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How to fix a steep driveway scraping my car?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice or creative solutions from the community. I have a steep driveway, and my Tesla Model 3 (low ground clearance) keeps scraping the bottom when I try to park—especially if someone is sitting in the car.

It’s getting a bit frustrating, and I want to find a fix that doesn’t involve cutting and redoing the entire driveway if possible.

I tried Driving in/out at an angle (helps a bit, but not a complete fix)
Should i Install rubber or plastic ramps (any recommendations?)
Is it worth adding a small concrete/asphalt wedge at the transition point?

Before I go down the path of getting contractors involved, I’d love to hear:

Has anyone used driveway ramps from Bunnings or elsewhere that worked?
Any success with DIY fixes for steep driveway transitions?
Any cost-effective options that helped reduce scraping for low cars?

Would really appreciate any photos, product links, or your own experiences.

Thanks in advance!

—Dan

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Comments

EricL

Hello @DanProject

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your driveway.

I propose looking at Heeve 1.2m Driveway Rubber Kerb Ramp for Rolled-Edge Kerb H0118. I suggest installing it upside down just before you reach the transition point so that it lifts the back of your car and provides more clearance when you drive in.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @DanProject

I don't believe anything you can easily install is going to help you with that dramatic transition angle combined with a low-profile car. Installing any form of rubber bumper is only going to leave marks on your car and potentially increase the issue.

For the sake of roughly around $2500 I think your best long term solution is to bite the bullet and remove the two concrete crossover sections and a couple of metres down the driveway and have it regraded and concreted. Any decent concreter will be able to assist in working this out as you won't be the first person with this issue.

I have a client who has the opposite angle on a brand new driveway and house. He couldn't get his custom Mustang up the driveway in to the garage. He needed a flat bed extending tray-truck to change the angle to get it safely store away. It's garaged for 9mths undriven while he disputes the builder.

Nailbag

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/52277#Comment_52277

Good Evening @DanProject

I also am thinking along the lines of ripping up that high point and smoothing it, I would be getting a decent concreter and someone who understands the issue to do the job. My only concern is removing too much of the rise and then having water come down the road and using your lowered driveway as a runoff point. The concreter should know how to manage that.

A note of caution as those two straight cuts across the driveway at the top look like some sort of service has been run down the footpath and the driveway was cut and restored to allow that to happen, a dial before you dig would be an idea as it should be deep enough but as you are lowering the rise then other factors need to come into play (mechanical protection of the services underneath the concrete is what I am refering to)

Dave

Noyade

G'day @DanProject

Do you know exactly where on your car the concrete is striking?

Is it a plastic protuberance, or is it metal?

Drinking and doodling last night - I was thinking or two speed bumps, strategically placed (a lot trial and error I suspect) running parallel down the ramp with the tapered end close to the horizontal sidewalk.

Of course you would need to drive up and down carefully with all the tyres on the ramps.

Possibly this will raise your car a few centimetres.

Just a crazy thought.

Cheers.

https://www.bronsonsafety.com.au/premium-large-modular-speed-humps

Forgive my drawing. Your Tesla looks rather antiquated.

cheygee

I’m having the same issue. Bought a house 2 years ago, had to sell my Commodore. Now looking at getting another. I’ve looked at every single option to try to avoid paying a concreter $10k (quoted) just to do the first two panels of my driveway, which would look terrible anyway.

the first 30 seconds of this video are the best suggestion I’ve seen.
https://youtu.be/6Y2PxMCPW9g?si=fbmMts29yGTnG7I4

i know your driveway is going up, and mine and the videos are going down, but it’s the same premise.

This website has loads of options

https://www.trafficsafety.com.au/products/kerb-trolley-dock-ramps/kerb-ramps?srsltid=AfmBOopZKzQ9y-xIsC6X7pWhO999icXwrllj8z54exvgrJJJSIWViycN

it’s all about getting the placement right and you should be all good! I’d love to hear what solution you go with.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/52361#Comment_52361

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @cheygee. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for jumping into the discussion.

Let me tag @DanProject so they are alerted to your response. I thought I'd mention that we have the Sandleford 500 x 410 x 70mm Black and Yellow Mid Section Safety Speed Hump which could be used for a similar purpose as per your video.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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