Does Installing an Engine Guard Plate Affect Heat Dissipation in Cars?
3 Answers
Engine guard plates do have an impact on vehicle heat dissipation, but the effect is minimal. The specific reasons are as follows: 1. The heat dissipation performance of an engine is primarily reflected in the front grille, engine compartment design, water pipes, and radiator design, with only a small portion dissipating through the chassis. 2. Engine guard plates are custom-designed protective devices for various vehicle models. Their primary purpose is to prevent mud from encasing the engine, which could lead to poor heat dissipation, and secondly to protect the engine from damage caused by impacts from uneven road surfaces during driving. Through these designs, they aim to extend the engine's service life and avoid vehicle breakdowns due to external factors causing engine damage during travel.
I don't think installing an engine guard has that much of a mystical impact on heat dissipation. My own SUV has had a resin guard installed for three years, and even driving in Hainan's 40-degree weather, the temperature gauge needle has never moved. The key lies in the material and design—for example, alloy guards with honeycomb holes provide good ventilation, whereas fully enclosed steel plates can trap heat. Engine cooling mainly relies on the front grille's airflow and the radiator fan; the guard only covers the oil pan area. Of course, avoid low-quality products that might block the car's original air ducts, and remember to check the temperature after a few rounds of aggressive driving. For daily commuting, it's completely fine, and for off-roading, the protective benefits far outweigh any minor cooling concerns.
From the perspective of heat dissipation principles, underbody protection panels do alter airflow direction, but the impact is limited. The original vehicle's engine compartment temperature is primarily managed by the front radiator, with underbody airflow providing noticeable cooling effects only at high speeds. If the underbody is completely sealed after installing a panel, heat can accumulate during low-speed climbing. However, most decent protection panels nowadays incorporate ventilation designs. For example, the magnesium-aluminum alloy panel I chose features airflow channels, which actually enhance underbody turbulence at speeds above 80 km/h in real-world tests. What truly requires caution is arbitrarily adding steel plates, which not only increase weight but also obstruct air circulation.