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splash shield under front end...is it necessary?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gene4655, Jul 18, 2011.

  1. gene4655

    gene4655 Junior Member

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    Had to pull loose the black plastic like splash shield under front of '06 Prius,as repeated encounters with curbs had loosened it. My question is, is the thing essential? Car doesn't seem to know it's not there but does ithurt to go without it? Thanks for advice.
     
    #1 gene4655, Jul 18, 2011
  2. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    it's designed to create drag. without it, you will probably feel wind pushing the car around more. it might also have a very very small mpg effect.

    essential... i don't think so...

    I'm not looking at it as i type, so i'm not sure how it's held on, or if it might be covering a seam in the front end. if it comes off and it's not too irritating while driving, leave it off.
     
    #2 V8Cobrakid, Jul 18, 2011
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    No its not neccessary at all if you don't mind rocks, mud, and other road debris kicking up into very very expensive and not very tough AC Condenser clogging it and generally just beating the crap out of it.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Jul 18, 2011
  4. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    It probably smooths out the airflow underneath the car - this contributes to improvements in MPG due to the aero of the car. I wouldn't take it off. In fact, I would buy one to cover the entire bottom of the car so it's flat (if it were available).
     
    #4 a_gray_prius, Jul 18, 2011
  5. gene4655

    gene4655 Junior Member

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    Hey, Ed, thanks for a level headed reply. You do sarcasm well (as I'll bet your wife says, too!)
     
    #5 gene4655, Jul 19, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  6. danl

    danl New Member

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    It is very necessary, imo. Just this past weekend, I had to help my brother-in-law replace a steering fluid pipe ($150) on his Saab because he had a hole in his splash shield and a rock made it through and nicked the pipe.
     
    #6 danl, Jul 20, 2011
  7. brownsnoutuk

    brownsnoutuk Active Member

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    ive had mine off for probably 150k miles at least.I dont think it made a difference in handling or mpg. I wouldnt take it off just because, but if its broken where its hanging down, id remove it.
     
    #7 brownsnoutuk, Jul 21, 2011
  8. Agape

    Agape Member

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    I will put it plain:

    This works in reverse to ''remove Pampers from baby's nice person''. Result is obvious.
    :eek:
     
    #8 Agape, Jul 21, 2011
  9. kohnen

    kohnen Grumpy, Cranky Senior Member

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    I'd replace it. On another car, I removed the splash shield (same reason as you) and it altered the aerodynamics enough that the car would overheat on long drives. Replaced the splash shield and Voila! - no more overheating.
     
    #9 kohnen, Jul 22, 2011
    Kal Of The Rathi likes this.
  10. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    With my old car the guys at the oil change place took mine off as it had been beaten to hell and while they noted it on the receipt they did not tell me. A few months later I started having AC issues while stopped - a fan had stopped working, likely hit by a stone or other road debris.
     
    #10 stevemcelroy, Jul 22, 2011
  11. gene4655

    gene4655 Junior Member

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    Many thanks to all for the reasoned replies. I guess I'll bite the bullet and pay what my Toyota service center thinks they have to have to replace it. Again, thanks.
     
    #11 gene4655, Jul 22, 2011
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