What Material is Best for Installing an Engine Guard Plate?
3 Answers
Engine guard plates are generally made of hard plastic, resin, iron, and aluminum alloy materials. Below is an introduction to engine guard plates: 1. Introduction: The engine guard plate is an engine protection device custom-designed for various vehicle models. Its primary purpose is to prevent mud from covering the engine and to protect the engine from damage caused by impacts from uneven road surfaces during driving. Through a series of designs, it extends the engine's service life and avoids car breakdowns due to external factors damaging the engine during travel. 2. Function: It keeps the engine compartment clean, preventing road water and dust from entering; protects the engine from being struck by gravel and hard objects thrown up by tires during driving; and also prevents scratches and impacts from uneven road surfaces and hard objects on the engine.
I usually enjoy driving to go fishing on rough roads, and the underbody guard has been scraped by rocks several times. Steel guards are indeed the most durable—last time I ran over a rock, it only left a mark, but the front of the car noticeably felt heavier, and fuel consumption increased by half a liter. Later, I switched to an aluminum alloy one, and the sound of metal scraping when bottoming out was heartbreaking. When changing tires, I found the underbody deformed. Now I’m using a resin composite guard—it gives a cushioning feel over bumps, but in winter, it freezes stiff and makes a clunking noise over speed bumps. If you only drive in the city, a plastic guard costing just over a hundred bucks is more than enough—it’s budget-friendly and lightweight. The key is to consider your usual driving conditions. If you frequently drive on construction sites, metal guards are still recommended.
Having repaired cars for over a decade, I've seen all kinds of underbody protection plates. Hard plastic ones are the cheapest but shatter upon impact—last time during a rescue, a car's underbody was so cracked the engine was exposed. Steel plates offer the best protection but are too heavy, adding long-term stress to the suspension. Manganese alloy plates are one-third lighter than steel, with slightly less protection but still adequate. Composite materials are the new favorite in recent years, excelling in lightweight design and rust resistance. I'd advise drivers in southern regions to avoid steel plates—coastal humidity can rust them through. When installing, be extra careful not to block the oil pan drain plug. Last time, an owner had to remove the plate for an oil change, costing an extra 80 in labor.
