Is it serious if the Civic chassis is scratched?

[RemingtonLee]

The severity of a scratch on the Civic chassis depends on which part of the chassis is damaged. The most serious scenario is the oil pan being scraped off. The exhaust pipe, located at the bottom of the vehicle, is also quite vulnerable. If it hits a hard, sharp rock, it can even be punctured. Generally, the front bumper and exhaust pipe of the Civic are more prone to being hit. Below is more detailed information: 1. Generally, scraping the undercarriage can cause scratches and deformation of the bottom part. In severe cases, it may damage the engine oil pan, although this is relatively unlikely. The scratched areas are prone to rust. 2. The oil pan of the engine and transmission is extremely susceptible to cracking during undercarriage scraping, leading to oil leakage. This is the most easily noticeable damage, but it requires prompt repair; otherwise, the damage to the engine could be permanent.

[MatthewAnn]

Last month when I was driving my Civic, the chassis scraped over a pothole. At first, I thought it was no big deal, but the next day I kept hearing strange noises while driving, which scared me into rushing to the repair shop. The mechanic checked it and said the skid plate was slightly deformed and touching the exhaust pipe. If it hadn’t been discovered early, the exhaust leakage could have become a serious issue. Since then, I’ve been extra cautious about uneven roads and slowed down my speed to avoid spending hundreds on repairs. I suggest you pull over immediately to check for oil leaks or deformed parts. Even if there are no symptoms, it’s best to have a professional do a thorough inspection—don’t delay like I did and end up with bigger problems. During regular maintenance, remind the technician to inspect the chassis armor, and consider installing a thicker skid plate for better protection. Being careful while driving daily is always a good idea.

[OliviaMarie]

I think it depends on the specific situation when the Civic's undercarriage gets scraped. If it's just a shallow scratch on the plastic guard plate, a simple cleanup will do; but if the fuel tank or fuel line gets scraped and oil leaks out, not only will it cost a lot to repair, but it could also be extremely dangerous if it catches fire. Once when I was on a business trip and driving late at night, the undercarriage hit a pile of stones, and later I found a crack at the suspension connection point. Replacing that part cost me nearly a thousand bucks, and I regretted not checking it in time. So, if you encounter this, don’t take it lightly. It’s best to turn off the engine and take a quick look from the ground. Even if there’s no obvious damage, find time to visit a 4S shop and have them check it with their equipment. Prevention is always better than cure.

[DelMary]

A scratched chassis is no small matter, especially for a compact family car like the Civic. Even a minor scrape could damage wiring or the braking system. For instance, my neighbor's car had its radiator damaged after a scrape, leading to overheating and a roadside breakdown that nearly caused an accident. I strongly advise you to stop immediately and check the situation. Even if it seems minor, get it repaired promptly. Also, avoid potholes and bumps while driving to prevent such issues in the future.