What is the plastic panel under the car's front windshield called?
1 Answers
The plastic panel under the car's front windshield is called the windshield lower trim panel or the windshield rain tray. Its main function is to drain the water wiped by the wipers through the drainage holes at the bottom to the underside of the car, preventing accumulation. The windshield rain tray is mainly made of rubber and plastic. Over time, exposure to sunlight and rain can cause it to age, leading to gaps between the rain tray and the windshield, as well as clogged drainage holes, resulting in water accumulation. Accumulated water can leak into the engine compartment and transmission area, causing water ingress or rust in related components, which may affect the normal operation of the vehicle. In severe cases, water may even flow into the car through the air conditioning intake, causing floor flooding. Therefore, during daily use, it is important to avoid exposing the rain tray to direct sunlight and to promptly clean any debris accumulated in the gaps to maintain cleanliness. If the drainage holes of the rain tray become clogged, the owner can use a wire or other hard object to unclog them. Special care should be taken when cleaning the drainage holes hidden under the rubber sealing strips to avoid damaging the seals. Alternatively, a syringe and catheter injection method can be used for cleaning. Fill the syringe with clean water, insert the catheter into the drainage hole, and quickly inject the water into the hose. Repeat this process several times to complete the cleaning.
