What is the name of the protective plate under the car?
3 Answers
It is called the engine underguard. More extended information is as follows: Introduction to the engine underguard: The engine underguard is a protective plate installed at the bottom of the engine. Its main function is to prevent the engine from being damaged due to impacts when driving on bumpy roads. It is a custom-designed engine protection device tailored for various car models. Its primary purpose is to prevent mud from covering the engine, and secondly, to avoid engine damage caused by impacts from uneven road surfaces during driving. Through its design, it extends the engine's service life and prevents car breakdowns due to external factors damaging the engine. Functions of the car underguard: Keeps the engine compartment clean, prevents road water and dust from entering the engine compartment, and protects the engine from being struck by hard objects like sand and stones kicked up by the tires during driving.
Last time I went for an oil change, the technician specifically pointed to that plastic panel under the car and told me, officially it's called the 'engine undercover,' though some people simply refer to it as a skid plate. Its main purpose is to protect the oil pan and engine components, especially for someone like me who often drives on rural roads—it prevents stone chips and undercarriage scrapes. Some high-performance cars even use aluminum alloy panels for better heat dissipation. However, installing overly thick plates can hinder cooling, so I deliberately chose a version with cooling vents for my SUV. During long drives, I can feel the engine hood temperature remains more stable. Nowadays, new electric cars even have full battery protection panels underneath, which are far more complex in design than traditional fuel-powered vehicles.
When I was getting maintenance at the 4S shop, the technician mentioned that the large plastic panel under the car is officially called the 'underbody airflow deflector shield,' but it's commonly simplified as the underbody shield. It's not just for blocking mud; at high speeds, it helps streamline airflow. I've noticed that at 120 km/h, the wind noise is indeed reduced. For city driving, you can opt for a resin material version, which is lightweight and rust-free. My neighbor once drove through standing water without this shield, and water got into the engine, leading to a major overhaul. So I think this hundred-yuan panel is really worth it. Nowadays, some domestic brands come with a steel underbody shield as standard equipment, making it worry-free even when scraping against curbs.
