Tips on driving a 348 over speed bumps? | FerrariChat

Tips on driving a 348 over speed bumps?

Discussion in '348/355' started by 2DUCKS, Feb 24, 2006.

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  1. 2DUCKS

    2DUCKS Karting

    Feb 20, 2006
    132
    California
    Full Name:
    K
    I'm in the process of looking for a 348, but this question comes to mind as I noticed all of the 348 and 355's I've seen for sale have speed bumps scratches on their under carriage. Some are light scratches while others are very deep gashes to the metal frame.

    I'm only asking, because darn it, the city has placed two speed bumps in my neighborhood that I must go over to get into my garage (no way around this). These are pretty high speed bumps that cover the entire width of the road! I'm starting to see these speed bumps in more and more residential neighborhood nowadays, at least in CA that is. Even at my location of employment they've got these things all around the campus that one cannot avoid.

    So how does one navigate such a vehicle over these monters? Or will F owners just have to get used to the fact, you will chip/scratch the underside of your vehicle when attempting to go over them?

    I've also noticed some speed bumps are much higher than others. Then there are some that are low, but longer in length. I'm only beginning to take speed bumps more seriously now that I'm in the market for a 348!

    Your insights/lessons learned/tips would be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. fmomen

    fmomen Karting

    Oct 4, 2004
    239
    india
    Full Name:
    faisal
    I just drive my car over the bumps at an angle, one wheel at a time. Works fine:no issues
     
  3. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
    Full Name:
    Jeff B.
    Just for some information on this subject from the old FChat archives, see:

    http://70.85.40.84/~ferrari/discus/messages/256120/195709.html

    There is a picture in there of the "sectioned" front spoiler on my 348. I almost never have problems with speed bumps, and I'm careful when parking next to curbs, but I still bottom out the front end once in a while when I hit dips in the road at speed. You can get skid plates ("horse shoes") to help protect the underside.
     
  4. tjacoby

    tjacoby F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,857
    Vancouver Canada
    Full Name:
    tj
    it's the driveways that cause me grief.

    I've had my 348 for almost a full year now - good luck on the search, they're a lot of fun!
     
  5. traimpz348

    traimpz348 Formula 3

    Apr 13, 2004
    1,568
    Avon,CT
    Full Name:
    Matthew
    My only advice for driving over speed bumps is don't.
     
  6. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
    Full Name:
    Bill Tracy
    The typical speed bumps that are about 5" high and 12" across are okay if you are not braking as you go over them. You don't want the front end to be dipping as you pass across. Just go idle speed as you approach and you should be okay. Also, make sure the car is not lowered or you will likely bottom out. Dips at driveways are more problematic. The more angle you cut into the turn, the easier you will make the crossing without incident. We have almost no dip at my house so I can just roll right up. At a mechanic's shop I had to enter and exit about 30 degrees from being parallel to the street to avoid bottoming out a the curb.
    :)
    BT
     
  7. MDshore348

    MDshore348 Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2004
    2,460
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Darron
    if you hit the speed bumps at 50 mph or more , you wont notice the rubbing.
     
  8. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    Don't have a 348 but, after having to repair damage to the fuel tank, which is protected from all directions except the bottom on our t coupe, all I can say is AMEN.
    John
     
  9. NYCFERRARIS

    NYCFERRARIS Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2004
    1,011
    firstly, remove everything from the front compartment of the car. .. kick out any passenger / ballast you might have ( " so whats a little rain..you gonna melt..hey my ferrari is getting wet!) Go real crazy slow at an angle ..ignore obscene remarks and honking from the rear. smile at gawkers and onlookers..."feel" for the touch of the crown of the speed bump. if it starts to drag, your choice go slow and cringe, or get out and lift the car body up enough to extend the suspension as needed... for driveways I do keep little ramps in the trunk ( yes I am not kidding)...my buddy borrowed my car and smashed the front spoiler and cracked it but it is really not a spoiler...it is an entire unified belly pan and it is expensive..looking to fabricate sacrificial skid plates sometime this winter. lots of info here on this for a TR.
     
  10. Ciao Bello 348

    Ciao Bello 348 Formula 3

    Oct 3, 2005
    1,844
    The Garden State, US
    Full Name:
    John C
    Ive had to take my 348 over parking lot type speed bumps all the time. Go slow and at an angle. I do that on pretty much ANY car i drive, just habit. Havent met a speed bump yet I "shook hands" with.

    BTW, my 348 Spider is for sale if youre in the market. PM me and I can get you some info if thats one of the cars youre considering. Its mint.
     
  11. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

    Oct 29, 2004
    5,379
    NWA
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I thought that any car that was federally approved, should not be impeded from travel on public roads. If your car has not been lowered, I would kindy ask the city to fix thier little problem so you can drive your DOT approved car on them.
     

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