What are the disadvantages of an engine guard?
4 Answers
Installing an engine guard has the advantage of effectively preventing damage to the engine and its components caused by undercarriage scraping, and it also provides some protection for parts that are prone to corrosion. The downside is that it can interfere with the engine's ability to drop in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Whether a new car should have an engine guard installed depends on specific circumstances, as outlined below: 1. Urban or daily commuting use: If you drive a sedan or urban SUV and frequently travel on city roads, mainly for daily commuting and work trips, there is no need to install an engine guard. The primary function of an engine guard is to protect the engine, oil pan, and transmission components from damage due to undercarriage impacts. During normal city driving, undercarriage scraping is highly unlikely. For sedans with lower ground clearance, the most common issue might be scraping the underside of the front bumper when going up or down slopes, but this is not a major concern. 2. Mountainous areas, road trips, or off-road use: If you frequently use your vehicle for road trips or off-road adventures, installing an engine guard is recommended. On many rough, unpaved roads, potholes and uneven surfaces can easily damage the oil pan under the engine. If the oil pan is punctured, all the engine oil will leak out, and continuing to drive without immediate replacement can cause severe engine damage.
As an average car owner, I've found that installing an engine skid plate comes with quite a few drawbacks. The added weight makes me feel like fuel consumption has increased slightly with every drive, and over time, this adds up to significantly higher fuel costs. What's more annoying is that during maintenance or repairs, the skid plate has to be removed first to change the oil or access the engine, which is quite troublesome and wastes both time and effort. On rough roads, the plate tends to produce annoying creaking noises, which are unpleasant to hear. When driving through water, it reduces ground clearance, making the car more prone to flooding or getting debris stuck. While it does protect the engine from impacts, the daily inconveniences outweigh the benefits. I regret installing it in the first place.
Through my extensive driving experience, I've found that engine skid plates, while protecting the engine, come with a host of issues. They reduce ground clearance, making it prone to scraping or getting stuck on obstacles during off-roading or water crossings, compromising vehicle passability. The plates also obstruct heat dissipation, causing noticeably higher engine temperatures after long summer drives, potentially harming engine longevity. Safety-wise, in collision scenarios, the skid plate may interfere with the engine's designed downward displacement, increasing occupant injury risks. Maintenance becomes a hassle too, with cumbersome removal processes. Overall, despite offering minor impact protection, these drawbacks have led me to no longer recommend their installation.
As a new car owner, I realized there are quite a few drawbacks after installing an engine guard plate. The added weight slightly increased fuel consumption, making me wince at gas station visits; every maintenance requires removing the plate, which is quite troublesome; it produces buzzing noises when driving on bumpy roads, disturbing the driving experience; the lowered chassis makes it prone to damage when crossing potholes. These inconveniences seem to outweigh the protective benefits.
