# Ran my car over a concrete parking block **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 26, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091 "2018-11-26T01:52:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![MattDHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@MattDHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattDHat)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/61 "2018-11-28T19:53:05Z")
Measure the distance from the tires on the wrong side of the bumper to the top of the bumper plus 2 inches. Call that distance X. Get a 6x12 board 2x feet in length, saw in half to create 2 X long boards. Jack up each side of the car, one side at a time. Wedge a board under the car between tires that went over the bumper and the edge of the bumper. Back (?) car up onto boards, than punch it half way up to “jump” the car far enough to not hit the undercarriage that is in front of the tires as you come off. Cheaper than the AAA curb cost. Given your inclination, keep boards in trunk for next time! ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/62 "2018-11-28T22:07:30Z")
Gonna add to the (good-natured) insults, with a crack from Bill Maher. Not a car. And not smart. Imagine a shoving match with an SUV or a PU truck…perhaps this is an attention-getting (seems to have your attention) message from the Great God GMC. Dan ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/63 "2018-11-28T22:18:04Z")
> [@MattDHat](#): > > Measure the distance from the tires on the wrong side of the bumper to the top of the bumper plus 2 inches. Call that distance X. Get a 6x12 board 2x feet in length, saw in half to create 2 X long boards. Jack up each side of the car, one side at a time. Wedge a board under the car between tires that went over the bumper and the edge of the bumper. Back (?) car up onto boards, than punch it half way up to “jump” the car far enough to not hit the undercarriage that is in front of the tires as you come off. Cheaper than the AAA curb cost. Given your inclination, keep boards in trunk for next time! I liked that this post was labeled “Simplest solution”. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/64 "2018-11-28T22:37:31Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I liked that this post was labeled “Simplest solution”. Yup, the simplest solution is to buy a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/65 "2018-11-28T22:40:53Z")
The simplest solution is to do what he’s doing: walk away. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/66 "2018-11-28T22:45:39Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > The simplest solution is to do what he’s doing: walk away. 😉 Walk? This is America!!! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/67 "2018-11-28T22:52:40Z")
Maybe a friend\* with a large PU truck and ramps for a 4-wheeler can come and winch the car on to the ramps and up in the truck bed and drive you home. Put the ramps back on and drive it to the ground. (\* should be a red-necked friend) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/68 "2018-11-29T01:42:25Z")
Car is freed! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/69 "2018-11-29T02:20:58Z")
Yay! I knew the little thing would make it.🙂 How did it get off it’s pedestal? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/70 "2018-11-29T02:23:10Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Car is freed! After all of this, the least you could do is tell us how you did it. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/71 "2018-11-29T03:09:17Z")
I imagine it went something like this. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vIzQyskCEPs/maxresdefault.jpg "BEST ENDING EVER - FREE WILLY") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIzQyskCEPs) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/72 "2018-11-29T04:03:29Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > After all of this, the least you could do is tell us how you did it. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Yay! I knew the little thing would make it.🙂 > How did it get off it’s pedestal? Pretty much what some here suggested. The AAA guy constructed a makeshift platform/wedge to get the car off and then slowly backed it up/off. But the SmartCar now has a …“loose” feeling to it, when braking or driving. Going to get it inspected. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/73 "2018-11-29T04:50:14Z")
Yep, I think I would too. Let us know. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/74 "2018-11-29T04:53:58Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > But the SmartCar now has a …“loose” feeling to it That’s because it doesn’t have a wedge of concrete under it. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/75 "2018-11-29T14:52:23Z")
Don’t let them give you shit about your car. My sister has a Smart, and you’d never know from driving it that it was so small (except for lack of legroom). Perfectly capable on the around town and on the interstate. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/76 "2018-11-29T15:58:55Z")
Glad to hear your car is mobile again and that you’re getting it checked out. To avoid a re-occurrence, consider [getting a car that not only beats the Smart in fuel efficiency, but that you can haul around like a wheeled carry-on if necessary](https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/peel-p50-the-worlds-smallest-car-is-back/). Sure it only goes 28 miles per hour, but it’ll never get high centered on a parking block. You can also [literally drive it to your office](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo). Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/77 "2018-11-29T16:41:29Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Don’t let them give you shit about your car. My sister has a Smart, and you’d never know from driving it that it was so small (except for lack of legroom). Perfectly capable on the around town and on the interstate. “Yes, I do live in a Porta-Potty, but you’d be surprised how roomy it is inside.” ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/78 "2018-11-29T18:59:08Z")
I bet its like the Tardis. Come to find out, the lil’wrekker has been hankering for a SmartCar. She’s the short legged one in the family. I told her it’s not enough room for all the junk she hauls around. Her laundry wouldn’t even fit. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/79 "2018-11-30T12:56:40Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > Glad to hear your car is mobile again and that you’re getting it checked out. To avoid a re-occurrence, consider [getting a car that not only beats the Smart in fuel efficiency, but that you can haul around like a wheeled carry-on if necessary](https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/peel-p50-the-worlds-smallest-car-is-back/). Sure it only goes 28 miles per hour, but it’ll never get high centered on a parking block. You can also [literally drive it to your office](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo). Oh, the Peel P50. You don’t drive it, you wear it. At first I thought you might be referring to one of those funny cars that seems to be popular in France and NL, a small but normal looking car that is detuned to 45 mph and is intended for newbies who just passed the test, or are still learning. Personally the thing sounds like a massive PITA on the road, both for the driver and other drivers, since the thing has barely perceptible acceleration. As for the Peel, wazzabout crash safety? Things like the three wheeled fiberglass Reliant Robin and the similar Bond Bug were not a good place to be in if there was a crunch. The Peel looks like it would tip over in a high wind or on the first corner, and your head is up against the glass. But if they want to resurrect this thing, then why not the Messerschmidt? The ultimate bubble car. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091/80 "2018-11-30T22:44:12Z")
How much does a smartcar weigh? You and 4 friends probably could have lifted and rolled it back over the concrete block. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-my-car-over-a-concrete-parking-block/825091.md?page=5)