Is It Harmful If a Car's Chassis Scrapes Against Tree Branches?
3 Answers
If a car's chassis scrapes against tree branches, it generally does not cause any significant damage under normal circumstances. Although fuel lines are relatively susceptible to impact, these pipelines are typically concealed and protected within the grooves of the chassis steel plate, ensuring they do not protrude above the chassis's horizontal plane. Additionally, the steel oil pan is not easily punctured. Below are the methods to address scratches on the car: Hairline Scratches: Hairline scratches can usually be removed by polishing or applying a rubbing compound. A gentle wipe is often sufficient to eliminate these fine marks. Light Scratches: For light scratches, simply using toothpaste can be very effective. Toothpaste works remarkably well on shallow scratches that have not penetrated the car's primer. It is particularly useful for removing residual paint from minor collisions with other vehicles or adhesive residues left by stickers and similar products. Moderate to Deep Scratches: Moderate and deep scratches cannot be repaired by polishing. For small dents with a depth of no more than 5mm, filling them with putty to level the surface, followed by touch-up painting, is recommended.
When I scraped the chassis against tree branches on the country road earlier, I immediately pulled over to check. If the underbody protection panel gets deeply scratched by branches, you need to pay attention. A cracked plastic guard is easier to deal with, but if the metal fuel tank area is scraped, it can be dangerous and prone to fuel leaks. I remember the 4S technician once said that chassis wiring and pipelines are underneath, and some thin branches can get stuck in the exhaust system, causing strange noises. It's best to use your phone's flashlight to take photos and inspect the scratched area. If there's no fluid leakage, it's probably just guard panel damage. When you get home, find a pit to take a closer look, and just pay more attention to steering wheel vibrations and unusual noises while driving.
Last time when helping a friend tow a car, the chassis scraped against some dead branches, and the noise was really frightening. Actually, most urban SUVs have high enough ground clearance that minor scrapes only scratch the paint. But you need to be wary of thick branches hitting the screws on the engine guard plate. Once, my guard plate screws got loosened from an impact, causing strange noises. When I got home, I jacked up the car and used a flashlight to inspect, focusing on scratches near the exhaust pipe and brake fluid lines. Now, before driving on rough roads, I make it a habit to check the height of branches from the ground. Chassis armor can prevent minor scratches, but if hit by a tree stump, you must check if the chassis frame is deformed.
