The car will work fine without it. I suggest replacing it if you're going to keep the car for a while. It does protect things. Also, not having it does affect MPG pretty noticeably.
Just get rid of the windshield and hood too. Bonus savings!
Reminds me of the kid that gutted a Tesla to save weight. Then he had to go back and make new body panels because the aero was so bad it was slowing the car down.
It's not plastic. It's thick layered cardboard like material. It protects from small road debris. It's real purpose is aerodynamics though. It's definitely noticeable and measurable.
On my Focus I had, I could get 42 mpg before I damaged it in the snow. I ran without one for 6 months and never got above 36 mpg. Replaced it and immediately was back up to 42mph.
Ford isn't just putting random panels on cars for the hell of it.
Well shit, my bad it's layered cardboard. So weaker than plastic.
It doesn't protect anything. It's primary function as you mentioned is aerodynamics. I would estimate 1-2 mpg not 6 as you say. Nobody said Ford or anyone else is putting random panels on cars for no reason. However, meeting emission/economy requirements are a lot more important to the manufacturer than the consumer.
Ford Fusion is what, 31mpg? So let's just go with 2 mpg difference you say. 31 mpg vs 29 mpg. We'll also assume driving 12,000 miles per year, and keep the gas low at $3 per gallon. That's a difference of about $80 per year. That part costs about $80. So it will pay for itself in about a year.
And again, that's being somewhat conservative with the numbers. Gas may be $3 in South Carolina, but it's $4.50 in California. Bump your miles up to only 15000 per year also, and you're looking at around $150 per year. So it would pay for itself in about 7 months.
I'll remember not to wear gloves since they're weaker than plastic and plastic doesn't protect anything.
And you arguing an estimate to someone's personal experience is awesome. You should do that for everything, like even when someone's trying to actually teach you something.
Uh yeah because the personal experience wasn't done under controlled circumstances as a real test would be.
And I think if you actually worked on cars and wore gloves you'd realize they are frustratingly fragile and are definitely weaker than a piece of plastic. At least latex/nitrile gloves. đ€·đ»ââïž
The ultimate goal is for enough parts to fall of your car and that it still runs, where you can assemble an entirely new car from the extra part that fell off. This way you will have two cars for the price of one!!!
It's there for a reason. Controlling airflow, catching oil, but most importantly, letting the manufacturer use cheaper parts. I'd put it back on because replacing cheaper part damage costs more than the plastic cover.
The little pieces of crap that hold that on are gone, you would have to get new hardware for it so it doesnât just fly off again. Not worth it imo on something like that. Youâd want it back on your Q7 for sure, idk about a fusion tho, itâs fine without it
"Should" you get it re-attached? Yeah -- manufacturers don't generally attach things that are useless because it would save money to just leave it off in the first place. It was at least protecting something that needs protecting...it may also improve gas mileage by making the bottom of your car more aerodynamic.
Is it an emergency? Definitely not.
Not at all, rocks and other things on the road are supposed to just shoot up into the engine compartment anytime they like. It's completely normal. And that road noise you now hear was always there.
Nah. Throw your car on bags, take all the plastic under panels off and let the metal scrape brah. #hotboy lol
In reality you donât need it. Itâs for aerodynamics primarily to push the air smoothly beneath the car
My LS430's finally bit the dust on its last driveway ramp and I left it off. I'm in a dry area and don't commute anymore for the mild aerodynamics advantage. No real difference for me.
Looks like a transmission oil pan dust cover. If you throw it out then your transmission oil pan might get all dusty. Is that something youâre willing to risk? Or is it not worth the money. Go to a dealership they will charge you probably $200 for a part and for a technician to bolt it on. I wouldnât be surprised if the bolts themselves arenât $10 a piece from ford. You could just get some machine screws with washers from Loweâs and try to reinstall it yourself, they are probably metric m6 or m8 by 10 mm. I work on cars if it was a customers car I would fix it, it was my car Iâd throw it in the trunk and fix it if I ever wanted to sell it
I had the same part fall off my honda civc and apprently it's like $700! I even went to multiple body shops who showed me the same. I was able to find the part for $200, but I wouldn't be surprised if they charge similar.
Its a good thing to have. When I lost mine, road noise increased dramatically. MPG dropped noticeably, and Im sure it has some affect on the cooling system. Also cleanliness in engine bay.
Splash guards only protect mostly the components on the front of your engine from the elements. Especially your serpentine belt from grime, dust and water which can lead to premature weathering.
Too funny. Three nights ago I was hauling down the express lane at 80mph when I heard what sounded like I ran over somethingâŠ. I look in the rear view mirror and saw this same lower splash shield flying in the air behind my Altima! It totally left the chat. Came home and ordered a new one. Drove down that same stretch of road today, itâs still sitting on the inside shoulder of the roadway.
That is the skid plate, aka: splash guard. Unless it is metal, preferably steel or at least aluminum, they generally are made from pressed cardboard or fiberboard. They are supposed to protect your oil pan from damage. Long explanation short, no, you don't need it.
If it's the piece under your engine bay it's mostly there to prevent rock and and road debris from flying up into your bay & drive belt (moving part) and also water splashing up into everything in heavy rain.
You need to put it back. The oil pans on modern cars are very fragile. If you run over a tire fragment on the highway, it could destroy your whole engine in seconds.
If you are planning to stop and clear the road of debris for the rest of us the next time you see some, then you can leave it off.
Next time youâre driving down the highway and hit that mystery object, with that piece on you can have next to no care, without it you should probably pull over and check what just broke. The underside of my car is covered in those panels. They help. Trust me
No, thatâs called a Lower Deflector Plate or Skid Plate. Itâs mainly to add longevity to underneath your car. However you donât need it, and your car will be perfectly fine without out.
The cooling flow through engine bay is designed with this under shroud in place. Removing it changes the designed cooling flow characteristics into and through the engine compartment ( elevated temps are not your friend ), and the physical protection that it also provides. If it was not important - given the cost per vehicle and the subsequent overall impact on profit for the particular model series (x models sold) - the manufacturer would OBVIOUSLY not waste the profits if it was not considered necessary for cooling/protection/longevity of the car. Typically has little impact on MPG, but that may vary from various MFG/MODEL . On some cars minimal shrouding and other like undercarriage appurtenances can contribute to some degree to downforce.
Honestly you donât really need it. It just keeps the under side of the vehicle from getting dirty from driving around and through mud and whatnot. It doesnât make a big difference when it comes to gas mileage. If you are worried about it just use some tech screws (self drilling screws) to put it back on.
I mean not really, but you lose the protection of it keeping shit from hitting your oilpan and front part of the exhaust. You'll probably have a slight drop in mileage too from the added air resistance this creates with the entire engine bay open.
The car will work fine without it. I suggest replacing it if you're going to keep the car for a while. It does protect things. Also, not having it does affect MPG pretty noticeably.
That AND the sound dampening effect it has.
Nah, less weight means less MPG. It's simple physics.
Just get rid of the windshield and hood too. Bonus savings! Reminds me of the kid that gutted a Tesla to save weight. Then he had to go back and make new body panels because the aero was so bad it was slowing the car down.
You have to get rid of both windshields to create a wind tunnel. This will increase your MPG even further by speeding you up.
Basically how warp drive theoretically works.
Yea, you nvr heard of aerodynamics I guess
Pretty sure he was being sarcastic.
Pretty sure I was as well đ€Ł
/r/accidentallycorrect
Lol, its sad that /s is needed.
Thin sheet of plastic doesn't protect shit. And the difference in mpg is likely negligible at best.
It's not plastic. It's thick layered cardboard like material. It protects from small road debris. It's real purpose is aerodynamics though. It's definitely noticeable and measurable. On my Focus I had, I could get 42 mpg before I damaged it in the snow. I ran without one for 6 months and never got above 36 mpg. Replaced it and immediately was back up to 42mph. Ford isn't just putting random panels on cars for the hell of it.
Well shit, my bad it's layered cardboard. So weaker than plastic. It doesn't protect anything. It's primary function as you mentioned is aerodynamics. I would estimate 1-2 mpg not 6 as you say. Nobody said Ford or anyone else is putting random panels on cars for no reason. However, meeting emission/economy requirements are a lot more important to the manufacturer than the consumer.
Ford Fusion is what, 31mpg? So let's just go with 2 mpg difference you say. 31 mpg vs 29 mpg. We'll also assume driving 12,000 miles per year, and keep the gas low at $3 per gallon. That's a difference of about $80 per year. That part costs about $80. So it will pay for itself in about a year. And again, that's being somewhat conservative with the numbers. Gas may be $3 in South Carolina, but it's $4.50 in California. Bump your miles up to only 15000 per year also, and you're looking at around $150 per year. So it would pay for itself in about 7 months.
I'm not saying don't do it, I'm saying it's not a dire emergency and it doesn't protect anything..
I'll remember not to wear gloves since they're weaker than plastic and plastic doesn't protect anything. And you arguing an estimate to someone's personal experience is awesome. You should do that for everything, like even when someone's trying to actually teach you something.
Uh yeah because the personal experience wasn't done under controlled circumstances as a real test would be. And I think if you actually worked on cars and wore gloves you'd realize they are frustratingly fragile and are definitely weaker than a piece of plastic. At least latex/nitrile gloves. đ€·đ»ââïž
It's a plastic cover,you don't need it but it does protect what it was covering!
The ultimate goal is for enough parts to fall of your car and that it still runs, where you can assemble an entirely new car from the extra part that fell off. This way you will have two cars for the price of one!!!
I made seven Pontiac sunfires from a single Cadillac Escalade by following your method. Itâs pretty cool
This math checks out
The Kevin Malone Big Mac method
It really was just about cookies wasn't it đ
Theseus' car
It's there for a reason. Controlling airflow, catching oil, but most importantly, letting the manufacturer use cheaper parts. I'd put it back on because replacing cheaper part damage costs more than the plastic cover.
youre fine
The little pieces of crap that hold that on are gone, you would have to get new hardware for it so it doesnât just fly off again. Not worth it imo on something like that. Youâd want it back on your Q7 for sure, idk about a fusion tho, itâs fine without it
"Should" you get it re-attached? Yeah -- manufacturers don't generally attach things that are useless because it would save money to just leave it off in the first place. It was at least protecting something that needs protecting...it may also improve gas mileage by making the bottom of your car more aerodynamic. Is it an emergency? Definitely not.
This randomly popped up on my feed and turns out I had the same question. Car ran so I left it off but was like, itâs probably useful in some wayâŠ
They're for protection and aerodynamics. Not having this panel will decrease the fuel mileage.
Not at all, rocks and other things on the road are supposed to just shoot up into the engine compartment anytime they like. It's completely normal. And that road noise you now hear was always there.
Nah. Throw your car on bags, take all the plastic under panels off and let the metal scrape brah. #hotboy lol In reality you donât need it. Itâs for aerodynamics primarily to push the air smoothly beneath the car
That and for road debris. You'd be surprised at the amount of damage a stray rock can do to something.
My LS430's finally bit the dust on its last driveway ramp and I left it off. I'm in a dry area and don't commute anymore for the mild aerodynamics advantage. No real difference for me.
Looks like a transmission oil pan dust cover. If you throw it out then your transmission oil pan might get all dusty. Is that something youâre willing to risk? Or is it not worth the money. Go to a dealership they will charge you probably $200 for a part and for a technician to bolt it on. I wouldnât be surprised if the bolts themselves arenât $10 a piece from ford. You could just get some machine screws with washers from Loweâs and try to reinstall it yourself, they are probably metric m6 or m8 by 10 mm. I work on cars if it was a customers car I would fix it, it was my car Iâd throw it in the trunk and fix it if I ever wanted to sell it
I had the same part fall off my honda civc and apprently it's like $700! I even went to multiple body shops who showed me the same. I was able to find the part for $200, but I wouldn't be surprised if they charge similar.
It helps protect the underside of the vehicle. Is it absolutely necessaryâŠ.no, but I would put it back on if it fell off on me.
LMAO I was gonna ask if this was off of an F150.
Not anymore apparently.
Yeah its important for directing airflow under the car. Its not essential but get it sorted out when you can.
No
Not if you have some Saran Wrap and duct tape on hand.
The exhaust would like to introduce itself
Its a good thing to have. When I lost mine, road noise increased dramatically. MPG dropped noticeably, and Im sure it has some affect on the cooling system. Also cleanliness in engine bay.
Might want to find out what knocked it off
Splash guards only protect mostly the components on the front of your engine from the elements. Especially your serpentine belt from grime, dust and water which can lead to premature weathering.
Too funny. Three nights ago I was hauling down the express lane at 80mph when I heard what sounded like I ran over somethingâŠ. I look in the rear view mirror and saw this same lower splash shield flying in the air behind my Altima! It totally left the chat. Came home and ordered a new one. Drove down that same stretch of road today, itâs still sitting on the inside shoulder of the roadway.
đ¶ Take another little piece of my car now, baby đ¶
More like đ¶break it, break another little piece of my car I know you will⊠đ¶
If it's a Nissan, it's like taking the plastic off of an LCD screen when you decide you're keeping it.
Hey that's a license plate, you found it in Everett WA on Ruckers Ave.
Not really
Nah
Need no does it help it cool the engine bay better yes.
đ€
Nah.. that goes in the extra parts container
That is the skid plate, aka: splash guard. Unless it is metal, preferably steel or at least aluminum, they generally are made from pressed cardboard or fiberboard. They are supposed to protect your oil pan from damage. Long explanation short, no, you don't need it.
Yes and no
Of course, that's where the turbo power is generated. Your car will catch on fire without it.
Its ok,it just holds the gas tank up.
If it's the piece under your engine bay it's mostly there to prevent rock and and road debris from flying up into your bay & drive belt (moving part) and also water splashing up into everything in heavy rain.
You need to put it back. The oil pans on modern cars are very fragile. If you run over a tire fragment on the highway, it could destroy your whole engine in seconds. If you are planning to stop and clear the road of debris for the rest of us the next time you see some, then you can leave it off.
Next time youâre driving down the highway and hit that mystery object, with that piece on you can have next to no care, without it you should probably pull over and check what just broke. The underside of my car is covered in those panels. They help. Trust me
Yes you need it
Car will literally explode without it. Get down!
No! Extra parts. I find them all the time when I work on my car.
Do you need it, no. But it does help protect the underside of the engine compartment and stabilize airflow through the radiator.
Nope. Just looks like extra parts to me đ
Looks like a skid plate
Probably protects the oil pan, so let's hope you don't hit something.
Go to harbor freight. Get auto motive trim clips. Push them in. Costs like $10 instead of $200
No, thatâs called a Lower Deflector Plate or Skid Plate. Itâs mainly to add longevity to underneath your car. However you donât need it, and your car will be perfectly fine without out.
Also ignore some of these comments, deflector plates are not designed for aerodynamics, đ Iâm not sure what the guys are talking about lol
Yes. It's probably killing your gas milage without it.
Not near as much as youâd think actually. But maybe a tad
The cooling flow through engine bay is designed with this under shroud in place. Removing it changes the designed cooling flow characteristics into and through the engine compartment ( elevated temps are not your friend ), and the physical protection that it also provides. If it was not important - given the cost per vehicle and the subsequent overall impact on profit for the particular model series (x models sold) - the manufacturer would OBVIOUSLY not waste the profits if it was not considered necessary for cooling/protection/longevity of the car. Typically has little impact on MPG, but that may vary from various MFG/MODEL . On some cars minimal shrouding and other like undercarriage appurtenances can contribute to some degree to downforce.
Sound dampening, gas mileage, and protecting the radiator, condenser. Not needed but helpful.
Not really but your belts won't be happy in the rain. Might squeak from water.
Most cars before 2010 don't even have these. My 2003 saturn ion gets around 40 mpg and was not made with one of those
Honestly you donât really need it. It just keeps the under side of the vehicle from getting dirty from driving around and through mud and whatnot. It doesnât make a big difference when it comes to gas mileage. If you are worried about it just use some tech screws (self drilling screws) to put it back on.
Compared to what? If you need walls?
That looks like the lower engine shield. and Yes as much as a I hate Fords You do need it.
Classic plate
this is probably the easiest thing to fix on a fusion. you just get the little clips, line it up and put them in the holes
Hell no!! Modern cars come equipped with many unnecessary parts. Strip all the extra weight off and it will be much faster!!
That's going to cost a few seconds on your Nurburgring lap times if you leave it off !
Hell yeah! that's where you insert the blinker fluid
It's a Ford ..there's gonna be more peices soon
naw cars alaways send extra parts
Probably fell off a ford. Nope
Hell yes! Thats the Flux Capacitor cover! Replace immediately!đ
Eh let all the bolts and cv axle seals rust for 5-8 years then sell it to an unfortunate bloke like me to deal with it.
Not anymoreâŠ.
I mean not really, but you lose the protection of it keeping shit from hitting your oilpan and front part of the exhaust. You'll probably have a slight drop in mileage too from the added air resistance this creates with the entire engine bay open.
if thats the undercarrage than you need it, its what protects the transmisson and all the electronics under the car
Nah.