Will the sedan chassis be damaged if it hits a step?
2 Answers
When the car's chassis is hit by a step and you cannot determine whether there is any damage, it is recommended to drive the car to a 4S shop or repair shop for inspection. If the car is hit by a step, the extent of the impact should be assessed. The details are as follows: 1. During the design phase, the car's chassis is equipped with a certain level of impact resistance; 2. The most vulnerable parts of the car's chassis are various pipelines, such as brake hydraulic pipes and fuel pipes, but these pipelines are hidden and protected in the grooves of the chassis steel plate, not protruding above the chassis's horizontal plane; 3. The steel plate of the chassis contacts the step in a flat state, so the pipelines hidden in the grooves of the steel plate will not be damaged; 4. If the car hits a protruding stone on the ground, the impact contact surface is point-like, and the protruding stone may hit the pipelines in the grooves, causing oil or fluid leakage, which is more harmful; 5. It is recommended to drive the car to a repair shop, lift the car up, and carefully inspect the chassis. If the pipelines are not damaged and only the steel plate is scratched, applying some paint to prevent rust is sufficient. If the pipelines are damaged, a thorough inspection and repair are necessary.
I've been driving for years, and scraping the chassis against curbs is a common occurrence, but it can indeed cause damage. The chassis protects crucial components of the car, such as the oil pan, exhaust pipe, or suspension parts. A minor scrape might just chip the paint, leading to rust, while a severe impact could crack the oil pan, causing oil leakage—which is dangerous, not only affecting driving safety but also hitting your wallet hard. Once, I accidentally hit a curb, but luckily I stopped immediately to check underneath the car for any oil stains or dents. My advice is not to continue driving after a scrape; get the car lifted and inspected at a repair shop as soon as possible. When parking daily, keep a safe distance from curbs and avoid cutting corners for convenience. Prevention is better than repair, and developing good habits can save you a lot of trouble. Different car models have varying chassis heights; sedans generally have lower ground clearance and are more prone to damage, so extra caution is needed. Remember, safety comes first—don’t underestimate these minor scrapes.
