Do Sedans Need Mudguards?
4 Answers
Sedans do not necessarily need mudguards; it can be decided based on personal preference. Introduction to Mudguards: Mudguards are plate-like structures installed behind the outer frame of the wheels, usually made of high-quality rubber or engineering plastic. Mudguards are typically metal panels installed behind the wheels of bicycles or motor vehicles. Types of Mudguards: There are two types: rubber mudguards and plastic mudguards. Rubber mudguards: These are rubber panels used to prevent mud and sand from splashing up when road vehicles (cars, tractors, loaders, etc.) are in motion. They are generally made of pure rubber or a combination of rubber and plastic materials, offering good aging resistance, and are commonly used behind the wheels of various vehicles. Plastic mudguards: These are mudguards made of plastic and then painted. Essentially the same as plastic mudguards, they are designed to blend perfectly with the car body in terms of color, making them more aesthetically pleasing overall.
After driving for so many years, I think mud flaps are quite necessary to install. Just the other day after it rained, my neighbor's car without mud flaps had the entire side covered in mud splashes, and the rear bumper was caked with a layer of mud—it even cost an extra ten bucks to wash. Although they might seem insignificant, mud flaps can block most of the mud and small stones kicked up by the tires, especially when driving on dirt roads or wet surfaces after rain, helping to protect the car's paint from scratches. My own car has a set of soft rubber mud flaps installed, and they've lasted over three years without needing replacement. They don't scrape the chassis even when going over speed bumps. However, it's important to choose the right model that matches the car's body—ones that are too long might drag on the ground. Also, opt for a flexible material, as hard plastic can easily crack at high speeds.
When I picked up the car, the 4S dealer asked if I wanted to install mud flaps, and I hesitated for a moment. Now I see it was money well spent. Especially for friends living in suburban areas or frequently driving on construction roads, the gravel kicked up by the wheels hitting the doors makes a loud pattering sound, and over time, it will definitely leave small dents. Once, on a rainy day when I picked up my child from school, driving through the muddy road at the school gate, I saw in the rearview mirror that my car doors were spotless, while the cars without mud flaps next to me were already covered in mud splashes. However, for urban commuting, the benefit is smaller since there are mostly paved roads. When installing, remember to ask the technician to leave some gaps so that it won’t be a hard impact when going over bumps. You can also buy and install them yourself online—just align them with the wheel arch screw holes and tighten them, and it’ll be done in ten minutes.
The mudguard issue mainly depends on your driving environment. I commute on highways daily and noticed increased wind noise after installation, but its advantages became obvious when driving on dirt roads back home. Before installing them, my car's sides were covered with fine scratches from gravel after rough roads, and the car wash owner mentioned that the rear wheel arch paint is most prone to chipping. Now with flexible rubber mudguards, after the rainy season, the lower half of the doors stays clean, and there's much less mud and sand trapped in the wheel wells. I recommend choosing a resilient material; OEM-molded ones fit better and won't cause rattling. A hundred-yuan investment can save a lot on car body maintenance.
