Hit speed bump, damage?
 

Hi guys, I picked up my FRS with 70 miles yesterday and have since driven it like 100 miles. Today I was in an empty parking lot going like 20 mph when I took a left turn past a curb, only to find myself heading over a 3-4 inch tall speed bump that I didn't see because of the curb. The car jolted, and my passenger thought I had hit the curb (I didn't). I checked the underside and found no scrapes.

I can let go of the steering wheel on the highway for 10 seconds and the car won't pull to any side, so I think alignment is good.

After hitting the bump the I drove the car 3 times. The 3rd time I drove the car and parked it, I had to ease it up my relatively steep driveway curb. I did that gently, and after parking I noticed my car was making popping and crackling noises from the front of the car. I know all cars make this noise after being parked but this is the first time I heard the FRS do this - it was super loud, louder than any other car I've heard.

Is it possible I damaged something? I love this car and I would hate to have caused steering rack damage to it. Also, any ideas on the extremely loud popping/crackling noises?

Thanks.

lol, that's just the heat dissipating from your engine.

pretty sure it's fine.

^ +1. These cars have a lot of shielding around the exhaust. It pops and ticks more than any other car I've owned as it is cooling down.

Yup, perfectly fine. The popping is pretty loud in this car, but nothing to be concerned about.

The dealership I picked my FRS up from had a long driveway with these 2 huge speed bumps (stupid for a car dealer, right?), and the car cleared them fine. I think there is regulation for how high a speed bump can be and how low a car can be, so unless you lower your FRS, you don't really have to worry about them.

I agree that the sounds you are hearing are probably just the car cooling off. If you are really concerned, get down on the ground next to it and look underneath. You should be able to tell if there are any dents/damages to the underside through a visual inspection.

random thought: is it possible that the popping/crackling is so loud because of the engine tube?

Sure theres not a bomb under there? Dealer incentives mayb lol just trolling

Thanks for the responses. I know all cars make those noises but my FRS just started making them last night, and super loudly.

Anyway my suspension/steering rack should be fine right, considering it drives straight? I may have to tilt the wheel like 1 degree to the left to keep it straight but that could just be in my head - regardless when I let go of the wheel it keeps going in the same direction with no pulling.

Sounds like your fine. Roads are designed with a crown so having to apply a little left force to keep it straight should be fine. Some cars were/are even aligned to compensate for that.
I'm sure the popping is the cooling off. It might be extra loud right now because the car is new too. And don't be overly concerned with a little burning smell. You might smell some grease/oil stuff burning off new parts. And the brakes will make a really stinky smell once you break them in and get them hot enough to bake the resins.

I'll start off by saying take EVERYTHING you read on this or any forum with a grain of salt. If you feel in your gut there is a problem and you did some damage, pay to get it checked out. The peace of mind and small cost for diagnostics is worth it to make sure your brand new FR-S is okay and won't run into any issues down the road.

The popping and crackling after the engine is shut off IS common, but unless you post audio/video of yours specifically we have no way to differentiate between what is normal and what is not.

Edit: Just noticed you said "empty" parking lot lol

Anyways, best of luck to you

I've hit some bad bumps on the Belt parkway when going to visit the folks up on L.I . One was a raised part of the road that I hit at 45 mph and caused the rear suspension to feel like it bottomed out. BRZ still rides fine like nothing happed, but if you are concerned have it checked out

It may be that you're more focused on your car after that speed bump incident.
It could also be that while the incident didn't harm the vehicle in any way, the exhaust and/or shielding could have flexed a little, and that cooling down process may be a little louder as a result.
Give it a few temp cycles and see if things change.

Or crank the stereo up. That's what a friend and I did when he blew his diff in his S2000. Trust me, you won't hear a thing. :D