Bras and suchlike protect the paint when a rock hits, but is there consensus on effective ways to not get hit by the rock in the first place? (Other than "Garage Queen!" )

Obviously, keep enough distance between you and other vehicles (when possible) that any stones they kick up have time to fall back to earth.

Presumably, rocks from oncoming vehicles pose a greater risk of chipping than rocks from fellow travelers of the same direction, due to the increased difference in velocity, but does oncoming traffic cause more or fewer strikes than vehicles traveling in the same direction?

What is the trajectory of the average rock? I'm guessing that a car drives over and they get kicked up largely in place (ie they would land within a few yards of where they started - they don't gain a lot of the car's velocity), and then the next car drives into them at speed as they fall.
And sometimes I assume, they get kicked up, then bounce off the wheelwell and get batted forward by that, picking up the car's velocity, which can send them at speed into an oncoming lane, and instances like that would be real chippers if they hit an oncoming car.

But the roads around here are clean enough and I usually drive when there is not much traffic, such that rock strikes are (fortunately) very rare, and I don't have a lot of experience to go on.

I guess what I'm wondering is to what extent are rock-chips influenced by driving style?

 

The obvious is following too close. When you see a gravel truck ahead of you, get in the far left lane as soon as you can. Try to parallel the car to the right of you as to use him as a shield when you pass that damn truck. Hate those things!!!! And they usually drive at 80+ too!

 

The biggest factor that I see is the tendency of some drivers to closely follow a truck or other obvious problem. I have a friend with an '03 Z06 and when we are in his car, he will get very close to the back of a truck on the interstate before he will move over to the left lane and go around. He has the small bras on his mirrors and the big one on the front of the car. I try to be very conscious of not following anyone closely if at all possible. If I have someone in front of me that is going a good speed, then I stay just the right distance behind them so that someone coming up and passing from behind will NOT want to pull back in right in front of me, but will keep in the left lane so that he will pass the next guy also before cutting back in. Obviously this is much easier to do when you are on a nice open highway like here in Utah...much more difficult in congested areas. I think driving style has alot to do with the number of rock chips....but some are just impossible to avoid, and we can't let them ruin our day.

 

staying off the interstate as much as possible has helped me...but sometimes, thats impossible too. Chips happen.

 

It is not just gravel trucks.... If you see a truck, that has pulled to the side of the road... and he is pulling BACK out on the highway...STAY AWAY... the tires pick up rocks, and when he gets to speed, they will fly out...

 

I can't help but think it's just luck (good or bad) no matter what precautions you may take. One time I was following someone on the Long Island Expressway, QUITE a distance back (I can't remember if it was a car or a truck), and they kicked up a stone about as big around as a quarter. I saw it bounce at least once, and it hit me in the windshield and cracked it. There was no time to change lanes, and trying to avoid it probably would have caused an accident. Over the years, I've had 3 broken windshields on the LIE.

 

I feel your pain man! I have lost 3 windshields due to rocks on Rt.80 in NJ. Guess if it had to happen I would rather it hit the windshield than the front or hood of the car.

 

Daily driver here. I have some minor rock chips on the car that were unavoidable and I have learned a few things.

1.) Stay far far behind any and all construction/gravel trucks and 18-wheelers. If possible change lanes.

2.) Avoid staying behind any SUV or pickup that does not have mudflaps.

3.) Stay in the left lane on the highway as long as possible as this will reduce your chances of rock chips since one side is a barrier/wall.

4.) Be EXTREMELY careful when driving when the roads are freshly wet after a rain. More rocks and minor road debris are slung around in the water droplets from the tire treads than at any other time.

Others feel free to add their experiences. I have also found that almost all of the chips I have are on the lower part of the hood and none are on the front bumper. This is because the nose of the C6 is lower than most cars and the rocks tend to fly up higher than the front bumper. A nose mask will not stop this occurance.

 

My '99 was my DD for years. Black. The front was so badly pitted, it was gray. I'm now driving my MR '07, instantly put a clear bra on it which has helped a lot but still got hit by a good sixed rock and of course, just past the edge of clear bra. I travel two freeways daily out of three where there are lots of rock hauling trucks from quaries nearby, so its bad out here. Sometimes, they simply can't be avoided due to the heavy traffic.

 

"I guess what I'm wondering is to what extent are rock-chips influenced by driving style?"

A lot, if the driver goes on roads with lots of stuff on them. A little if the driver goes on roads without a lot of stuff.

You covered what should be done to minimize the damage in addition to driving on roads that don't have stuff. What more can be done?

Avoid more roads where they're broken up. Leave even more distance (you should see the "painted circles" on Iowa's highway to show you how far you should be from the car in front). If driving on two lanes, maybe some stuff is kicked up into opposing traffic, or even punted by opposing traffic. But my guess is that most stuff comes from the same travel direction, esp. on divided highways.

 

Do what I do....leave the car in the garage !

When I do use my "Z" I "race tape" the wheel openings & rear brake ducts & use a C5 creations Stretchy bra on the front, keeps the bugs off. I NEVER follow anyone on the highway very close & if I'm approaching a truck of any kind I stay far away & pass them as quickly as possible.

 

Great advice by all. But, the best thing I did to prevent rock chips is install 3M Clear Bra. No more chips. I still do everything I can to avoid rocks hitting the car but the only thing at risk now is my windshield.

 

 

knock on wood or whatever, I have had no chips or knocks on my c6. I drive it about once a week. However, in my f-150 I have gone through 3 windshields in 4 years and before that I averaged a windshield every year or two over the last 15 years. My wife drives the same roads with no problem. I don't tailgate I stay away from the obvious troubles. I do drive a little fast. It seems I should get less broken windshields in the higher truck..

 

I think all good suggestions that I generally follow. Sometimes a rock will come out of nowhere, but so far I have been lucky. I have a few small windshield, and lens cover for fog and headlight dings, but nothing too bad.

I think we would all sign a petition for mandating mudflaps on SUVs and pick-up.

 

I've noticed that if people are PASSING me, I don't have any problems with rock chips. I'm more concerned with rock chips hitting my lower rockers.

I do plan on getting clear bra though.

 

I get most of my "hits" on the way into work. That's also when the majority of the gravel trucks are on the road...

I've tried staying WAY back and it just doesn't seem to help. I still get a pop at least every other week. As traffic increases I tend to abandon the highways and run the surface streets and the frontage roads. They seem to be much safer...

 

Avoid tailgating anyone. The aggressive driver will occasionally drift towards the left shoulder to take a peek at traffic holding everybody up. There's tons of crap out there.

I've also found this to be a great place to drive when you have an a-hole tailgating you. If he's got a nice car, he'll back off! Sounds like a dicky move, but don't tailgate me in the passing lane when traffic is not flowing.

 

Both of mine occured in the same county in Utah, both because they didn't decide to clean up their roads after construction. Both I had no chance of avoiding because in the first one someone cut in between me and the Corvette I was following, the 2nd was from a truck 4 lanes over.