Is an Engine Guard Useful?

[StMary]

An engine guard is useful. Here is some relevant information about engine guards: 1. Necessity of an engine guard: Whether an engine guard is necessary depends on different situations: If you frequently drive on low-lying roads or gravel roads, it is necessary to install an engine guard; If you usually only use the car for commuting in the city, an engine guard is not necessary. 2. Function of an engine guard: An engine guard is used to protect the engine, generally installed under the chassis at the front of the car to prevent the engine from being bumped. Depending on the vehicle brand and model, whether a new car comes with an engine guard pre-installed from the factory also varies.

[DanielaFitz]

I installed a manganese steel underbody guard on my own car, and honestly, it's been incredibly practical. Last year during a road trip to the mountains, I accidentally hit a large rock on the road—the whole car went 'clunk!' Later, when I checked underneath, the guard had a dent, but the oil pan and engine were completely unharmed. Without it, I probably would've leaked oil on the spot and needed a tow. Even on highways, the sound of small stones pinging against the guard is oddly reassuring. During car washes, I can see scratches all over the guard. My mechanic said low-clearance sedans like ours should definitely have one—changing oil just means loosening a couple more screws, which is way cheaper than engine repairs.

[DiLaila]

Whether to install a skid plate depends on the roads you frequently drive on. For someone like me who commutes in the city every day, I didn't install one. The concrete roads are smooth and won't scrape the undercarriage at all. Isn't it better to save a few hundred bucks for gas? However, my cousin, who runs a renovation company and drives a pickup truck to construction sites every day, has replaced his skid plate twice in three years. Once, it even blocked half a piece of rebar. Many new car models now come with plastic skid plates for dust protection, which is sufficient. If you really need to buy one, don't choose one that's too heavy. A 3mm aluminum alloy plate is enough, while manganese steel is heavy and increases fuel consumption. If your car has mounting points for a skid plate, you can install it yourself—it takes just half an hour and is very convenient.