What are the hazards of driving a car onto curb edges?
3 Answers
Driving onto curb edges can cause several major damages to vehicles: 1. Increased tire wear and potential sidewall damage. 2. Shortened shock absorber lifespan. 3. Undercarriage scraping that may damage oil pans and suspension components. 4. Harm to steering gears and power steering systems. Common solutions for vehicle issues: 1. Engine failure: Non-starting symptoms may include no response when turning the ignition, starter noise without rotation, starter rotation without engine engagement, or engine cranking but failing to start. 2. Automatic transmission issues: Symptoms include slow acceleration, harsh shifting, high fluid temperature, missing high gears, failure to start, or inability to change gear positions. Most transmission problems stem from delayed maintenance rather than long-term part wear. 3. Steering wheel wobble or vibration: This manifests as unstable directional control or steering wheel shaking while driving, caused by excessive wheel runout, unbalanced wheels, loose steering components, improper wheel alignment, or air in power steering hydraulics. 4. Brake failure: Inability to decelerate or stop when braking, or sudden loss of braking after repeated applications. Potential causes include brake fluid leaks, damaged lines/fittings, or failed sealing components. 5. Wiper malfunction: Symptoms include inoperative wipers, weak operation, incorrect sweep patterns, unresponsive speed control, or indistinct speed changes. These typically relate to wiper motor, switch, or linkage mechanism failures.
As an experienced driver, I think driving onto the curb is just asking for trouble. There are too many hazards, such as the suspension system being easily damaged. Those springs and shock absorbers are quite delicate, and hitting them hard can cause deformation or breakage. The chassis may also get scratched, especially if the curb is high, directly scraping the exhaust system or oil pan, and repairs can cost hundreds or even thousands. As for the tires, forcing them onto the curb can scratch the sidewalls or cause bulges, even leading to a blowout, significantly increasing the risk of accidents on the highway. I've even seen a friend's car get a hole from doing this, scaring him into calling a tow truck immediately. It's also a safety hazard—if the road is slippery, the car might lose control and skid, potentially hitting pedestrians or causing other accidents, harming both others and yourself. Developing the habit of slowly reversing and parking properly is the right way to go. Avoiding these small actions can save you both trouble and money.
As a young driver who loves to look cool, I absolutely refuse to drive over curbs. The main hazard is the significant safety risk—suddenly lifting a wheel can cause the car to shake and lose control, and the steering wheel may veer unpredictably, especially in crowded urban areas where hitting pedestrians or nearby cars could have disastrous consequences. There's also damage to the car itself: tire edges can wear out quickly, suspension components may loosen, and the resulting creaking noises ruin the ride comfort. I remember once trying to save time by doing this, only to end up with a bulging tire and a scratched undercarriage, costing me 500 bucks at the repair shop. Plus, it's bad for the environment—unnecessary wear and tear increases waste and pollution, wasting resources. Nowadays, I’d rather drive a bit farther to find a proper parking spot than take that risk. Safety first, right?
