You can find a plastic undercarriage cove on virtually any modern make and model of vehicle authorized for road use today.
If you have ever taken a look underneath today’s cars, trucks, or SUVs, you’ll find a lot of plastic tucked into those spaces underneath the vehicle. They’re located around the drivetrain more than other places, but additional protection is added to the front and middle of the chassis to reduce impact concerns.
Are these undercarriage plastic covers an accessory, or are they a necessity?
Is It Okay to Take Off My Undercarriage Plastic Cover?
The plastic undercarriage cover protects the sensors and wires on today’s vehicles. This structure prevents road debris, branches, curb impacts, and other potential hazards from damaging these components. They should not be removed to ensure crucial elements continue functioning.
Air flows underneath a vehicle in the same way it does over the top. When the shaping isn’t streamlined, the resistance created from this encounter can impact your fuel economy. That’s because of how drag interacts with movement.
Streamlined surfaces are as important below the vehicle as they are on the top. You might even say that the undercarriage plastic cover is equivalent to a spoiler for high-performance cars.
When the undercarriage cover is securely attached, it smooths out the different spaces and pockets where the air gets trapped.
Simultaneously, it delivers extra protection from impacts, grime, or winter salt that could encourage corrosion.
The best designs allow the cover to funnel air toward where it needs to be instead of relying on coolant alone for transmissions, brakes, and other components. Air is even diverted into the radiator with this technology to improve performance.
Why Shouldn’t the Plastic Undercarriage Be Removed?
Most drivers have had at least one encounter with a curb or a parking barrier. When you impact this hard surface, a scraping sound is heard in the cabin. Although the sound is concerning, it is also evidence that the part is doing the job it was designed to do.
You want the plastic undercarriage to take the hit instead of your sensitive systems. The wires and sensors could be disabled when smacking into hard surfaces, even at low speeds without it.
That means the vehicle might fail to operate as expected, even with a low-speed collision.
Although it might be tempting to remove the cover because of how it looks, the goal is to create the safest driving experience possible.
Trust the automotive engineers that designed the undercarriage protection because they included the tray for specific reasons.
How to Remove My Undercarriage Cover on My Vehicle
Although removing the plastic undercarriage cover isn’t practical for aesthetic purposes, it is sometimes necessary. If the component becomes damaged or the tray starts wearing thin, replacing the part with a new one is helpful.
The signs and symptoms of a damaged plastic undercarriage barrier are individualized and inconsistent, so they can be difficult to hear or spot. Here are the most common issues that occur when damage exists.
- A metal rattle can be heard, like there’s something loose and bouncing against another surface constantly or intermittently.
- Scraping sounds occur whenever you’re driving, encounter a speed bump, or need to climb a steep incline.
- You’re getting fewer miles per gallon than before without changing your driving habits.
- The plastic components can be seen hanging from the vehicle upon visual inspection.
The issue you’ll encounter on many makes and models is that the undercarriage cover is often a dealership-only part.
That means you’ll need to work with your closest business to secure it. You don’t need to hire them to install it, but you’ll likely get the sales pitch.
Most vehicles have a front and a back pan that could require replacement. These items are often bolted to the bottom of the vehicle to ensure they stay secure.
You’ll need to determine if one or both are damaged to determine the extent of the repair.
You’ll need to locate the bolts or clips that hold the cover in place. For most vehicles, a socket wrench and a flat screwdriver are the only tools you’ll need. Look for plastic push tabs that you’ll need to pull out.
These push tabs are sometimes called fairing clips or pop rivets. They’re found on almost every vehicle today, including motorcycles.
Steps to Follow to Remove Plastic Push Pins
The installation and removal of plastic push pins are relatively simple. It depends on the central pin’s position relative to the outer rivet.
When you see the central pin flush and lined up with the rivet head, that indicates it is installed correctly on the undercarriage plastic cover. That means the ribs of the piece are flared out to create a secure connection.
These steps will help you remove them to remove the damaged cover or tray.
- Make sure the vehicle is on a flat and safe surface. You don’t want to be conducting this repair on a gravel driveway or a slope!
- If you recently drove your car, ensure that it has fully cooled before starting to work on the issue.
- You’ll need to jack up the vehicle high enough to access the undercarriage cover that requires replacement. The AFF 3.5 Ton Steel Quick-Lift Service Floor Jack allows you to get it up quickly.
- Place a jack stand under the first side, ensuring it is completely secure. The OTC S06 Jack Stands deliver a strong, versatile holding experience that can handle virtually any passenger vehicle.
- Lower the vehicle onto the jack stand. Once it is secure, repeat by lifting the other side to place another jack stand.
- Do not start working underneath a car, truck, van, or SUV until it is completely secure. If it is only propped up on the jack and not a stand, the risk of having the vehicle fall is significantly higher, leading to potential injuries.
- Push the central pin in by pressing on the top of it with the screwdriver. Try to keep the tool positioned in the middle to prevent it from sliding off and scratching the component.
- Apply firm pressure to the pinhead until it releases by popping forward.
- Remove the pin. You can remove the result of the assembly at this time if you plan to reuse the pop rivets for the replacement undercarriage cover.
- Continue until all the plastic pins are gone.
- Once you have the new tray in place underneath the vehicle, you can reinstall the clip by resetting the rivet head. Keep the central pin partially pulled out so that the flares are contracted.
- After the pin is correctly positioned, push it into the installed position. You might need to use the screwdriver to gain enough leverage. It should snap into place.
You’ll need to use the socket wrench to remove any bolts that hold the plastic undercarriage in place. The owner’s manual for your vehicle will let you know what size to use for this task.
Is There a Difference Between Aftermarket and OEM Parts?
Although some aftermarket providers offer an alternative plastic undercarriage cover for some makes and models, it is almost always better to purchase the part from the dealership.
The plastic tends to be thicker and sturdier when using an OEM part. Some aftermarket components don’t sit straight once installed, even when using a compatible item.
There is an exception to this rule. If you go off-roading or drive in difficult conditions, it might be worth considering an upgrade to a steel skid plate.
You’ll receive more protection for the gearbox and engine, have a longer lifespan to use, and receive more protection for the linkage and frame.
Most skid plates are made to fit the specific model year of each vehicle. You can also find racing or bumper-style options for some cars.
One of the best examples of this design element is the Hooke Road Wrangler JK Front Skid Plate.
It offers a textured steel installation that offers compatibility with Jeep Wrangler JK models from 2007 to 2018.
It mounts on the front, offers a five-year corrosion guarantee, and delivers an impressive amount of under-engine protection.
Even though it is made from stainless steel, the new metal cover adds just 18 pounds to your setup.
Can I Drive Without an Undercarriage Cover?
With the average vehicle coming with 30,000 different parts, it’s not always easy to keep track of everything. Each one has the potential to fail, creating unsafe or undesirable driving conditions. The undercarriage cover is technically optional, but it’s better to drive with it than without it.
My first vehicle was a 1979 Mercury Capri. It was a beautiful car, with a red leather interior, and lots of comfortable upgrades. I had the hatchback version, so it sat five and still gave me some trunk space.
A friend and I in high school took our group to the park to kill an afternoon. He took his vehicle into the grass while I parked in the lot. Peer pressure led me to join him.
Everything was going great until I hit a tree root. It bounced the car, impacting the ground, and it was hard and fast enough to cause the undercarriage tray to crack.
You could hear it snap inside the cabin.
At first, I thought I was done. I could envision someone calling about our off-roading, getting found in the grass, and having a long conversation with my parents.
The car kept driving, I pulled back to the street, and we jumped out like it was about to explode – which it didn’t.
The replacement plate was about $60 at the time, and I did all the work at home myself. While I was at it, I took care of the serpentine belt and a couple of additional repairs to keep it running strong.
I loved that car. It got me almost all the way through college. Although it’s resting in pieces at a scrap yard somewhere, the lessons learned have helped me take care of other undercarriage barrier problems over the years.
You can drive without an undercarriage cover, but you’re risking a lot without much of a reward by doing it. Consider a replacement, even if you need the dealership to do the work.
