Will Driving Up Steps Damage the Car?
2 Answers
Driving up steps can cause damage to the car. Frequently driving up steps can significantly harm the tires, suspension, and shock absorbers, as it may easily lead to scraping of the car's chassis. The chassis contains many automotive pipelines, and even slight negligence can damage them. Therefore, driving up steps exerts a substantial impact on the tires. If you frequently drive up steps, it's essential to constantly monitor the tire pressure. The car's suspension is the main component that supports the body, and its function is to reduce body vibration. Prolonged driving on rough roads can cause certain damage to the suspension and also affect the shock absorbers to some extent. The correct way to drive up steps: When driving up steps, the front wheels should first make contact with the step, and the speed must be slow to avoid excessive impact on the tires. Once the tires are close to the step, gradually increase the throttle to allow the car to have a cushioning process, thereby reducing damage to the tires. If the rear wheels go up first, the method is the same as with the front wheels—wait until the tires contact the step before slowly ascending. While driving, it is advisable to choose roads with better conditions to minimize damage to the car's internal components.
I often deal with car repair-related matters, and driving up steps is definitely harmful to the car—it's no small issue. The vehicle's suspension system is designed to handle bumps on flat roads only. The height of steps can subject the tires to immense pressure instantly, potentially causing blowouts, deformation of suspension arms, or even scraping and damaging the undercarriage protection plates. Over time, it can also affect wheel alignment, causing the car to pull to one side. I've seen many cases where drivers took the shortcut of driving straight up steps, only to end up with ruined tires and additional costs for replacing parts. In daily driving, it's best to avoid steps and look for slopes or flat ground to park. Otherwise, the repair costs won't be cheap, and the safety risks are high.