Is it necessary to install underbody armor for the Vios?
2 Answers
Generally, it is recommended to install underbody armor as it can prevent rust and reduce noise. It also serves as a form of protection for the vehicle's underbody. The functions of underbody armor are as follows: 1. Impact Protection: While driving, it is inevitable for small stones to be kicked up, which can impact the vehicle's underbody. Over time, this can cause significant damage. Installing underbody armor can prevent such impacts, thereby protecting the integrity of the underbody. 2. Anti-Scraping: On different road surfaces, there may be raised areas that can cause wear to the underbody. Installing underbody armor can prevent this wear, offering better protection for the underbody. 3. Anti-Corrosion: In regions with frequent rain, such as southern areas, acid rain can easily splash onto the underbody, leading to corrosion over time. Additionally, residual water from car washes can further corrode the underbody. Underbody armor can help avoid such unnecessary corrosion. 4. Heat Insulation: During hot summers, high ground temperatures can cause heat to transfer from the underbody into the car. If the air conditioning is on, more fuel will be needed to lower the interior temperature. Installing underbody armor can significantly block this heat, maintaining a comfortable interior temperature and reducing fuel consumption.
As a veteran owner who has driven three Toyota Vios cars, I believe the necessity of undercoating depends on specific conditions. In southern coastal areas with high humidity and salty roads, or northern winter roads treated with de-icing salts after snowfall, applying undercoating can effectively prevent steel plate corrosion. If you frequently drive on gravel roads where stones constantly hit the undercarriage, the coating also helps reduce noise. The difference might not be noticeable during the first three years, but after five or six years, the condition of coated versus uncoated chassis becomes strikingly apparent. My third Vios didn't get undercoating at purchase, and I regretted it when several rust-through spots appeared on the chassis. However, if you mainly drive on urban paved roads and maintain your vehicle properly, the factory rustproofing should be sufficient.
