Your BMW’s undercarriage or underbody is one of the most vulnerable parts of the vehicle. While the car’s body may be protected by paint and carefully designed panels, the underbody is rather less extensively protected, partly because it isn’t generally visible. Taking steps to care for and protect this part of the car can therefore prevent unexpected damage and unwanted, costly repair bills.
After a long journey, particularly if there is any off-road element, the underside of the car can become very dirty and clogged with vegetation and/or earth. You should aim to clean this off as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the parts underneath. Cleaning the underbody of the car can be tricky at home, particularly if you don’t have the means to elevate the car and inspect underneath. In most cases, it is better to take the car to your local service department, where they can steam-clean the vehicle’s underbody for you. Jet-washing the underbody of your car should be avoided, as this can cause damage.
A longer-term solution is to have the underbody treated for rust prevention. Rust can cause serious damage to the undercarriage of the car, and may go unnoticed for a long time because of the location. There are various rust prevention solutions on the market, most of which should be applied professionally. You should never attempt to work on the underside of the car yourself unless you have a safe means to do so. The BMW of Freehold service department will be able to apply a rust-preventing seal to the car’s undercarriage.
If you drive an older car, you should also ask your service department to check for traces of rust on a regular basis. Of course, the way in which you drive your car can also contribute to the condition of its underbody. Avoid driving through deep puddles or flooded roads to prevent the undercarriage from becoming submerged. Drive slowly on rocky or hazardous terrain to prevent impact damage to the underside of the car. Avoid driving over obstacles in the road which may become lodged or tangled up on the undercarriage.
Your car’s undercarriage may be out of sight, but it should never be out of mind. Your car can be surprisingly vulnerable from underneath. If you want to avoid expensive repair bills, you should consider taking the appropriate preventive measures with BMW of Freehold.
