What to Do When a Car Gets Grounded?
3 Answers
Solutions for when a car gets grounded: 1. If the car gets grounded while driving, try to stop the vehicle and get out to assess the situation clearly. If the front tires have already passed, place a few bricks in front of the rear tires to align them as much as possible with the grounding object before proceeding. 2. After grounding, pull over to the side and check the underside of the car for any obvious impacts. If there are severe cracks, do not continue driving; instead, park and wait for assistance. 3. After grounding, drive the car home and leave it parked overnight. The next day before driving, check for any signs of oil leakage. If oil leakage is detected, the car must be repaired and should not be driven further.
Once while driving past a construction site, my car's undercarriage got severely scraped with a sharp, piercing noise. I immediately stopped the engine, turned on the hazard lights, and ensured my own safety. It's best to get out and carefully inspect whether the undercarriage is seriously deformed or leaking oil, especially around the oil pan and exhaust pipe. If it's just a minor scrape, it might only be the underbody shield that's damaged. However, if there are signs of oil leakage, you must not continue driving to prevent further damage. In such cases, you should call the police or a towing service to have the car directly towed to a professional repair shop for inspection. Undercarriage issues can easily lead to suspension or oil line damage, and if not addressed promptly, the situation can worsen, resulting in higher repair costs. In daily driving, avoid potholes and uneven roads, especially for SUVs, which require extra attention to ground clearance. In short, safety comes first—act decisively and don't hesitate to take the necessary time to ensure everything is checked properly.
After driving for so many years, I've seen plenty of cases of undercarriage scraping. If something feels off, stop the car immediately without hesitation. First, check the extent of the damage. If it's just a minor scrape and the tire guards are intact, you can continue driving slowly back. But if it's a serious collision with the undercarriage cracked and leaking oil, then you're in trouble. I've dealt with this a few times myself—a simple method is to use a flashlight to check for any leaks, and never use a match. If the situation looks bad, call for a tow truck or contact professionals at a 4S shop right away. Remember, it's even more troublesome in remote areas, so it's good to keep an emergency kit in the car. Also, avoid reckless off-roading; choosing the right path makes driving much easier. Afterward, make sure to get a thorough inspection—spending some money on replacement parts is worth it for safety.
