What material is best for an engine guard plate?
3 Answers
Engine guard plates are generally made of hard plastic, resin, iron, or aluminum alloy. The following are the benefits of engine guard plates: Prevents scratches from gravel: This is very similar to the function of a guard plate, one relies on a plate, the other on a protective film (paint), just like putting a case on a phone, it's very easy to understand. Prevents moisture: Rust is also one of the fatal damages to the chassis, especially in the rainy southern regions where acidic substances in the rain can harm the chassis. Therefore, corrosion prevention (or rust prevention) is also an important point. Reduces noise: As for noise reduction, it mainly refers to the loud noise when gravel or foreign objects hit the underside of the car. The chassis armor has a certain sound insulation effect. Temperature control is because the airflow of the car's air conditioning generally moves from the bottom up, and the chassis armor can provide a certain thermal insulation effect.
I've been running an auto repair shop for twenty years and have seen all kinds of engine skid plate materials. Young folks always go for carbon fiber, thinking it's light and stylish, but when they hit a big rock, even a 3,000-4,000 yuan plate will crack. For affordability and durability, manganese steel is the way to go—3mm thickness is tough enough to handle rough roads, though it adds a couple of pounds. For city driving, aluminum alloy is the smartest choice—sturdier than the factory plastic skid plate, 1.5mm thickness is plenty to deflect small stones, and it barely affects weight or fuel consumption. Last year, I installed a titanium alloy skid plate on a Pajero; the owner insisted it improved heat dissipation, but 8,000 yuan could buy two full synthetic oil changes. Remember, no matter the material, the skid plate's screw holes must align perfectly with the car's original mounting points—otherwise, the rattling noise will drive you crazy.
Off-road veterans advise: Don't get fancy with engine skid plates! My Wrangler's manganese steel skid plate survived the Gobi Desert, screeching against sharp rocks without deforming. Aluminum alloy is too fragile—last year, a buddy's Prado hit a cross-axle obstacle with a loud 'bang,' denting the plate and jamming the oil pan. The new plastic-steel plates are lightweight, but warp under high heat. The key is the mounting system—opt for brackets with a crumple zone design. When hitting large rocks, the plate bends to dissipate impact force, far safer than rigid resistance. After installation, always test steering angles—overly thick plates may cause tire rubbing at full lock.
