Is It Useful to Install an Engine Guard Plate?
2 Answers
Installing an engine guard plate is useful as it can protect the engine and chassis. If the car frequently travels on roads with poor conditions, it is necessary to install an engine guard plate. Engine guard plates can be divided into four types based on their materials: steel, aluminum alloy, plastic-steel, and plastic. The most commonly used type on cars is the aluminum alloy underguard plate, which offers significant protective effects. The engine guard plate is an engine protection device designed for various car models. Its primary purpose is to prevent mud from covering the engine, which could lead to poor heat dissipation. Additionally, it helps prevent engine damage caused by impacts from uneven road surfaces during driving, thereby extending the engine's service life.
Installing an engine guard plate is indeed useful, especially for someone like me who loves driving back to my hometown. There are many mountain roads back home, and rocks and mud pits can easily scrape the chassis. Before installing one, the undercarriage got hit several times, costing over a thousand in repairs. After installing a plastic-steel guard plate, I clearly heard rocks hitting it multiple times, but the engine remained unharmed. However, be careful not to buy overly thick steel plates, as they can affect engine cooling. Also, after installation, remember to have a mechanic adjust the ground clearance—if it's too low, it might get stuck. After three years of use, the guard plate is full of scratches, but the engine remains perfectly fine.