Earlier today, I went to pull out of a restaurant parking lot in my 2022 HTC, when I saw there was a nearly 12" drop from the parking lot to the street. I could not back up and go back out the way I came in (not nearly as steep) as it was a one-way exit, and I had cars behind me. I could not swing wide and try to control for angle of approach, as somebody had just parked a Silverado HD exactly where I would have needed to maneuver. So, I ever so slowly pulled out into the roadway, and as I did, I could feel every inch of the underside of the car grinding and screeching from the front to the back as I slowly dragged the chassis across the asphalt.

On the way back to the office, everything seemed fine, the car drove normally, but I could still remember that sickening screeching sound rattling my bones. Yes, I'm sure front lift would have helped (mine doesn't have it), but not completely, not as deep an asphalt ravine as this was....

Not looking for answers. Just venting...

 

I suggest alcohol, and a lot of it.

 

that's a helluva drop.
I have to admit, I seldom go 'new' places in the Vette. It's so low and I don't want to get in a pickle. Newer areas are usually ok but patchwork old towns have all kinds of gnar going on.

 

Good chance it was just scraping against the undertray. Not really a big deal, but I'm sure it sounded terrible from inside the cabin.

 

That sucks. Sorry that happened to you.
If I saw that big of a drop, I think I would have gotten out of the car and asked those folks behind you to back up.

 

And the bottoms of the rocker panels most likely unless the undertray sits lower than them (I dont think if does).

Also not to mention any potential damage to all the torx screws holding the undertray on.

@LIE2ME Have you inspected the underside yet? At least the rocker panels' bottom paint.

Dropoffs like these should be illegal due to the damage they can do to low clearance cars IMO. Lazy lot design and grading!!

 

Ohh that sounds awful!!! We can be a PITA with our huge trucks can't we??

 

I’ve driven low cars for many years and have scraped the undercarriage of cars dozens of times.

It sounds a lot worse than it actually is. Especially considering the the C8 has an under panel underneath the whole car. I’m sure it’s fine, you’ll probably just see the plastic panel scratched up.

 

That is a sound you hope to never hear. Hopefully there was not any significant damage to the underside of your car.

 

this would have been me. flashers on, exit the car and tell them “back that **** up”.

 

Sorry to see, but you learned which way NOT to go next time. Many of us have some of these.

 

That would have been funny right there for sure.
I can imagine the other drivers honking and laughing their asses off.

 

'Sorry guys, but I would have made them back up - No way would I have caused damage. TOO many inconsiderate, uncaring people allowed to do it openly nowadays.

I had a situation in my RV at Arches National park -
First **** Superintendent lined the extremely narrow 2 lane road with boulders on the 1-3 foot shoulders to prevent parking - as if anyone could in those areas. It was windy and a 35+ gust moved me sideways (I was doing 30 at the time) and that was enough to make "contact with the boulders. A front and 1 of the rear 2 tires destroyed - Not to mention the wheels TOO. Luckily I had manufactured a spare tire carrier and used that on the front. Then I had to remove 1 of the rear wheels. People stopped, walked up next to me, took pictures and NEVER asked if everything was ok, could they assist, call someone, ... I'm self sufficient so I didn't need anything, but being a human being would have been nice. Once I triaged the situation, I had to dive 10 miles to the entrance to arrange wheel and tire replacement. To prevent any damage, l drove limped at 5 mph (limit is 35). Yes, do the math took 2 hours vs 15-20 minutes. Vehicles behind (2 lane road) honking, flashing lights, .... Yes my hazards were on, not to mention the missing wheel on the rear was most obvious, but they had NO CONSIDERATION and zoomed by when they could. Visibility is limited at times with turns so I waved them when the coast was clear, but they didn't GAS!

Moral of the story - Do what you need to (within limits) because no one appears to care much any more. Rant over. I did get dispensation from the "pope" as they say to spend 2 nights parked in the visitor center parking lot until the tires were shipped in. The Goodyear store had the wheel, but not the tires - go figure.

I know , so

 

Might appear funny but what I would do and if a one way in entrance use it or back out using that way in!

 

This really sucks. I feel for you. When you get a chance I would jack the car up and get a good luck underneath to take a look at how bad the scrape actually was.

There is the on going debate of lift or no lift. I have it, just for situations like this and have many driveways pre-programmed to lift. Not saying it would have helped in this situation, but most definitely would have scraped less. Not trying to start a debate, but this is a good example of you never know what situation you might run into. If you don't care about it scraping, then no worries.

 

I would rather deal with honking and have them laughing, than have underside of car result in unknown damage due to not wanting to be embarrassed by backing up.

 

I had a c6 gs which was the lowest car I’ve ever had. Learned real quick to scout ahead, and yes I did back out a few one way exits before I began the scouting routine.

 

Cut the engine, turn on the flashers and announce you have engine trouble. Might have to wait till the blue plate is over before backing up.

 

So sorry this happened to.you...I had a similar thing happen in my crystler ht convert. Turned off a main street in richmond va. into an allyway...Started scrapeing too..I stopped , got out of my car and explained my situation to the car behind me..They were very nice and backed up some..I backed out and went my way....

 

I would have asked everyone to backup, no matter how annoying or embarrassing it is.