I've noticed this a good bit in my apartment complex and wonder if it's better for the car.
2007-01-16 02:38:07 · 6 answers · asked by dukefan86 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Some people drive diagonally over speed bumps because their cars do not have enough ground clearance before or after the wheels to clear the bump. Some other people do it because they think its a good idea, but if your car can go over a speed bump normally, that's the best thing to do.
When you go diagonally, you really put a tire on the bump first so it will lift the whole end of the car up. This is good for cars with low front or rear bumpers that would otherwise scrape, but if the middle of the car is too low, it won't help.
If your car is too low altogether, it will scrape no matter how you try to go over the speed bump - straight or diagonal. Also, if you go at too much of an angle, you will also scrape the car on the bump.
The best way to go over a speed bump is straight on - this puts equal stress on the car components and frame and is better than individually straining each part of the car and putting flex-force on the frame. Also, going over a speed bump straight on allows you to go faster and keeps the car more stable.
You'll notice that cars that usually go over speed bumps at an angle are going very slowly, while cars (with decent clearance) that go straight on can go much faster without issue.
2007-01-16 04:47:15 · answer #1 · answered by Say 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you drive diagonally across a speed bump, it gives your car a better approach and departure angle. This technique is used in off-road driving, and is where I learned to do it. When I met my wife and we were dating, she lived in a neighborhood with many MANY speedbumps. She would scrape the bottom of her Kia over them every time. I told her to try this, and she never bumped the car on them again.
2007-01-16 10:46:58 · answer #2 · answered by Doug K 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, it's just so the lame tuner-car wannabes don't crush their coffee-can mufflers as they drive over the bumps. Gotta save that lovely "bumblebee-on-crack" sound that makes you think you're fast, right?
2007-01-16 15:31:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
they drive over it that way because they seen someone else do it and beleive it makes a difference when in all truth it does not. all vehical suspentions are tested straight up and down.
2007-01-17 07:34:24 · answer #4 · answered by Good ol boy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do that so only one tire at a time goes over the bump so if i am drinkind a pepsi or something the hole front won't go complety up in the air and then come crashing down so my beverage wont spill
2007-01-16 10:43:48 · answer #5 · answered by Southwest and Jet Blue Airways! 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's easier on the car and more on the occupants
2007-01-16 10:42:53 · answer #6 · answered by misc 75 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋