Car's Front Bumper Too Low Going up Apartment Ramp and Getting Scratch - Fixes?

innov on 17/03/2019 - 20:54

I moved into a new apartment complex and the exit ramp is fairly steep (maybe 40-45 degree incline) plus there is an 5 cm lift before I get on the on ramp. My poor 2015 Toyota Corolla has the issue of getting the front bumper getting scratched each time before the front wheels gets over that lift. No modifications made to the car and was bought new.

So I'm looking at some suggestions from OB community with modifications to my Corolla. One way was going to Pedder, get new suspension and shock absorbers to get it lifted and a friend suggested getting 18 inch tyres and that may negate the issue?

Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • Godric on 17/03/2019 - 21:01
    +2

    Get rid of the bumper

    • JIMB0 on 18/03/2019 - 09:40

      It will wear in eventually.

  • p1 ama on 17/03/2019 - 21:09
    +14

    maybe 40-45 degree incline

    I can't tell if you seriously think it's 40 - 45 degrees. That's well over twice as steep as the world's steepest road. Your 2015 Corolla would almost certainly be going backwards on that incline even with your foot to the metal.

    • serpserpserp on 17/03/2019 - 21:13
      +12

      Mate maybe YOU don't understand how fully sick Corolla's are. He could do 140kmph up that ramp easily.

      OP: What you need to do is get your car LOWERED and a wing put on the rear and just hit that ramp at the right speed (probably about 40 to 60kmph should do it) and you'll glide right up that baby.

      • innov on 17/03/2019 - 21:20
        +9

        Was contemplating to at least putting in speed holes, makes the car go faster.

    • innov on 17/03/2019 - 21:18

      It's guesswork not certain on the incline but it is enough that when going up the ramp that my car did start sliding back twice and was losing traction with foot on the metal. It could well be that today it was raining with water on the right hand side of the ramp causing the lost traction.

      • endotherm on 17/03/2019 - 22:16

        Yeah, slicks will do that…

      • Zachary on 18/03/2019 - 11:45
        +1

        Mate use a protractor to measure the angle please.

      • HighAndDry on 18/03/2019 - 13:30
        +2

        That seems dangerous, not just for yourself but for other cars on the road and pedestrians… Can we get a photo? I'm now incredibly curious how it looks in real life.

  • steff on 17/03/2019 - 21:35

    maybe 40-45 degree incline

    lol

    In all seriousness though OP, slow right down (like really, slow down) when getting on/off the incline. Try angled, if still no, go as perpendicular as possible.

    going up the ramp that my car did start sliding back twice

    Use the handbrake. Brake to stop > Handbrake on > build up revs (about 1500ish) > release handbrake

    • innov on 17/03/2019 - 22:00
      +1

      I'm new to the apartment and won't be back there until this Thursday but now I feel like taking a photo of the ramp just to prove I'm not a loony about the incline ramp lol.

      In all seriousness though OP, slow right down (like really, slow down) when getting on/off the incline. Try angled, if still no, go as perpendicular as possible.

      Yeah I've slowed down and tried to get as straight as possible then run up the ramp, once I felt I was losing traction I reversed back to the base and gave myself enough distance to use the momentum to go up the ramp.

      Use the handbrake. Brake to stop > Handbrake on > build up revs (about 1500ish) > release handbrake

      I tried that the second go but I actually didn't do the brake to stop then hand brake. Will give it another crack when I'm at the car park this Thursday.

      I guess it's all trial and error with this ramp who is slowly becoming my arch nemesis haha

      • endotherm on 17/03/2019 - 22:22
        +1

        While you're doing photos, how about a ruler between the road and your bumper showing the clearance.

      • p1 ama on 19/03/2019 - 00:38
        +2

        I'm new to the apartment and won't be back there until this Thursday but now I feel like taking a photo of the ramp just to prove I'm not a loony about the incline ramp lol.

        There's absolutely no chance (zero) that it's 40 - 45 degrees. I don't think you realise how steep that is. At that angle, it will be almost impossible for your car to move forward (nothing to do with its power, just likely the tyres will not have enough grip).

        Suppose your Corolla weighs 1500kg, there will be a force of mgsin(45) ~ 10,500 N (so 1050g's) pulling you downwards and your reaction force will be cos(45) = 0.71 times what it would be on a flat surface.

        Given that the Corolla has towing capacity of 1300 kg on flat ground with the full grip of its tyres, then if only 71% of that grip is actually available due to the incline, then its towing capacity goes down to 923 kg. Therefore, it will not be able to pull itself up with the equivalent of 1050 kg pulling it down the ramp.

        TL;DR, it's definitely not 40 - 45 degrees.

        • pegaxs on 19/03/2019 - 10:15

          I agree. 20 degrees is steep. A lot of 4x4 wouldn’t even be able to do 45 degree incline.

          +1 for the excellent maths, p1

          • Zachary on 19/03/2019 - 23:26

            @pegaxs: Well then they're the shite kind if they can't even climb up a 45 degree hill or mountain incline……hahahahaha

            What if you wanna camp at the top of that hill up there? Oh no the incline is 60 degrees, shit my car can't get up…….oh well, so much for buying in on a 4 wheeler for offroad driving…….. :\

            • pegaxs on 20/03/2019 - 08:23
              +1

              @Zachary: Well, considering that most average off the shelf 4wd vehicles have a 25~30 degree approach and departure angles, most of them wouldn't even be able to get on a 45 degree incline.

              Most 4wd vehicles with climb angle gauges in them only go up to about 40 degrees. Depending on the surface you are climbing and the length of the climb, most 4wd vehicles would have a very hard time climbing any surface at 45 degrees, regardless of how much you bro off about how awesome your 4wd is.

              As for 60, please…

              InB4: Well, my mates rock crawler… 'Cause the whole family can go on holiday in the rock crawler that is your daily drive…

              • Zachary on 20/03/2019 - 12:58

                @pegaxs: That's what big tires and lifted height is for…..

                …if not can always just get a monster truck……and drive around in that…..or a tank, tank works too, their threaded belts excel in off-road terrain or well really excel in gripping anything really I guess…..

                ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

                • pegaxs on 20/03/2019 - 12:59

                  @Zachary: It's solved then. Op should trade the Corolla in for a tank :D

                  • Zachary on 20/03/2019 - 16:47

                    @pegaxs: I hear a tank is good investment property….I wouldn't mind a tank myself either……casually driving down the road with one…..or going off road and climbing that 60 degree incline….and finally camp at the top of that hill, yeah!

                    Also go with a light tank(Or the lightest there are, because light tanks are faster and more mobile than the heavier counterparts….), medium and heavy and super heavy ones aren't really worth it unless you have a personal grudge against someone who also happens to own a tank of their own and likes to practice Sensha-dō on you….

                    • endotherm on 20/03/2019 - 18:57

                      @Zachary: Very hard to put in speed holes, to make the tank go faster :).

                      • Zachary on 21/03/2019 - 02:12

                        @endotherm: A GAU-8 Avenger 30mm rotary cannon might be able to help with that, if not could always fire one 406mm round from an Iowa class battleship or equivalent….or the rod from god, that would work too….albeit maybe overkill, but you wanted a hole right? There is no kill like overkill!

  • pjetson on 17/03/2019 - 21:37

    I noticed recently that some buses have plates welded to the chassis on each side at the back, presumably to stop the bumper or the chassis itself from scraping against the road on inclines. Maybe you could so something similar at the front of your Corolla?

    • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2019 - 22:11
      +12

      Common item at the motor rally shop 😂

      "Ah, what car would that be for, sir? WRX? Evo?"

      "Corolla…"

      "Interesting, interesting… Where abouts are you taking it?"

      "Second floor…"

      "…"

      • HighAndDry on 18/03/2019 - 13:32

        "Second floor…"

        "Yeah I'm not sure I've got a stair-kit for that model…"

  • bdl on 17/03/2019 - 21:44

    lift kit https://youtu.be/wPgZ7PO-fo4?t=78

    • Euphemistic on 17/03/2019 - 22:44
      +1

      Cool, but some people shouldn’t be allowed to hold a camera.

  • Toons on 17/03/2019 - 22:00
    +6

    Get the complex to fix it, if a standard car can't get in and out without damage then they need to do something about it. You can't be the only one and if they won't fix it, tell them when you get the damage fixed the insurance company will be seeking cost from the body corporate or strata manager for the complex.

    They need to provide acceptable access and egress

    if you a car that had been lowered and custom bodywork I'd say tough luck but it's unacceptable for the complex to not do anything about it. why should you be modifying your car because of dodgy work by the builder.

    • innov on 17/03/2019 - 22:22
      +1

      That's a good point, even those rubber ramps just to help it gradually get onto the ramp would stop the scraping.

    • whooah1979 on 17/03/2019 - 23:48

      Gutters in NSW are approved by councils. If it's good enough for the council then it's good enough for the BC.

    • HighAndDry on 18/03/2019 - 13:32

      This is getting a lot of upvotes, but the part of the driveway that meets the road is council property, not strata.

      • Toons on 18/03/2019 - 13:50

        Then you can go to the council they have an obligation to provide safe roads, why do you think potholes are fixed the second someone damages their car going over it they know it's their responsibility and they don't want to pay out any more claims than they have to.

        I've had my car damaged by main roads work before and they when they are wrong they cop it and the fix is in place before anyone else is effected.

        So it doesn't really matter at the end of the day someone be it main roads, council or BC to arrange the fix with appropriate party it's still anyone other than OP to be responsible for paying up to alter a normal registered roadworthy car.

        Also the fact he is loosing traction once heading up is another concern which needs to be addressed.

        So this is either a completely screwed up driveway or OP is driving the worlds worst Corolla badly

        • whooah1979 on 18/03/2019 - 19:36

          he is loosing traction once heading up

          That's because the tyres are bald.

  • daewoo on 17/03/2019 - 22:02
    +2

    Surely you can drive out one wheel at a time rather than driving head on into the driveway/road. Copy what your neighbours do and repeat.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2019 - 22:08
    +5

    a friend suggested getting 18 inch tyres

    Your friend should realise that the rolling diameter needs to be almost identical to stock. So this makes absolutely no difference to your approach angle. (Bigger rims, lower profile tires, same overall diameter)

    Getting the car lifted is a rather costly exercise because it depreciates your car and makes it worse to drive. May be worthwhile considering changing to a car with a better approach angle if you're staying there long term.

  • Euphemistic on 17/03/2019 - 22:13
    +2

    I’d love to see a corolla with a lift kit or airbag suspension.

    Putting on 18” wheels probably wouldn’t make much difference as to meet the design rules must remain within the allowed diameter - or you’ll need to get it engineered.

    Actually, get air bagged suspension, then when you pull up at the max as drive through you can dump the car on the ground and cruise in looking fully sick.

  • serpserpserp on 17/03/2019 - 22:29
    +3

    Oh we also need a MS Paint

  • spackbace on 17/03/2019 - 22:41
    +3

    Are you taking it at an angle? Not straight on?

    Pretty sure you should be able to get a Corolla up any incline, with the right method

    • Broke-Ken on 17/03/2019 - 22:56
      +1

      Was going to mention this as well, OP needs to enter it at an angle.

      Learn from people who live with lowered cars LOL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhq7McZKRqY

      • spackbace on 17/03/2019 - 22:56

        Yeah I've had a car on superlows, and have driven other lowered cars. A Corolla's front bumper should be a non-issue

  • blitz on 17/03/2019 - 23:25

    Any wheel that substantially lifts the car will also distort the reading of the speedometer and odometer.

    • Presence on 18/03/2019 - 06:54

      It's not even an option. Bigger tyres won't physically fit.

  • dcep on 18/03/2019 - 00:48
    +1

    pump tires to 42psi and angling it over 1 wheel at a time

  • cille745 on 18/03/2019 - 01:48

    My car's relatively low and the general procedure is to go across the driveway as parallel as possible, least likely to scrape it that way

    • Euphemistic on 18/03/2019 - 06:44

      Ken Block style? Not sure if you know what parallax means, or you are referring to the centre line of the car when everyone else is referring to the line of the bumper - and that you should hit it at an angle

      • cille745 on 18/03/2019 - 10:02
        +1

        Most people take driveways head on and do a 90 degree turn. OP should approach as parallel to the gutter as possible and drive in at a small angle, then when both wheels are on the driveway they can then full lock and drive in

  • subydooby on 18/03/2019 - 08:01

    Buy an SUV/4WD, they are all the rage right now…

  • backpaqer on 18/03/2019 - 08:31
    +3

    Give it a couple of weeks. By then your bumper should be sanded back far enough it no longer scrapes ;)

  • Micko179 on 18/03/2019 - 09:44
    +4

    It's a no brainer…approach the driveway at an extremely a cute angle(near parallel to the Gutter) then turn your Steering full lock so the wheels hit the Gutter/Ramp before the rest of the Car. (have had Lowered/Muscle cars my whole life) so do this daily… Even when I'm in my Hybrid Camry(Lowered with 19's)…

    • Euphemistic on 18/03/2019 - 12:18
      -1

      Just got to watch the back end doesn’t take a short cut up and over the gutter or take out a signpost.

      • Micko179 on 19/03/2019 - 10:00

        Do you have 4 wheel steering?! 🤔

        • Euphemistic on 19/03/2019 - 12:18

          The rear wheels do not take the same path as the front, they cut the corner. If you go in ‘near parallel to the gutter’ and turn to early the rear wheels will hit the curb. Often there is a signs or other things adjacent to driveways

          • Micko179 on 20/03/2019 - 10:54

            @Euphemistic: Do you usually have trouble negotiating corners too?! 🤔

            • Euphemistic on 20/03/2019 - 11:45

              @Micko179: No, I don’t but other people who can’t work out how to enter a driveway might.

  • andyhui01 on 18/03/2019 - 10:42

    I'd be concerned if a stock Corolla scrapes (I assume you aren't going 40kph into the ramp). This means half the cars in the complex would have the same problem.

  • Snoozer on 18/03/2019 - 12:23
    +1

    Lose some weight.

  • Nickels n Dimes on 18/03/2019 - 13:58

    The maximum vehicle ramp gradient is 1:4 (25% / 14degrees); it also requires a transition length at each change of angle, maximum 1:8.
    There's no possibility of the ramp being 40 degree incline, but it might still have been built illegally even on a new building.
    You can check the angles with a Bubble Level app on your phone.

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