Sport mode suspension vs. potholes

yankee · 05-21-2019, 12:59 PM

Hi! Since I live in Toronto, there's nothing but potholes everywhere, very hard to avoid all of them.

So the question is... can they do damage to the car? Hitting even a small pothole or sewer feels like emergency landing a plane so... how bad is it?

Thanks!

CCS71 · 05-21-2019, 01:16 PM

Not sure you can completely place blame on the suspension.
Since you have the RS package, I assume you have the runflats on a 20 inch wheel?
The stiff sidewalls on runflat tires are very unforgiving on road imperfections.

As for damage, potholes can wreak havoc on any car. Can't attest to potholes having a higher likelihood of eating up a Camaro.

cellsafemode · 05-21-2019, 01:24 PM

any large 20 inch or greater rim suffers much more from road damage due to the low profile tires that are almost always installed on them. If the tire can't absorb a significant amount of the blunt force trauma the wheel sees, the likelihood of your rim getting bent just skyrockets. This is especially a problem for larger wheels that are naturally more susceptible to being bent just due to the weaker structure by having a larger diameter and soft material (aluminum)

Looks sometimes runs contrary to practicality.

yankee · 05-21-2019, 02:19 PM

Very helpful info guys, I didn't know that. So going with 19 would be better? I was thinking to change my tires anyway or have a summer/winter set so this sounds good.

But beyond the tires bending... can the potholes do damage to the car? I am not so technical so that's why I am not very specific, sorry.

Yanniz · 05-21-2019, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankee

Very helpful info guys, I didn't know that. So going with 19 would be better? I was thinking to change my tires anyway or have a summer/winter set so this sounds good.

But beyond the tires bending... can the potholes do damage to the car? I am not so technical so that's why I am not very specific, sorry.

Ask the corvette guys😊. Bent rims etc. yes, potholes are not good for wheels, tires, bottoming our suspension parts, etc. Avoid as many as you can at any cost

Emoto · 05-21-2019, 03:01 PM

I am in New England, so have similarly "good" roads. I tend to keep my tires inflated to a slightly higher number than the door sticker, in the hopes of preventing a dented wheel.

Started doing this years ago on motorcycles when BMW alloy motorcycle wheels were really soft and bent easily. A lot of guys started running tire pressures up toward what the max was that the tire was rated for.

Of course, the more pressure, the lower the grip, to some extent, so you don't want to go too far, but a little extra pressure will help prevent a dented wheel.

Also, when it is bumpy, you can use the touring setting and that will soften up the damping, which also helps.

GroundhogSS · 05-21-2019, 04:53 PM

Sales guy told me the MRC can get damaged with hard impacts, especially in track mode. From their sales indoctrination when the gen 6 came out. As if you never hit anything on the track.

ItsChristianInHD · 05-21-2019, 05:11 PM

I’m gonna switch to non-run flats when I need tires. Ohio roads suck ass but I’m not staying here much longer. The RS is pretty rough but too me it’s not unbearable.

dpevans · 05-21-2019, 06:47 PM

I have a 2016 RS with 20s and with the sport tune suspension and 20 run flats you feel every bump and yes pot holes suck but I am 58 and have only ever bent one rim on a pothole. It does happen just try and avoid them.

HCI2000SS · 05-21-2019, 07:17 PM

Try driving here in Michigan...especially in places like Detroit or Flint. Talk about bad roads lol. I have a 18 RS V6 with the 20" wheels, and so far so good, but I'm always very aware of the road.

yankee · 05-22-2019, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsChristianInHD

I’m gonna switch to non-run flats when I need tires. Ohio roads suck ass but I’m not staying here much longer. The RS is pretty rough but too me it’s not unbearable.

Yes, I think I will do that too for the next set. I might even get 19 for better acceleration also. I am constantly trying to avoid them but some just "jump in front of you" (night, rain, car in front of you...)

ItsChristianInHD · 05-22-2019, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankee

Yes, I think I will do that too for the next set. I might even get 19 for better acceleration also. I am constantly trying to avoid them but some just "jump in front of you" (night, rain, car in front of you...)

You are right on. I honestly swerve everywhere on the road to avoid as many as possible. In some areas I have to drive really slow. Austintown/Youngstown are the worst roads I have ever seen. My home town is terrible to.

05-21-2019, 12:59 PM	#1
yankee Drives: 2018 Camaro LT RS, 2015 Mazda 3 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Toronto Posts: 388	Sport mode suspension vs. potholes Hi! Since I live in Toronto, there's nothing but potholes everywhere, very hard to avoid all of them. So the question is... can they do damage to the car? Hitting even a small pothole or sewer feels like emergency landing a plane so... how bad is it? Thanks!

05-21-2019, 01:16 PM	#2
CCS71 LFX to LT1 Drives: 2017 Camaro Fifty 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Anne Arundel county, MD Posts: 234	Not sure you can completely place blame on the suspension. Since you have the RS package, I assume you have the runflats on a 20 inch wheel? The stiff sidewalls on runflat tires are very unforgiving on road imperfections. As for damage, potholes can wreak havoc on any car. Can't attest to potholes having a higher likelihood of eating up a Camaro. __________________ 2013 Rally Yellow 1LT - Traded 2017 Camaro Fifty 2SS; Sequence #270 - Sunroof/Nav/NPP/MRC/6speed

05-21-2019, 03:01 PM	#6
Emoto Sure, why not? Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS, Jeep JKU Rubicon Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: SE Mass Posts: 1,538	I am in New England, so have similarly "good" roads. I tend to keep my tires inflated to a slightly higher number than the door sticker, in the hopes of preventing a dented wheel. Started doing this years ago on motorcycles when BMW alloy motorcycle wheels were really soft and bent easily. A lot of guys started running tire pressures up toward what the max was that the tire was rated for. Of course, the more pressure, the lower the grip, to some extent, so you don't want to go too far, but a little extra pressure will help prevent a dented wheel. Also, when it is bumpy, you can use the touring setting and that will soften up the damping, which also helps. __________________ This is that witty and clever statement that makes you chuckle.

05-21-2019, 04:53 PM	#7
GroundhogSS Drives: '17 2SS convertible'20 Yukon Denali Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 2,934	Sales guy told me the MRC can get damaged with hard impacts, especially in track mode. From their sales indoctrination when the gen 6 came out. As if you never hit anything on the track. __________________ Richard 2017 2SS SIM convertible, A8, NPP, MRC, 56R wheels, GM CAI, Diode Dynamics Side Markers Delivered: 08/15/2016 #TeamBeckyD

05-21-2019, 01:24 PM	#3
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	any large 20 inch or greater rim suffers much more from road damage due to the low profile tires that are almost always installed on them. If the tire can't absorb a significant amount of the blunt force trauma the wheel sees, the likelihood of your rim getting bent just skyrockets. This is especially a problem for larger wheels that are naturally more susceptible to being bent just due to the weaker structure by having a larger diameter and soft material (aluminum) Looks sometimes runs contrary to practicality.

05-21-2019, 02:19 PM	#4
yankee Drives: 2018 Camaro LT RS, 2015 Mazda 3 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Toronto Posts: 388	Very helpful info guys, I didn't know that. So going with 19 would be better? I was thinking to change my tires anyway or have a summer/winter set so this sounds good. But beyond the tires bending... can the potholes do damage to the car? I am not so technical so that's why I am not very specific, sorry.

05-21-2019, 05:11 PM	#8
ItsChristianInHD Drives: 2017 Camaro 2LT RS 3.6L Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Orange Park, Florida Posts: 1,313	I’m gonna switch to non-run flats when I need tires. Ohio roads suck ass but I’m not staying here much longer. The RS is pretty rough but too me it’s not unbearable.

05-21-2019, 06:47 PM	#9
dpevans Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,208	I have a 2016 RS with 20s and with the sport tune suspension and 20 run flats you feel every bump and yes pot holes suck but I am 58 and have only ever bent one rim on a pothole. It does happen just try and avoid them.

05-21-2019, 07:17 PM	#10
HCI2000SS Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: MI Posts: 1,596	Try driving here in Michigan...especially in places like Detroit or Flint. Talk about bad roads lol. I have a 18 RS V6 with the 20" wheels, and so far so good, but I'm always very aware of the road.

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