Should a New Car Have an Engine Guard Installed?
3 Answers
New cars should have an engine guard installed. Below is an introduction to various guard materials: 1. Steel Plate: Affordable and extremely sturdy. However, it is too heavy, increasing fuel consumption, and its excessive rigidity may interfere with engine drop-down during a collision. 2. Plastic: Low cost and lightweight, but it only blocks minor dirt and cannot protect the engine from impacts. 3. Titanium Alloy and Aluminum Alloy: Lighter than steel plates and stronger than resin and plastic, making them a decent choice. 4. Reinforced Resin: Lightweight with good toughness, capable of withstanding minor impacts and not interfering with engine drop-down during collisions.
Got my new car and I've been debating whether to install an engine guard. Driving in the city with smooth roads and few potholes, it feels like a waste of money. Better save those few hundred bucks for gas or car accessories. New cars come with warranty anyway, minor issues can be handled at the dealership. If you live in rural areas or near construction sites with rough roads, then it might be worth considering; otherwise, save the hassle. A heavy guard also lowers the chassis a bit, making parking and going up/down slopes more troublesome. I've driven over a year without one, and the engine stays clean. Bottom line: if your driving environment is good, don't bother. You can always install one later if you really go off-roading. The factory protection is sufficient.
I've driven to the mountains a few times, and a skid plate is absolutely necessary. There are lots of stones and mud pits—the plate has blocked several impacts that would have wrecked the engine otherwise. Installation is easy, just a few hundred yuan at an auto parts store. It protects against mud and water, especially in rain or snow, extending engine life. Driving a new car on rough roads without one is too risky—one repair bill could cost ten times the price of a skid plate. For poor driving conditions or bad habits, it's essential protection. Even if your new car has higher ground clearance, it’s fine—heat dissipation isn’t an issue. Strongly recommended for outdoor enthusiasts—peace of mind and hassle-free. Great protection for long trips.
