Is it serious if the plastic panel under the car is damaged?
2 Answers
It is not a big deal if a piece of the plastic panel under the car is damaged; just re-secure it in time. If the car's undercarriage is hit, as long as the speed at the time of impact is not high and the sound of scraping is not loud, the problem will generally not be significant, and there will likely be no major issues. Of course, if there is a loud "bang," it is highly possible that the oil pan could be dented or even punctured. The oil pan is where the engine oil is stored. Here are some details about damage to the plastic panel under the car: 1. Severe impact situations: Generally, cars are designed with some level of impact resistance for the undercarriage. However, severe impacts may cause damage to the front bumper, suspension, exhaust pipe, and other parts. The undercarriage is most vulnerable to scraping, which could damage the fuel tank, engine oil pan, and brake system fluid lines. For safety, you can ask the car wash to lift your car and inspect it during regular washes. 2. Whether to apply undercarriage coating: New cars already come with a layer of protective material applied at the factory. As long as the driver follows proper driving habits and maintenance, it can last for several years without issues. Applying undercarriage coating is beneficial and harmless, but from an economic standpoint, whether it's necessary depends on the owner's needs.
Last time my car's underbody guard plate got damaged, I specifically went to the repair shop to ask about it. If this thing breaks, it really needs to be dealt with promptly—it mainly protects important components like the engine and transmission from being scraped by rocks. Especially when driving in the rain, water can directly pour into the engine bay, and if the wiring gets soaked, it can cause serious trouble. Driving at high speeds might also produce strange noises, which can be really annoying. However, it also depends on the extent of the damage—if it's just a small scratch, you might still get by, but if the whole piece is torn off, you must replace it immediately. I suggest taking some time to visit a repair shop for an inspection. Replacing a new guard plate only costs a few hundred bucks, which is much cheaper than repairing an engine.
