Do Speed Bumps Damage Cars?

Sometimes, you can blame driving in an unfamiliar area or a momentary case of inattentiveness. It happens. Sometimes, you just hit that speed bump too hard or at a weird angle, and you hear an inevitable crunch-scrape that sends visions of dollar bills for repair costs zinging through your head. It makes you wonder, how bad can it be? Can speed bumps damage your car?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes, they can, and yes, it can be bad.

The real question is, how bad is it? Let’s look at the different components of speed bump damage to your undercarriage.

Shocks

Your shocks act as regulators for the road. They work on a hydraulic system that smooths out imperfections on the road so you don’t feel every minor bump or dip you drive over. They are meant for smooth, even reactions to fairly predictable terrain. That’s why you feel a sudden pothole or speed bump so much more than the standard dips and curves of the roadway.

Traveling too fast over a speed bump or through a pothole can damage your shocks in several ways. It can cause the shocks to bend or twist out of shape and leak hydraulic fluid. The longer this goes on, or the more encounters you have, the more dangerous the situation becomes as your shocks begin to break down and give out. Damage to your shocks is about more than your general road comfort. Without your shocks, you can lose all control over your vehicle during quick stops or additional speed bump encounters.

Steering

Damaged shocks will also damage the steering and other components affected by road vibrations. When your ride becomes shaky from damaged shocks, that loosens mounting bolts, twists thin components, and causes power steering leaks.

Alignment 

Steering and alignment go hand in hand. Instabilities in one will be reflected in damage to the other that will continue to cause poor handling and safety issues.

Tires

A bad alignment means uneven wear and tear on your tires, with an increased risk of blowouts and loss of vehicle control because the tires aren’t gripping the road the same way.

Even if the alignment hasn’t gone out, the chance that your tire will come down unevenly, with unstable contact and pressure to the sidewalls, is increased with every unnecessary thump and speed bump. You could actually bend the rims.

Exhaust

Your exhaust system runs the length of the underside of your vehicle. It’s one of the easiest parts to damage when you race over an unexpected speed bump. Damage can occur in any number of ways. You can scratch or dent metal or break bolts and rubber mounts, all of which can lead to fines and costly repairs.

Everything Else

The bottom line is that the more your shocks go out, the more every part of your car shakes and rattles. Those tremors can affect your electrical system, engine mounting bolts, air conditioning and radiator, oil pan and gaskets, and more.

The Power of Going Slowly

Remember, the primary purpose of a speed bump isn’t to damage your car but to ensure safety. By following the posted traffic signs and taking those speed bumps slowly, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage to both people and property.

The best solution to your concerns about damage to your car from speed bumps is your speedometer. Take your time. Go slowly. Yes, we mean SLOWLY. You really won’t lose that much time, and you’re saving yourself a lot of headaches and repair bills.

When it comes to speed bumps, slow and steady definitely wins the race.

Visit CARSTAR for All Your Auto Body Needs

Whether your car is suffering from the effects of a speed bump or a bumper-bump collision, your neighborhood CARSTAR is ready to help get your car looking and working its best once again. Schedule a visit with our friendly technicians for top-quality auto body repairs today!