The auto service you need after hitting a curb

We’ve all experienced the unexpected jolt that occurs when you hit a curb. Most people assume this is just a tiny bump in the road with little to no repercussions. You might get a scratch here or a ding there, but nothing worth worrying about, right? It’s true that this is a common and small driving mistake, but did you know that coming in contact with a curb can do some major damages to your car? These damages may not be visible at first glance, but the consequences can be severe. Therefore, we picked the brains of our Orlando Toyota service staff to give you the inside scoop on the dangers of curb hitting and what auto service you’ll need after and why.

Potential damages to your Orlando Toyota 

If you come to that fateful meeting day of car and curb, we encourage you to not ignore it! After hitting a curb you’ll need to stop by our auto service center to have an inspection so minor damages don’t turn into major ones. The most common issues our certified technicians see are:

• Tire wear damage: You might think that if you hit the curb when driving slow, 5-10 mph, you’re in the clear, but your car can still experience some serious tire wear damage. This damage can occur as little as 200 miles after curb impact. You’ll want to have your tires inspected immediately, not only for safety reasons but also to get the best fuel efficiency out of your car. 
• Tie rods: Your tie rods are responsible for connecting your steering system and your car’s wheels. Hitting a curb can severely impact these rods and affect your overall steering abilities. This is especially important to pay attention to in fall when roads are slick from increased rain.  
• Steering knuckle: The spindle or wheel hub is contained within your car’s steering knuckle and attaches to your steering components. If your car experiences damage to the steering knuckle this will impact your ability to steer properly as well as your car’s suspension. 
• Control arms: The control arms of your car permit your suspension to move up and down while keeping the knuckles, spindles, and axles in place. The jarring that comes with hitting a curb will most likely cause severe damages to the control arms and the suspension of your vehicle. 

What Orlando auto service you’ll need

The most likely auto service you’ll need is an alignment check. This check-up is a small expense in comparison to the money and miles that it can save you. If we find that you do need a wheel alignment, you’ll be assured maximum fuel efficiency, no costly future repairs, and restored confidence in your ride.

If you end up getting up close and personal with a curb make sure to call our Toyota of Orlando service center at (407) 298-4500 to schedule an appointment for an inspection right away! Our experienced technicians know all of the tell-tale signs of a vehicle suffering from curb damage and will get you taken care of right away to help you avoid expensive repairs down the road. We are open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road. Safe travels!