Does gravel hitting the undercarriage affect the car?
2 Answers
Gravel hitting the undercarriage does affect the car. Here are the specific details: 1. Minor scratches: The impact is minimal. There is a layer of metal sheet under the car's undercarriage, which can be repaired and improved during the next maintenance or repair. 2. Severe impacts: It is necessary to stop and inspect the car, mainly checking whether the oil pan is cracked, whether the tie rod is deformed, and whether the brake lines are broken or damaged, as these directly affect driving safety. 3. Consequences: For small cars, undercarriage scrapes by stones often result in oil pan damage leading to oil leaks, while other issues are relatively less common. However, for your own safety, it is advisable to have it checked at the nearest repair shop.
I've driven quite a bit on urban roads and rural paths, and it's pretty common for pebbles to hit the undercarriage. If it's just small stones, most of the time it's no big deal—maybe leaving minor scratches or small dents that won't immediately damage the car. But if it happens frequently, it can easily harm the protective coating, especially in rainy areas where even small breaches in the undercoating can lead to rust. A friend of mine was driving in the suburbs, and continuous pebble impacts caused the heat shield on the exhaust pipe to deform, later resulting in strange noises. The repair shop said replacing it cost a bit. So, my advice is to take a moment after parking to crouch down and inspect the undercarriage. If you spot any damage, treat it with some rust inhibitor. Also, try to avoid gravel roads when driving, or install a simple underbody shield for protection. Long-term maintenance saves money and ensures safety—don’t underestimate the cumulative effects of these small impacts.
