When late autumn rolls through parts of Western Australia, we usually notice the cold air first. But there’s something else happening right under our tyres. Road surfaces that were already wearing thin in summer start showing new signs of strain as the weather turns. By early winter, potholes begin popping up on stretches that seemed fine just weeks ago.
This kind of timing can quietly take a toll on older builds. If you're running VB to VL models, your Holden Commodore rims might be more prone to bending from seemingly minor road hits. Much of the risk hides in plain sight. A shallow-looking dip can be enough to throw the rim shape off, especially on cars with older suspensions or tired wheel components. If something starts to feel off in your drive, or a slow tyre leak shows up, it’s worth having a closer look.
How Cold Weather Creates Potholes
Cold change doesn’t just affect how we drive. It changes the road itself.
- Each cold night pulls moisture into cracks from daytime rain or drizzle
- That trapped moisture expands slightly as temperatures fall, pushing the edges of the road apart
- After a few weeks, shallow cracks become wide-enough edges that buckle under morning traffic
What looks like a small crack mid-autumn often becomes a patchy dip by early winter. Then once a few cars hit it hard in the morning, the bitumen starts breaking up. Those uneven patches spread until they form full potholes. It happens faster on older rural or suburban roads, especially where drainage isn’t great.
If you’re heading out for early morning drives or weekend runs, it pays to watch for road patches that look darker or slightly sunken. They’re often hiding recent road damage from a stretch of colder nights.
Why Holden Commodore Rims Take a Hit
Not all cars show damage the same way, and early-model Commodores cop it a bit harder when it comes to rim strength.
- The VB to VL models are decades old, so we’re already dealing with metal fatigue in many of the original wheels
- These models often run stiffer setups or narrower tyres, which take less edge off sudden hits
- Suspension parts on older rides can sag or wear unevenly, pushing force through the rim during hard contact
All it takes is one pothole hit at the wrong angle. If your tyre pressure was a bit low or your outer edge caught the impact, you could bend a rim without feeling it too much at the time. The thing is, small rim bends don’t show up right away unless you know what to look for. The car will keep driving, but something will start to change in how it feels.
Our rim selection at Holdcom Auto Parts covers both restored and upgraded options for VB to VL Commodore builds, including wheel hardware and fitment advisories for models more prone to winter pothole impact.
Spotting Signs of a Bent Rim
Bent rims often hide behind symptoms that point to other problems. That’s part of what makes them easy to miss.
- A light wobble in the steering wheel, especially at certain speeds, is a common early sign
- You might hear a soft knocking or ticking around corners, usually from the seat or wheel area
- Some cars develop slow tyre leaks, as the rim no longer creates a perfect seal
Keep an eye on your tread wear too. If one tyre starts wearing down unevenly, or faster than the other three, it could mean a rim has already bent slightly out of shape. Sometimes the valve stem area will get affected and start leaking air just slowly enough for it to be missed until you hit the pump more often than usual.
What Cold and Potholes Do Over Time
A single cold night won’t do much. The bigger issue happens when the pattern repeats.
- Regular morning drives over uneven surfaces nudge the rim’s shape bit by bit
- Winter grit, dirt, and water start to collect around the bent edge, making it rust faster
- Hairline cracks can form in already stressed spots, expanding into full splits if not caught early
Over a few weeks, this kind of pressure affects how your rim lines up with your suspension and wheel hub. That leads to dodgy handling, poor alignment, and chewed-out tyres. Worse, if you let it go long enough, the rim might not be repairable, and you’ll feel it through the steering and braking. That kind of wear only gets pricier the longer it’s ignored.
Keeping Your Rims in Better Condition This Season
By late May, cold mornings are already becoming routine in many places around Western Australia. We always get more messages from people noticing sudden shakes or flat spots around this time.
- Drive a little slower through areas with patchy asphalt or faded road paint, especially if it rained the night before
- Do a quick check of your rims every few days, look for dents, scuffs, or dark rings that weren’t there last week
- After night drives, check your tyre pressure and watch for small drops in one wheel
If something looks off, touch the inside of the rim with your hand. Feel for edges that don’t follow the same arc or any sharp lips that weren’t there before. A rim should have a smooth contour and sit level all the way through. The moment it looks warped or doesn’t line up evenly with the tyre, it needs inspection.
Staying Ahead of Pothole Damage
Late autumn into early winter is when most of us let our guard down. The weather’s shifted, the roads feel familiar again after summer, but that’s often when smaller damage sets in. One cold bruise to the road becomes a proper pothole before we even notice.
For builds that are still using original Holden Commodore rims, especially from the VB to VL line, the risk is greater. Those wheels weren’t designed for modern roadwear and years of age haven’t made them stronger. Whether it's a weekend run or part of your daily drive, winter potholes aren’t forgiving. Keeping a closer eye now means fewer issues creeping up down the track, and might just keep your next alignment job from turning into a full rim hunt.
When your ride is handling differently or you’ve noticed some rough patches on your usual routes, it could be time to inspect your wheels, especially with older models during early winter when road conditions change frequently. We stock a quality range of Holden Commodore rims to suit everything from ongoing restorations to daily drivers needing an upgrade. At Holdcom Auto Parts, we’re ready to help you find the ideal fit for your setup, so reach out if you need assistance getting your wheels sorted.
