Does the Engine Guard Plate Affect Heat Dissipation?
2 Answers
Engine guard plates have an impact on vehicle heat dissipation, but the effect is minimal. The heat dissipation performance of an engine is mainly reflected in the front grille, engine compartment design, water pipes, and radiator design, with only a small portion being dissipated through the chassis. Engine guard plates are customized protective devices designed for various vehicle models. Their primary purpose is to prevent mud from enveloping 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 a series of designs, they aim to extend the engine's service life and avoid vehicle breakdowns due to external factors causing engine damage during travel.
As a seasoned long-distance driver, I've installed engine underguards twice. The first time I went with a steel one, but noticed the engine bay ran hotter, especially during summer highway drives when the temperature gauge would rise one notch. Later, upon a mechanic friend's advice, I switched to a resin model with honeycomb cooling vents. The temperature stayed nearly the same as without any guard, and scraping it on rough roads didn't hurt as much. The key lies in material and cooling design—solid metal plates block airflow most, while perforated plastic ones barely affect it. Consider your engine bay layout when choosing, especially for turbocharged models where ventilation is critical. Regularly cleaning mud and leaves trapped under the guard is equally important.
