What is the name of the shield in front of the wheel?
3 Answers
The mudguard is the shield placed in front of the wheel. The mudguard is a plate-like structure installed behind the outer frame of the wheel, usually made of high-quality rubber material, and sometimes engineering plastic is also used. The functions and advantages of car mudguards are as follows: Effectively prevent mud and water splashed up by the vehicle during driving from staining the car, reducing the frequency of car washes, and preventing mud and water from splashing onto pedestrians. Protect the mechanical structure of the car. Rainwater erosion can cause metal parts to rust, and mudguards can block rainwater from entering the interior, preventing parts from rusting. When the car is driving, small stones on the road may be splashed, scratching the car paint. Mudguards can effectively block such splashes and protect the car body. Disadvantages of car mudguards: Most mudguards are black, and their installation may affect the overall aesthetics of the vehicle. Installing mudguards will to some extent affect the vehicle's passability, especially for models with already low chassis (for example, when going up or down steps, the mudguard may get scraped). When the car is driving at high speed, it is subjected to significant air resistance. Installing mudguards can disrupt the car's underbody airflow design, obstruct the flow of air under the car, increase underbody turbulence, slow down the air flow speed, raise the car's drag coefficient, increase wind noise, and lead to higher fuel consumption.
Last time I was washing my car, I specifically studied this component. Its technical name is '挡泥板' in Chinese, which translates to 'mudguard' in English. Its primary function is to prevent mud and water kicked up by the tires from splashing onto the car body. Some off-road vehicles are equipped with widened mudguards, which are particularly useful when encountering waterlogged roads. Nowadays, some cars even come with smart mudguards that automatically deploy during rainy weather. A colleague of mine previously replaced his modified car's mudguards with carbon fiber ones—expensive but extremely lightweight. However, it's worth noting that oversized mudguards can increase wind resistance and affect fuel consumption. For everyday use, standard plastic mudguards are the most economical option.
Our workshop mechanics often refer to it as the fender liner, which is installed in conjunction with the metal fender. This component might seem insignificant, but if damaged, it can affect the vehicle's overall sound insulation. Just last week, a car owner experienced paint damage on their door when the liner came loose, causing the tires to fling stones over speed bumps. During installation, ensure the clip positions are aligned correctly. The original factory uses plastic rivets for fixation—avoid using self-tapping screws during modifications, as they can easily deform the sheet metal. It's also recommended to clean leaves from the liner gaps during car washes to prevent clogging the drainage holes.
