We All Know Nigerian Roads Are Bad, But Your Car Might Be The Problem, Here is Why

A car that has been tuned and maintained properly will readily pass over bumps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces. Your car might, however, occasionally have trouble travelling smoothly on particular roads.

This could be considerably more than simply an annoyance if your automobile has started to rattle as you drive over speed bumps, potholes, or bumps along dirt roads. You should bring your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as possible if it is not riding smoothly because this could indicate a much more serious mechanical problem.

What are some possible causes of your car’s unpleasant ride? Now let’s look at the top X factors contributing to this problem.

• Tire issues

The primary source of car vibration and a “rough ride” is actually tire problems. Tires are frequently disregarded when discussing a comfortable ride. There are several potential offenders:

Tires need to be balanced and rotated; if your steering wheel is vibrating, this is probably the reason why your ride is rough. If your tires have not recently been balanced and rotated, they could be wearing unevenly and could be causing your car to pull to one side or bounce when it crosses obstacles.

Uneven tire wear is the cause. If your tires are worn unevenly, your ride won’t be comfortable. Tire rotations every six months are the most effective way to stop this. Low tire pressure can cause tires to feel “slushy” and unresponsive, while high tire pressure can make even smaller bumps feel like gigantic potholes or speed bumps. Both low and high tire pressure can cause premature wear and warping of your tires.

Know the signs of a bad alignment. Sometimes an alignment problem can be difficult to detect. Usually, you can feel the car pull to one side as you accelerate, and it will drift while cruising or coasting. If the steering wheel turns to one side and feels like it’s fighting you, the alignment should be checked. One sure sign of bad alignment is uneven tire wear on the front tires. Excessive wear or baldness on the inside or outside of either tire is an indication that the alignment is off.

• Transmission Problems

The suspension keeps your tires in contact with the pavement by absorbing the majority of the impact from road obstructions. Another frequent reason for a “rough ride” is suspension problems.

Typical warning signs of suspension problems include any car substantially leaning to one side, After passing over a pothole or bump, you repeatedly bob up and down, When driving over a bump, you feel “jolted” When your vehicle is parked, you can see red fluid below it.

Your suspension’s springs and suspension bars may sustain damage over time. This is particularly typical if you travel over tough terrain, such as on dirt roads or over significant obstacles, which is very typical in Nigeria. You’ll probably require an expert evaluation and repair.

Many people simply don’t know they have a transmission problem, even as it occurs. They might notice an occasional thump or hard shift, maybe a passing vibration. But once the transmission really starts to fail, the signs are unmistakable. Leaking fluid, hard shifts, loss of power, lots of vibrating, whining, grinding, and other noises will become regular operating features of the car.

• Misfiring Engine

Sometimes, vibrations can actually come from the engine. This is usually because there is not the proper oxygen-fuel mix in the engine or the spark plugs are failing. If you feel excessive vibrations when accelerating or travelling at a specific speed, this may be the cause.

Usually, this is not a huge problem, and it can be fixed with some basic steps like fuel injector maintenance and spark plug replacement. Still, it’s important to get your car repaired as soon as you notice these issues to prevent further damage.

• Damaged or bent axles

The long central shaft, known as the axle, transmits power from the transmission to your wheels. Driving over significant obstructions, such as unintentionally driving over a curb or hitting potholes and speed bumps at a fast speed, can harm an axle.

Your car can start to wobble if an axle develops a tiny bend since the tires won’t spin in a straight line. If you have axle issues, vibrations and a “rumbling” sensation are typical—even at moderate speeds.

A substantial bend may necessitate the complete replacement of your axle, which can be rather expensive, though some axles can be bent back into shape.

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The potholes and bad roads in Nigeria may not be the real problem, but your car’s ride is very bad, and most times your car is the issue. That is why you need to know the reasons for this so you can pay your mechanic to fix the issue.