What is the name of the curved shield above the car tire?
3 Answers
The curved shield above the car tire is called a mudguard. Information about mudguards is as follows: 1. Mudguard: It is a plate-like structure installed behind the outer frame of the wheel, usually made of high-quality rubber material, but sometimes also made of engineering plastic. 2. Installation position: Mudguards are usually installed as a metal shield, leather shield, plastic shield, or rubber shield behind the wheels of bicycles or motor vehicles. The functions of mudguards include: 1. Aesthetics: The main purpose is to prevent mud from splashing onto the car body or people, which would make the car body or people look unattractive. 2. Protection: It can prevent mud from splashing onto the tie rod or ball joint, causing premature rust. 3. Paint protection: Another function of mudguards for cars is that small stones can easily get stuck in the tire treads of cars. If the speed is too high, these stones can be flung onto the car body, chipping the exterior paint.
I think that curved protective panel above the car tire is quite important in daily life. Some people call it the wheel arch liner. I remember last month when driving home on a mountain road in the rain, mud was splashing everywhere. Thanks to this thing blocking it, the components under the engine didn't get dirty. Otherwise, water could have gotten in and corroded the wiring, which would have been a hassle to repair. It's usually made of plastic or soft rubber, cheap and easy to replace. You can even buy the parts online and DIY it yourself—just a matter of a few dozen bucks. But when installing it, make sure to align it properly and secure it tightly with screws to prevent stones from getting stuck, otherwise, it'll rattle and be noisy. After off-roading, it's best to wash it to extend its lifespan—don't slack off on that.
To be honest, this curved guard is commonly called a fender liner, and its key role is waterproofing, dustproofing, and protecting the chassis. I've seen too many cars suffer from water pump or sensor issues due to damaged liners, with repair costs running into thousands. The material is mostly lightweight plastic, but it wears easily if you frequently drive on gravel roads, so regular checks are necessary. Replacing a new one isn't expensive—just around a hundred bucks. I recommend checking the screws every six months to avoid loose fittings that could lead to stones flying up and damaging the car or injuring people at high speeds. From a safety perspective, though this small part may seem insignificant, it prevents corrosion and reduces noise. Proper maintenance saves both money and hassle.
