What is the small shield in front of the car wheel called?

[AutumnRose]

It is called a mudguard. The mudguard is a plate-like structure installed behind the outer frame of the wheel, usually made of high-quality rubber or engineering plastic. Mudguards are typically installed behind the wheels of bicycles or motor vehicles and can be made of metal, leather, plastic, or rubber. After installation, the mudguard protrudes about 5cm from the car body, effectively preventing flying stones and gravel from damaging the car's paint. The functions are as follows: 1. Anti-mud: The primary function is to prevent mud from splashing onto the car body or people, keeping them clean. 2. Anti-rust: It prevents mud from splashing onto the tie rods and ball joints, which could cause premature rusting. 3. Protect the paint: For cars, mudguards also serve another purpose. Small stones can easily get caught in the tire treads and, at high speeds, may be flung onto the car body, chipping the exterior paint.