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Reasons Why You Need To Avoid The Curb When Driving

Often, ignorance when driving leads to problems with the law. If you are a driver, you have probably been pulled to the side by a traffic officer at least once for breaching the rules of the road. In the end, you are forced to pay hefty fines for rule violations. These rules are there to ensure your safety as well as the safety of your car, but it is the small things that are not monitored by an officer that incur the greatest damage. For instance, parking on a curb or hitting a curb occasionally is a habit that can wear out your car's suspension.  

The Make-Up Of A Car Suspension

The function of a car's suspension is to support the sprung weight of the car as well as to maximize contact between the tires and the ground. Sprung weight refers to the weight of the car's body car plus the weight of any other component that is solidly attached to the body including the driver and passengers. Weights of other components are collectively known as unsprung weight.

The suspension of a car is comprised of a suspension system that holds the weight, a steering system that directs the vehicle, a frame, and tires and wheels which roll to push the car. When you hit a curb, there is a strain imposed on the system, but it is the tires that hurt the most.

How The Tires Are Damaged When You Hit A Curb

Not all curbs are dangerous; it is only the 90-degree curbs that can hurt your suspension. In fact, most cars are parked on rounded curbs. Driving into a 90-degree curb bends the wheel of the car. In effect, this cuts and tears the sidewalls of the tires. Parking on a 90-degree curb for a long time may also wear other wheel and tire components such as the ball joints.

Another popular move among drivers is to slide sideways into a curb. Besides wearing out your tires, this move can make the bearing on the wheel hub to become noisy as a sign of discomfort, bend some components of the steering system, and distort your vehicle's alignment. Repairing these kinds of damage is no easy thing when monetary terms are considered so it is better to avoid the curb as much as you can.

After you have hit a 90-degree curb, try to pull your car back gently. Put the car in a neutral state and slowly get your foot off the brakes. This gives your car a chance of easing back on its own. 


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