You know, those big annoying plastic pieces held on by plastic clips to the underside of the front end. Do you leave them off or keep them on? My 2002 Max still has them in place, but my 96 and 97 bottom covers are sitting in my garage.

Do you replace yours every time you work under the front of the car or do you leave them off?

 

... replace em, there there for a reason

 

Not sure the specific's of what you're talking about, but they're probably there for 2 reasons, 1:aerodynamics, 2: to help shroud airflow for the fans to pull air through the radiator and not from under the car...I can't think of a good reason to remove them unless they are broken, which case maybe not such a big deal, but consider replacing if that's the case.

Again, not sure what pieces you're talking about, just guessing

 

I am referring to the big plastic pieces that clip under the front bumper and go back about 2 feet or so under the engine compartment.

 

yeah, you really want to keep that there...

 

they are there so when you go in a puddle or something it will block off most of the water and wont drown your motor lol and for trash and stuff in the street.

 

OP, why wouldn't you replace them? Is it the PITA factor because you're down there a lot, or are you thinking of colder air in the engine compartment?

 

If you are under there much they are a big PITA. Lots of the 4th gen guys take them off and never re-install them. Might affect mileage a bit, not sure it they do anything more than that.

 

You might want to consider some rubber hoses and other components that are protected by those guards.

 

Besides deflecting water, they take the impact of every stone and piece of garbage on the road rather than the hoses and wires being hit. I keep mine on there. I keep a handfull of replacement plastic pieces on hand that I got from Discount Auto.

 

water in engine bay = WICKED BAD

 

Yeah, leave 'em there or replace them, whatever the situation may require. They protect the engine from water etc.

 

As previously stated, they diminish the entry of water/road debris and to a large extent dirt entering the engine compartment..more specifically, and I speak from experience, they decrease the fouling of your drivebelts, which decreases their wear rate and the probablility of slippage, thus increasing the chance you'll never hear that danged drivebelt squeeeeal.

 

LOL, I was told "they all do that"

 

Mine have been off for years. They aren't on there very well, and tend to get detached, so yeah, I don't need them.

I suppose if you live where there is a lot of salt, then they may be necessary but not here.

 

The tabs that hold them get worn out real easy. I got some metal screws from home Depot and now its on real secure. Btw, it's on there for a reason.

 

Yeah, under my Genesis, those things are attached with metal bolts.