Among thousands of different parts of your vehicle, a simple plastic cover under the engine doesn’t seem that important. So, when it breaks or wears out, can you drive without an engine splash shield?
Although you can drive for a while without a splash shield, I strongly suggest against using a damaged shield. The splash shield protects the engine, transmission, and other nearby parts from water, mud, small rocks, and dirt. Hence, a worn shield can cause serious damage to the engine and transmission.
Read on to discover what happens when you drive without an engine splash shield. I’ll also discuss what you can do if the shield comes off unexpectedly.
Why You Shouldn’t Drive Without an Engine Splash Shield
The splash shield or skid plate protects your vehicle’s engine from all types of damaging environmental elements. When you use a worn shield or drive without it, you’ll face the following issues:
1. Direct Exposure to Dirt and Pollutants
An engine splash shield is necessary to prevent dust, dirt, polluted water, and other damaging contaminants from entering the engine, oil pan, and transmission.
To run your vehicle smoothly, factors like temperature and pressure inside the engine must be maintained precisely.
Therefore, when the protective shield is missing, the engine won’t run optimally, leading to reduced vehicle performance.
2. Mechanical Damage to Engine and Transmission
Apart from dirt and debris, your vehicle also comes in contact with flying objects like small rocks, stones, gravel, nails, etc.
As you drive, these solid elements can directly hit the undercarriage components like the oil pan, suspension parts, or exhaust system.
This way, removing the shield often results in dents, cracks, or even punctures, leading to leaks, misalignment, and reduced performance.
3. Increased Risks of Rust and Corrosion
Rainwater, snow, moisture, salt, and polluted water from puddles easily reach the undercarriage of your vehicle when the splash shield isn’t there.
As most components of the engine and transmission are metal, they are more vulnerable to water damage. Over time, the trapped moisture will create rust and corrode the engine parts.
4. Oil Contamination
The splash shield covers another crucial part of your vehicle – the oil pan. Without the cover, moisture, dirt, debris, sand, etc., might enter the oil pan through gaps or imperfections in the engine seals.
Road salts, de-icing chemicals, and other contaminants will also join and ruin the oil quality. It will increase friction among the moving engine parts and increase wear.
5. Leads to Expensive Fixes
Driving without the splash shield for an extended period will eventually cause serious damage to all the parts of your undercarriage. Repairing or replacing these parts is a complex process that requires professional attention.
Not to mention the expenses, which are estimated to be over $1,000. On the other hand, replacing a splash shield is easy, and the cost ranges from $10 to $300.
In my humble opinion, it’s worth purchasing a new shield now rather than spending thousands a few years later.
6. Reduced Aerodynamics and Fuel Efficiency
With advanced engineering, most splash shields are designed to offer better aerodynamics. When installed, they reduce drag, which in turn increases your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Taking the shield off means providing additional surfaces to create air resistance. As a result, the amount of drag increases, and you get lower mileage.
7. Excessive Noise and Environmental Concerns
Dampening noise and turbulence is another key reason to have a splash shield installed. Otherwise, when you drive on highways, the excessive wind will keep whipping under the car.
The increased noise will make your trips uncomfortable. Apart from that, the shield also stores any spilled liquid from your vehicle.
In its absence, these burnt and used liquids will directly spill on the road and create environmental and safety issues.
8. Might Void Your Warranty
Never drive without a splash shield when you have an active warranty. Some manufacturers consider the shield a crucial component of the vehicle.
Therefore, when you drive without it, and it leads to damage to the engine components, your warranty might not cover it.
How Long Can You Drive Without an Engine Splash Shield?
I suggest you drive without the splash shield only for a short while until you find a suitable place to replace it.
If your vehicle is in good condition and you can’t replace the shield immediately, you can drive on for a few thousand miles without any serious issues.
In any case, consider the following factors:
- Your Vehicle’s Condition: Don’t drive without a splash shield if your engine, transmission, and other nearby parts have worn out. Follow the same rule for any cracks, dents, or leaks in the undercarriage.
- Driving Conditions and Driving Habits: Rough roads, frequent off-roading, and Aggressive driving significantly increase the risks of damage. Don’t drive in such conditions for a long time.
- The Climate of Your Area: If rainfall or snow is a common occurrence in your locality, don’t drive for long without a splash shield.
What to Do If the Engine Splash Shield Breaks?
Over time, the splash shield becomes weaker and eventually breaks or becomes unusable. In this case, you can go for a temporary fix and permanent replacement.
You can identify a broken shield from symptoms like a rattling noise during driving, and reduced performance. Here’s how to fix it:
Temporary Fix with Zip Ties
- If the shield has loose parts or it’s only cracked, you can use zip ties as a temporary fix. Start by removing the shield from the front bumper of your vehicle.
- Take off the screws, bolts, and retaining clips that hold the shield in place. Clean it with a suitable cleaner like the SuperClean degreaser.
- Now, drill two holes in each side of the crack and insert the zip tie through the holes. Tie it up while bringing the broken or cracked parts together in the right alignment.
- Repeat the process and use several zip ties to completely seal the cracked area. For smaller cracks, use epoxy glue to bind the pieces together. Here’s a video you can follow.
Installing a New Splash Shield
- For this, first, lift your vehicle with a jack and secure it to have a better look at the components. Remove the retaining hardware and store them for later. You’ll only need your regular tools, like a screwdriver or wrench.
- I recommend purchasing an OEM shield, but aftermarket parts will also work. Fit it in the exact location of the old shield and reattach the hardware.
- Once secured, lower your vehicle and test drive your vehicle to check the fit. With a snug, newly installed shield, there shouldn’t be any extra vibration or noise. Follow this video for the necessary visual aid.
Final Words
Although you can drive with a splash shield, it’s not a safe choice at all. As it’s not an essential part of starting the engine or keeping the car going, it won’t be a problem in the beginning.
However, as time passes, you’ll notice increased wear, reduced performance, and lowered fuel efficiency due to the absence of the shield. The cheapest shield only costs you $10 and it’s super easy to replace it without any professional help.
Therefore, it’s best to replace the shield as soon as possible to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
