Is It Normal for the Chassis to Get Scratched?
3 Answers
Chassis scratches can be divided into two scenarios: minor and severe: 1. Minor scratches: If the scratches are minor, they generally won't cause significant issues. Minor scratches may only affect metal attachments or plastic components on the chassis and can be addressed with simple touch-up paint or repairs. 2. Severe scratches: Severe scratches are most likely to damage components such as the transmission, engine oil pan, exhaust pipe, and fuel tank. Additionally, the suspension, steering linkage, and various fluid lines may fracture or sustain damage due to impact with protruding objects. If such damage occurs, prompt repairs are necessary. Below is an introduction to the relevant functions: Role: The chassis serves as the bottom framework of the vehicle. On one hand, it supports critical components like the engine, body frame, and transmission. On the other hand, it provides the structural foundation for the orderly integration of the four major vehicle systems—suspension, braking, steering, and driving—ensuring the car can operate normally.
Last time I drove back to my hometown on rough roads and scraped the undercarriage. At first, I was really panicked. Later, I got down and took a closer look and found that it was just a white scratch on the plastic guard plate, which actually doesn’t affect driving at all. However, if metal components like the subframe or longitudinal beams are dented, you need to pay special attention and it’s best to have a repair shop lift the car for inspection. If you hear rattling noises after scraping or notice oil or water stains on the ground, it could indicate problems with the oil pan, radiator, or exhaust pipe—these issues should never be delayed. For electric vehicles, extra caution is needed around the battery pack location. If you see obvious impact marks, even if the car still runs, you should get it checked immediately. In short, next time you encounter potholes, remember to drive at an angle, and don’t speed over speed bumps too fast.
My old car has scraped its undercarriage three or four times. The mechanic taught me a diagnostic trick: a high-pitched scraping noise usually means just the skid plate was hit, while a dull thud could indicate damage to critical components. When parked on level ground, first check for fluid leaks—coolant is green, engine oil is brownish-black, and transmission fluid has a distinct reddish hue. Then crouch down and feel the skid plate at the scrape point—replace it if cracked. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock to listen for new clunking sounds from the steering gear. If the exhaust pipe is bent, you'll feel noticeable vibrations under the rear seats when accelerating. Replacement skid plates cost just over 200 yuan on Taobao—half the price of dealership parts.
