{"id":2105,"date":"2024-11-08T07:55:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T15:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=2105"},"modified":"2025-02-20T02:21:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T10:21:56","slug":"undercarriage-damage","status":"publish","type":"car-repair","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-repair\/undercarriage-damage\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know About Undercarriage Damage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Undercarriage car damage includes any damage that impacts the undercarriage of your car\u2014or the parts of your car that are directly exposed to the road\u2014including your exhaust system, suspension, and gas tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When inspecting your car for damage, most people think about visible damage to the body of their car and internal engine damage. If you nick your door on a post, accidentally back into a barrier, or see smoke coming from your hood, you immediately know where you should check for damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what about the last time you hit a speed bump too quickly or drove down a road filled with potholes? While you can\u2019t easily see damage underneath your car, undercarriage damage is important to look out for to keep your car in optimal condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not always easy to spot undercarriage car damage, so <a href=\"\/signup\/\">Jerry<\/a>, the <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/bmw\/m3\/\" data-type=\"car-insurance\" data-id=\"29872\">car insurance<\/a> comparison and <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/is-jerry-legit\/\">trustworthy super app<\/a>, has created a complete guide on everything you need to know. We\u2019ll go over what your car\u2019s undercarriage is, how it can get damaged, and the undercarriage damage signs you should look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-cta\"><div class=\"flex flex-col items-start gap-4 rounded-xl border border-zinc-200 px-12 py-8 md:flex-row md:items-center md:gap-14\"><div class=\"flex-1\"><span class=\"text-xl font-black text-gray-900\">YOU\u2019RE MINUTES AWAY FROM SIMPLIFIED CAR MAINTENANCE<\/span><\/div><div class=\"flex-1\"><a href=\"\/signup\/addcaryear?service=garage \" class=\"bg-primary block w-full rounded-full px-14 py-2 text-center font-black text-white hover:no-underline\">Get Started for Free<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-cars-undercarriage\">What is a car\u2019s undercarriage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The undercarriage of a car describes the system of parts underneath a car\u2019s main cabin that is directly exposed to the road. Some larger parts that live in a car\u2019s undercarriage are the exhaust system, suspension, and gas tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A car\u2019s undercarriage is meant to protect the bottom mechanics of a car, so these parts are built tough and designed to withstand continuous exposure to the road and outdoor elements. That said, it\u2019s not unbreakable, which is why it\u2019s important to keep an eye out for undercarriage damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-does-undercarriage-damage-mean\">What does undercarriage damage mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Undercarriage damage describes any kind of harm done to the underside of a car. The undercarriage is always exposed to the road, so it experiences constant wear and tear from debris, road conditions, and the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What causes undercarriage damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your car\u2019s undercarriage can become damaged in several ways. Here are the most popular causes of undercarriage car damage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mud<\/strong>: If you regularly take your car off-roading, travel on dirt roads, or live in a rainy place, the mud that gets kicked up into your undercarriage from your wheels can cause damage. Mud holds moisture, so caked-on mud can cause parts of your undercarriage to rust.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Salt<\/strong>: Salt undercarriage damage is most popular in cold-weather areas, where road salt is used to melt ice to keep driving conditions safe. Continuous exposure to salt can cause parts of your undercarriage to corrode, leaving important parts of your car vulnerable to further damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Potholes<\/strong>: Hitting a pothole at a high speed can often be enough to seriously damage the undercarriage of your car. The impact can cause your car to hit asphalt, gravel, or dirt. This impact may lead to fluid leaks, exhaust damage, suspension damage, or cracks. Many times this type of damage is called bottoming out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-identify-undercarriage-damage\">How to identify undercarriage damage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While it\u2019s tough (and sometimes dangerous) to get underneath your car and look for visible damage, there are signs to look out for that may indicate your car\u2019s undercarriage is damaged. Here are the most common signs of a damaged car undercarriage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Leaking fluid<\/strong>: If you notice pools of fluid underneath your car or even inside your car\u2019s wheel wells, this could be a sign that part of your undercarriage is damaged.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strong oil smell<\/strong>: If you see or smell engine oil in or underneath your car, this could signify that part of your car\u2019s undercarriage, such as an oil pan, is cracked and needs repairing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Steering problems<\/strong>: If you notice your car veering to the left or right while driving or find that your steering wheel is less responsive to turning, this could be a sign that part of your undercarriage, such as your car\u2019s control arm or steering knuckle, is damaged and needs to be looked at.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Visible scrapes or hanging parts<\/strong>: If you see scrapes around the base of your car or notice anything hanging down while parked, you\u2019ve likely hit something on the road that\u2019s caused damage to the undercarriage of your car.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you suspect that your car has undercarriage damage, you should bring it to a repair shop as soon as possible. Keeping up with undercarriage maintenance is just as important as regular car maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-save-money-on-car-insurance\">How to save money on car insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Serious undercarriage damage could present you with an unexpected bill you\u2019re not prepared to pay. But with <a href=\"\/signup\/\">Jerry<\/a>, the <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/is-jerry-legit\/\">top-rated insurance comparison app<\/a>, you can save money on your premium while still getting great coverage, which puts you in a better position when the mechanic calls with surprise car damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies, and Jerry takes care of the rest\u2014securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No long forms. No calling around. No hard work. Just savings. The average Jerry user saves $800+ a year on <a href=\"\/car-insurance\/\">car insurance<\/a>. That\u2019s enough to cover your next undercarriage maintenance bill!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-cta\"><div class=\"flex flex-col items-start gap-4 rounded-xl border border-zinc-200 px-12 py-8 md:flex-row md:items-center md:gap-14\"><div class=\"flex-1\"><span class=\"text-xl font-black text-gray-900\">YOU\u2019RE MINUTES AWAY FROM SIMPLIFIED CAR MAINTENANCE<\/span><\/div><div class=\"flex-1\"><a href=\"\/signup\/addcaryear?service=garage \" class=\"bg-primary block w-full rounded-full px-14 py-2 text-center font-black text-white hover:no-underline\">Get Started for Free<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"!mbs-12 !mbe-12 wp-block-jerry-faqs  wp-block-jerry-faqs\">\n  <!-- Title -->\n    <h2 class=\"medium-title text-black mb-1.5 pt-12 uppercase\">\n    FAQ  <\/h2>\n  \n  <!-- Accordion -->\n  \n<div class=\"max-w-screen-lg my-6 [&amp;_li:last-child]:border-b-0\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-jerry-accordion\">\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item font-circular flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-start border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 is-style-accordion-item-box wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        Is damage to the undercarriage of a car bad?      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>Undercarriage car damage can range from mild to serious depending on the cause and part of the undercarriage you\u2019ve damaged. If you suspect car undercarriage damage, bring your car to a mechanic and have it checked out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item font-circular flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-start border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 is-style-accordion-item-box wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        What&#8217;s the repair cost for undercarriage car damage?      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>Undercarriage damage repair can range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the damaged parts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n  <!-- Contact link -->\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-meet-experts\" data-wp-interactive=\"jerry\/meet-experts\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;modalVisible&quot;:false}\">\n  <div class=\"font-circular text-2xl font-extrabold text-slate-900\">Expert-driven. Built for you.<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"my-3\">\n    <div class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-3 border-b border-neutral-200 cursor-pointer font-semibold text-gray-900\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.toggleModal\">\n  <button class=\"text-left text-base\" type=\"button\">\n    Why you can count on Jerry&#8217;s articles  <\/button>\n\n  <div class=\"transition data-[visible=true]:md:rotate-180 text-xs iconify i--chevron-down text-gray-500\" data-wp-bind--data-visible=\"context.modalVisible\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"modal-backdrop fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-50 overflow-hidden overscroll-contain bg-black\/70 font-body transition-transform delay-100 duration-0 md:relative md:z-auto [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:translate-y-full [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:bg-black\/0 [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:md:hidden\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onModalInit\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.hideModal\" data-wp-bind--data-visible=\"context.modalVisible\">\n  <div class=\"modal-view fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 flex max-h-[75%] w-full flex-col rounded-t-3xl bg-white pb-7 pl-7 pt-3.5 transition md:relative md:rounded-none md:pl-0 md:transition-none [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:translate-y-full [&amp;:not([data-visible=true])]:md:hidden\" data-wp-bind--data-visible=\"context.modalVisible\">\n    <div class=\"modal-header md:hidden flex justify-between items-center pb-1 mb-1 border-b border-zinc-200\">\n      <div class=\"modal-title text-base font-semibold\">Summary<\/div>\n\n      <div\n        class=\"modal-close-btn wp-block-group w-11 h-11 mr-2.5 content-center text-center\"\n        data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.hideModal\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"iconify i--close text-gray-500 cursor-pointer\"><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"modal-body pr-7 overflow-y-auto\"><div class=\"wp-block-template-part\"><div class=\"flex flex-row items-center gap-2.5 rounded-lg bg-gray-pink px-4 py-5\">\n  <span class=\"iconify mt-0.5 shrink-0 self-start text-xs text-primary i--shield-check\"><\/span>\n\n  <div>\n    <div class=\"font-body text-xs font-bold text-primary\">Our goal is clear, trustworthy information.<\/div>\n    <div class=\"mt-1 font-body text-xs text-gray-600\">\n      Our content is created, edited and fact checked by a team of licensed insurance agents, automotive pros and\n      experienced journalists who know the industry inside and out. Facts are thoroughly researched, verified and kept\n      current, and our editorial team is separate from our business partners, so our opinions &#038; tips are unbiased. All\n      insights drawn from Jerry\u2019s proprietary, aggregated customer auto insurance quotes data provide unique, real-world\n      guidance.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"text-base font-semibold text-gray-900\">Our experts<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"my-8 flex flex-col gap-8 items-center justify-center\">\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Katherine-Duffy.png\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\" alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Katherine-Duffy.png 250w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Katherine-Duffy-150x150.png 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Katherine-Duffy-56x56.png 56w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Katherine-Duffy-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 260px, (max-width: 576px) 432px, (max-width: 720px) 540px, (min-width: 720px) 250px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              Katherine Duffy            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>Katherine Duffy is an insurance writer who has spent over half a decade in the professional writing industry. Katherine specializes in content geared toward the everyday driver, including advice on insurance companies and coverages, vehicle specs, and car maintenance. As part of her mission to create helpful and relatable articles, she has written over 550 pieces on car insurance and vehicle care. Katherine has also worked as a teaching assistant at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she obtained a degree in English Language and Literature. Katherine is currently pursuing her J.D. at Western Law.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-theme\/assets\/images\/author\/avatar.svg\"  alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\"fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\">\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              Melanie Reiff            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>Melanie Reiff is an expert insurance writer and editor with over half a decade of experience in professional writing. Guided by a lifelong love of storytelling, it\u2019s Melanie\u2019s mission to help people problemsolve by means of creative and engaging content. Melanie specializes in analyzing the ways in which society, technology, and culture intersect, previously working with clients in travel, technology, and social impact to tell their stories.<br \/>As an editorial team lead at Jerry, Melanie has translated her prior experience into creating and editing insurance content that can help drivers and homeowners find the solutions they need and make informed moves.<br \/>Prior to joining Jerry\u2019s editorial team, Melanie worked as a freelance content marketing strategist and was the full-time director of choir at Rampart High School Acadamy in Colorado Springs.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 z-[2] flex items-center gap-4 bg-primary p-4 md:hidden wp-block-jerry-sticky-cta-banner\" data-wp-interactive=\"jerry\/sticky-cta-banner\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;track&quot;:{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;StickyCTABanner&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;car-repair&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;RepairArticle&quot;,&quot;metadata&quot;:[]}}\">\n  <div class=\"font-circular font-bold text-white\">\n    Join 500K drivers who trust Jerry for maintenance reminders.  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 justify-end\">\n    <a\n      class=\"w-full max-w-[300px] whitespace-nowrap rounded-full bg-white px-8 py-2 text-center font-circular text-xs font-bold text-black hover:no-underline\"\n      href=\"\/signup?service=garage\"\n      title=\"Get Started\"\n      data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"\n    >\n      Get Started    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Undercarriage car damage includes any damage that impacts the parts of your car directly exposed to the road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":1106,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"single-advice","meta":{"jerry_authors":"[{\"id\":\"180\",\"type\":\"main-author\"},{\"id\":\"234\",\"type\":\"editor\"}]","jerry_author_ids":[180],"jerry_idx_page_label":"","jerry_meta_desc":"Undercarriage car damage includes any damage that impacts the parts of your car directly exposed to the road.","jerry_related_posts":"[32558,34180,7471,28237,32885]","jerry_summary":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[96,116,120,621],"class_list":["post-2105","car-repair","type-car-repair","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-car-damage","tag-car-parts","tag-car-repair","tag-resource_car_repair"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair\/2105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/car-repair"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2105"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair\/2105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53328,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair\/2105\/revisions\/53328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}