Is It Serious If the Car Chassis Gets Scratched?
2 Answers
Whether it is serious if the car chassis gets scratched depends on different situations: 1. It is serious if there is fluid leakage or component deformation; 2. It is not serious if there are minor scratches. The car chassis is composed of the transmission system, running system, steering system, and braking system. Its functions include: 1. Preventing underbody scraping and maintaining stability; 2. Sound insulation and noise reduction; 3. Heat insulation; 4. Shock absorption; 5. Preventing stone impacts; 6. Corrosion prevention. The reasons for abnormal noises in the chassis are: 1. Loose screws inside the chassis; 2. Loose or worn joints in the suspension linkage components; 3. Aging of the stabilizer bar rubber sleeve; 4. Brake system failure; 5. Loose shock absorbers.
Last time I was driving uphill, I accidentally scraped the undercarriage with a loud 'clunk' that startled me. Actually, this is quite common—it mainly depends on the location and depth of the scrape. If it's just minor scratches on the plastic underbody or thin metal layer, it's usually fine, leaving only small marks that don't affect safety. However, you should check for any deformation or fluid leaks, especially if vulnerable parts like the engine oil pan or exhaust pipe were hit, as this could lead to oil leakage or even overheating and fire while driving. After parking, I recommend crouching down for a quick visual inspection—use a flashlight to check for cracks or fluid seepage. If it's just surface marks, applying some anti-rust spray yourself should suffice. If anything feels off, head to a professional repair shop immediately for a proper diagnosis. To minimize risks, avoid potholes while driving. After all, if the undercarriage protective layer is compromised, long-term exposure to rain can cause rust and corrosion, leading to costly repairs down the line.