My wife and I disagree on how to handle speed bumps in our Prius Cs. Here is the bottom line question. Is it perfectly all right to go over a speed bump at 35 mph (no real jarring felt in the car)? Or is it prudent to slow way down in order to avoid long term wear and tear on the vehicle?
35 MPH! Over a speed bump, that is terrible for any car. I would not even do it in my Jeep Wrangler. Why would she do this? This just flexes the body and over time can mess up the suspension.
My stomach just cringed. 35mph! I see people jet over those things all the time and I think to myself, poor suspension. Speed bump isn't just some random name given to those damn things, ha! Grab the keys and tell her that public transportation is a perfectly good way to get around.
There's no problem to ramming them. Going real slow over some of these bumps can bottom out some cars. You will cause more wear and tear to your suspension and cv joints and it is a jolt to the tires, overall just a harsher treatment. If you concede that you will replace those components anyways, then who cares?
Why are you guys assuming it's the wife that thinks or wants to go over the speed bumps at 35 mph? I've read the OP's post several times He just say's he and his wife disagree, but he doesn't say who is using which approach. Therefore, I say, if it's the wife that wants to slow down.....she's absolutely right. If it's the wife that wants to take them at 35 mph.....she's absolutely right...but you should both have separate cars and separate maintenance accounts.
Thanks for the replies. The speed bump in question is at the bottom between 2 small hills. So, slowing down causes one to lose momentum gathered by going down one hill; this then necessitates hitting the gas pedal to go up the next hill. So, fuel economy gets affected.
35 seems a little excessive. Per the FHWA "There are several designs for speed humps. The traditional 12-foot hump has a design speed of 15 to 20 mph, a 14-foot one a few mph higher, and a 22-foot table, of 25 to 30 mph."
Sounds like something I always say: "I wear the pants in my family, and I have the wives permission to say so" Having said that though, I wouldn't subject my C to a 35MPH trip across a speed bump even if the better half said to.
Speed bumps vary wildly in construction; some are very mild and others are very strong. If the height to width is low its perhaps easy to go 35 mph across it but if its very great you better not drive over 5 mph if you value your car, indeed any car. It depends on how fast and how much you compress the suspension springs and shocks. So just what kind of a speed bump are you talking about ?
Again how tall is the speed bump and how much is the 'ramp' on either side of the top? If its an inch high and has a 10 degree ramp either side not a problem. If its 5" high with a 60 degree ramp. can I video your crossing it at 35 mph ? Out of curiosity why is a speed bump between two hills ?
It was placed there because children used to play in the area and folks were speeding. I'll measure the height. Again, thanks for the input.
And if the kids still play there supposedly close to the road its OK to whiz thru at 35 mph? Don't forget to measure thangle of the ramps too.
Speed humps are usually placed in neighborhoods for this reason. How do you know for sure that children do not play in the area any more? My first thought was that you are willing to risk the safety of others to save mpg? Really?
i creep over them, no idea what damage is done to the car at various higher speeds. i wish we had one in front of our house!
Under no circumstances would we whiz past if there were kids. This is a highly rural area. Usually there is nobody around at all.
heck only 35mph over a speed bump, I do 65mph on my speed bumps...the faster over them the better but wow, 35mph is way too excessive...they're called speed bumps for a reason and put in areas that want drivers to drive 5-10mph for a reason
^^Sooooo, who is the speed racer over the bumps? Inquiring minds wanna know. I got some bets going on in the private chat and gotta know how to pay out.
