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Deer hits my car, i need help!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lloemm, Mar 9, 2012.

  1. lloemm

    lloemm Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2011
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    Location:
    Charlotte NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    so, i hit a deer that was already in the road dead, and it cracks my bumper in two spots, i got the insurance claim done but I'm wondering how to get out of it cheaper.
    the plastic engine guards under the front have come undone and are hanging down to where i scrape going over small bumps in the road.

    ~ i was wondering if anyone has taken these off or looked at them and how i might be able to reattach them myself.
     

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  2. cnschult

    cnschult Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2008
    772
    96
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    unless you go off roading you don't really need the engine guard, its possible they help with aerodynamics and removing them may lower your highway mpg by 1 but it shouldn't have any effect on your city mpg. I drive so rarely on the expressway (that's why I own a prius for the city mpg) I just remove them to make my maintenance easier, that undercarriage engine cover also traps in moisture meaning the components dry out much slower, thus speeding up the rusting process, get rid of it. (I think its held on my plastic clips)

    bondo is for dents and chips, you have a crack in your bumper cover, you have to buy a fiberglass resin repair kit, you want to make the repair on the other side of the bumper and removing the bumper cover is a PIA, if you have ramps and a trouble lamp you may need not remove the bumper cover, depending on how small your hands are and how good your dexterity is at working in tight spaces. (its kind of like making paper mache with layers of resin and cloth)

    A repair like this is definitely worth doing yourself because its so low you don't have to get it 100% perfect, and its almost inevitable no matter how safe you drive that something else will eventually happen to the bumper, and if the next accident is bigger you will get a new bumper professionally installed and painted and clearcoated . . . hope this helps.