Engine guard plate fall: Hidden Dangers and Countermeasures
On the way back by car on the weekend, a shrill metallic rubbing sound suddenly came from under the car. After pulling over to the side of the road and bending over to check, I found that the engine guard plate had broken free from the fixing screws, with half of it hanging under the chassis and rubbing against the ground to produce fine sparks. This scene made me realize that this often overlooked car component, once it has a problem, could lead to serious consequences.
Although the engine guard plate may seem unremarkable, it is the "first line of defense" of a car's chassis. Its main function is to prevent road debris and silt from entering the engine compartment, avoiding component damage caused by foreign objects hitting at high speeds. When passing through waterlogged sections, it can reduce the direct erosion of the engine's bottom circuit by water flow. In winter, it can also prevent the corrosion of the metal parts of the chassis by de-icing agents. Data shows that approximately 30% of engine failures are related to insufficient chassis protection, while for vehicles with intact protective plates, the frequency of engine maintenance can be reduced by more than 40%.
The fall of the guard plate is not accidental. There are mainly three common causes. One is the installation issue. Some car owners, for the sake of convenience, choose non-professional installation. The screws are not tightened to the standard torque, and they are prone to loosening and falling off after long-term jolting. The second issue is material aging. Plastic or resin guard plates will become brittle after 3 to 5 years of use and may break under low temperatures or severe vibrations. The third factor is external force impact. When passing over speed bumps or crossing curbs, if the speed is too high, or when encountering large potholes on the road surface, the guard plate fixing clips may be directly broken.
When the guard plate is found to have fallen, emergency measures must be taken immediately. First, turn on the hazard lights, move the vehicle to a safe area, and avoid stopping in the middle of highways or main roads. If the guard plate is only partially loose, the edges can be temporarily fixed with cable ties to prevent further friction and damage to the chassis pipelines. If the guard plate has completely fallen off and cannot be retrieved, you should go to a repair shop as soon as possible. During the journey, avoid driving on complex roads such as gravel roads and muddy roads, and at the same time reduce your speed to minimize the risk of exposing the chassis.
When conducting maintenance, attention should be paid to the selection of the material of the protective plate. At present, the mainstream guard plates are divided into three types: plastic, steel and aluminum alloy. Plastic guard plates have low cost and light weight, but their protective performance is relatively weak and they are suitable for driving on urban roads. Steel guard plates have strong impact resistance and are suitable for vehicles that frequently travel on unpaved roads, but they are relatively heavy and may increase fuel consumption. Aluminum alloy guard plates, which combine lightweight and protective properties and offer high cost performance, have become the first choice for most car owners. When installing, it is essential to require maintenance personnel to use original factory screws, tighten them to the specified torque, and regularly check the fixation condition.
The key to preventing guard plate malfunctions in daily vehicle use lies in regular inspection. Each time during maintenance, you can ask the technician to check whether the screws of the guard plate are loose, cracked or deformed. After driving on bad road conditions, promptly clear the mud, sand and stones on the guard plate to prevent accumulation that may cause resonance and abnormal noise. If minor damage to the guard plate is found, it should be repaired in time to prevent small problems from evolving into major hidden dangers.
The falling off of the engine guard plate may seem like a minor matter, but it reflects the significance of "details determine safety" in car maintenance. Only by attaching importance to every seemingly insignificant component and conducting regular inspections and maintenance can we keep the vehicle in good condition all the time and ensure a safe journey for us. After all, in the face of safety, no matter how small the detail is, it cannot be ignored.
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