I quite often see other drivers swerve around manhole covers. It really doesn't make sense why they do this. I always drive over them; it's no big deal. It's not like driving over a manhole cover is going to cause any damage to a vehicle. Maybe they're afraid of falling in?
2007-03-26 11:09:08 · 16 answers · asked by Trick of the Tail 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
Cautionary measure, just in case they cave in. lived in California way too long.
2007-03-26 11:13:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some manhole covers are pretty even with the road surface, some are lower, and some are raised. Some drivers may believe that going over anything uneven can throw off the alignment of the tires. Some drivers may even have health problems that can get aggravated by a bumpy ride.
Of course, considerations like the above should not override prudent relative vehicle position on the road.
2007-03-26 11:18:37 · answer #2 · answered by brain.at.work 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They have a belief that the manhole cover will fail, or be lofted up into the undercarraige of their vehicle.
Mechanical failure is possible, but highly improbable. It *is* cast-iron, so it is brittle and can fail mechanically.
Launching it up and doing damage is more likely, but also very rare, the seats are designed to remain in place when force is applied to one side or the other. It takes a pry-bar to remove the covers.
.
2007-03-26 11:14:44 · answer #3 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It has been known to happen, although not very often, where the cover has flipped up under the car causing damage.. I believe for the most part people go around them because whover taught them to drive always did it, or you go around it because the person in front of you went around something youo think you should also. And sometimes its just a silly habit.
2007-03-26 11:13:28 · answer #4 · answered by Papa Joe 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Alot of manhole covers are sunken into the pavement creating stress on the car when the tire hits them.
2007-03-26 11:13:34 · answer #5 · answered by Lexy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
we have one on our street that somehow if you drive over it just right it sort of pops up and hits the bottom of your car. i always thought they were very heavy so when it happened to my car i just started going around it. maybe people are trying to protect there cars from damage.
2007-03-26 11:13:37 · answer #6 · answered by mylilangelcj 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not sure where you're driving but I can't say that I've ever observed that phenomenon and I've driven several million miles in over 20 countries.
2007-03-26 11:18:09 · answer #7 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not all cars have great suspension, those pot holes and sewer top can really damage your car. espesialy sports cars that ride low to the ground and compact cars which usually ride rough because of stiff suspesion.-
2007-03-26 11:16:15 · answer #8 · answered by thealternativemind 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
the only thing i can reason is this, they think the sudden swerve will do less damage to their vehicle or will spill less of their latte then if they had just drove straight over it.
2007-03-26 11:13:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Maybe they are afraid a man will come jumping up and they'll run him over
2007-03-26 11:11:48 · answer #10 · answered by Ands 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋