[mini.mble]

There are tracks near my house and every time I go over them other people slow to about 5 - 10 mph, on a 35 mph road. Is any real harm done to the chassis, suspension, or any other part of the car if you go over them at greater speeds? I find going over them at ~32 mph is the smoothest in any car, but is that bad? I wouldn't want to hurt my new MINI.

Just wonderin'

Kelly (mini.mble)

[Bonnie Scotland]

Assuming the tracks are "contained" within the road surface that have gaps to allow for the train wheels to travel along and do not sit "proud" i don't see any real problem.

Here in Scotland we have many roads that are cobbled which would give the same effect.

[stuartkey]

I always slow down for rail crossings... firstly cos it does feel awful if you go over fast, and secondly cos I never trust those lights to say that there isn't a freight steaming down the track!

[CurtP]

I never slow down unless they're really (and I mean REALLY) nasty. Slowing down to cross railroad tracks is one of my driving pet peeves

What really kills me is to see the huge hulking SUV's creep over them like they're going to break their precious 4wd behemoth

[RustyPaint]

Slowing down is part of saving your but. Its in the drivers ed classes that they tell you to slow down and look bolth ways before crossing tracks. You never know if the conductor is sleaping or not at the controls to sound the horn or slow the train.

[BobbySueZQ]

Quote: Originally Posted by CurtP

What really kills me is to see the huge hulking SUV's creep over them like they're going to break their precious 4wd behemoth

AMEN!!

[HarryHBMCC]

My pet peeve is people who stop for busses which have yellow lights on because they're stopping at the tracks as required. You have to stop for school busses with flashing RED lights because they are letting on/off children but flashing yellow doesn't mean stop, morons...

Anyways, if it feels 'best' at 32MPH then that is likely the best speed. The MINI's suspension lets you know what the car is doing so if it feels bumpier at 5MPH then that's not the right speed. With some dips it is better to glide over them rather than falling in and bouncing back out.

Harry

[moorlockx]

Some tracks around here need to be crossed at 5mph or you can kiss your alignment goodbye. They are in the minority though. Most of them can be negotiated at much higher speeds. If I'm not familiar with a crossing I'll take it easy the first time across. But you're right, it's irritating to come up to a set that can safely be crossed at the speed limit only to have someone in their 6000 lb land barge go into creep mode.

[bluesmini]

i'm in NC like moorlockz and we have some really bad train tracks. the combo of the aftermarket springs and sway bar make bumps a problem. i go slow because it's jarring if you go at speed and so i don't damage my shocks. they are expensive to replace unless of course it's still under warrant. i now try and avoid roads i know are bumpy or have bad RR Xings.

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by moorlockx

But you're right, it's irritating to come up to a set that can safely be crossed at the speed limit only to have someone in their 6000 lb land barge go into creep mode.

Heheh at least they dont sit there in neutral and put it in "low range" then proceed to cross then stop and put the barge in neutral and lower the car back then continue on their journey... LOL