How to Tell if the Car's Undercarriage is Damaged After Being Scraped?
2 Answers
Check for oil leaks or unusual noises. Avoid driving on saline-alkali soil roads: Saline-alkali substances (such as lime) can easily react with metal, corroding the metal components of the vehicle's undercarriage. The vehicle should be driven on other road sections, or the body should be washed as soon as possible after driving on such roads. Avoid driving on gravel roads: When driving on gravel roads, flying stones continuously hit the bottom of the vehicle, damaging the anti-rust coating on the surface of the undercarriage components, reducing the anti-rust capability of the metal parts, shortening their service life, and increasing the owner's maintenance costs. Avoid driving on beaches: Driving off-road on beaches, with wheels splashing sun-reflecting waves, may seem romantic, but prolonged driving in such conditions will cause the vehicle's undercarriage to succumb to saltwater corrosion, leading to rapid rusting.
That day when I drove over a pothole, the chassis got scraped and made a loud noise. I should first stop the car safely and check if there's any damage. Turn off the engine and listen for any leaking sounds, especially from engine oil or coolant, as scraping the chassis might cause cracks and leaks. Look at the ground for any oil stains or water marks. Then start the engine and drive slowly for a short distance to see if the steering wheel shakes abnormally or if there are any new noises like metal grinding from the chassis. Also, check the dashboard to see if any warning lights are on. Most of the time, it's just the protective plate getting scratched, but if the suspension system is severely deformed, the car will become unstable. I suggest everyone pay more attention to road height when driving daily, avoid going too fast over potholes, and if possible, use a jack to lift the car and check how deep the chassis scratches are. Remember to go to a repair shop for inspection promptly, as ignoring chassis damage could affect driving safety. This advice comes from my 20 years of driving experience—safety first.
