVs can still be damaged by potholes. Driving over potholes, especially at high speeds, can result in anything from a popped tire up to irreversible damage to your car's suspension system.
It’s best to avoid roads with potholes altogether. As that is not always possible, you should at least slow down when you see a large pothole. Driving over a pothole at a lower speed will reduce the potential damage.
