What is the plastic panel above the wheel called?

[Daedalus]

The panel above the wheel is called the inner fender liner, commonly referred to as the mudguard. It is an arc-shaped plastic panel installed behind the wheel's outer frame. The material used is typically rubber, although some mudguards are made of engineering plastic. The quality varies depending on the material. The main functions of the mudguard: The mudguard is installed behind the four wheels of the car. The front two are fixed on the left and right lower sills, while the rear two are fixed on the rear bumper. Car mudguards usually extend about 5cm beyond the body. The extra plastic panel effectively prevents flying stones and gravel from damaging the car's paint. In rainy weather, when driving on muddy roads, a lot of mud can stick to the car. Installing mudguards helps protect the car from mud and also prevents splashing onto nearby pedestrians and vehicles. At high speeds, the wheels can fling out sand and mud, which may hit the car's body. At very high speeds, the splashing mud can damage the car's paint. Some cars do not come with mudguards from the factory. This is not primarily to reduce manufacturing costs but to minimize the resistance generated during driving. Installing mudguards can disrupt the car's underbody airflow design, increasing the drag coefficient and fuel consumption. Precautions: If the inner fender liner is made of very thin engineering plastic, regular inspection and maintenance are necessary during daily use to prevent damage to the wheel arch liner. If the inner fender liner is damaged, it should be replaced immediately. The cost of replacing the inner fender liner is low, as this part is inexpensive. Some luxury cars have flocked inner fender liners to reduce noise, which are more expensive. If the inner fender liner is damaged, there is no need to purchase an original equipment part; simply choose a high-quality product that fits your vehicle.

[SanOlivia]

Last time I got my car washed, I paid special attention to that plastic panel. The mechanic at the repair shop called it a fender liner or wheel arch liner. Its main function is to block mud, water, and stones, preventing debris from being directly flung onto the doors or chassis. Once when I drove on a muddy road, the front left liner got cracked by a stone, allowing rainwater to pour directly into the engine bay—costing over 400 bucks to fix. Actually, it's made of high-toughness plastic, but the design pays great attention to curvature, needing to perfectly fit the tire contour to seal properly. I recommend washing this area thoroughly during car washes, as accumulated dirt can accelerate aging. Now I have technicians check the liner clips for looseness every six months—since although it seems insignificant, damage can affect driving safety.

[AshleyAnn]

This plastic cover wrapped around the wheel is commonly referred to as a wheel arch liner in the industry. Through my daily work involving many vehicle undercarriages, I've noticed it's the most overlooked component by car owners. Beyond its basic mudguard function, modern vehicle designs incorporate drainage channels inside the liner to quickly divert rainwater and prevent corrosion. Special attention is required during installation - the clip positions must be perfectly aligned, otherwise wind noise may occur at high speeds. The most common issue is cracking caused by road debris impacts, which produces abnormal tire noises. It's advisable to inspect the liner edges during tire changes or maintenance services, replacing any deformed sections promptly. While the material cost is inexpensive, labor charges often constitute the major expense.

[EliasFitz]

We call the curved plastic cover above the wheel a fender liner, but it's actually more important than you might think. This component primarily serves as an isolation barrier—without it, mud would splash directly onto the suspension system and brake discs. I've seen many car enthusiasts overlook adjusting the liner when installing wide-body rims, resulting in the tires wearing through the plastic edges while driving. During installation, pay attention to the ground clearance at the bottom of the liner; if it's too low, it's prone to scraping. For replacements, it's recommended to choose OEM parts, as aftermarket liners often have issues with misaligned mounting holes. Routine maintenance is simple—just use a high-pressure washer to rinse the inner side to prevent mud and sand buildup. The typical lifespan is five to six years, after which the liner becomes brittle due to aging.

[LunaRose]

The curved plastic piece above the tire is called the wheel well liner, which serves as a crucial barrier against mud and water splashes. Anyone who has driven long distances knows that after prolonged travel in rainy or snowy conditions, the inner side of the liner accumulates thick sludge. Once while helping a friend repair his car, I discovered that his liner had been punctured by gravel, leaving the wheel hub full of dried mud clumps. Though this component may seem simple, its design incorporates many details: surface textures to enhance strength and inner protrusions to reduce wind resistance noise. When washing your car, don’t just hose down the exterior—turn the wheels fully to clean the inner corners. If damaged, avoid makeshift fixes like tape, as fragments could get caught in the steering system.