Oil Change, keep the engine shield or ditch it?

[Optimus]

I re-installed my shield after an oil change. Too much salt, sand, and other debris used on our roads. I used a cordless drill on all the screws, ramps under the front wheels, and had plenty of access. Takes only a couple minutes to get the screws out/in. Not a hassle for me at all.

I will end up getting some spare u-nuts (clips), as they will be easy to strip out, especially since I use the drill with the clutch set low. Having said that, I use the drill to snug the screws, and hand torque for the last bit.

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[Blitz-Hacker]

Speaking especially for the hybrid... i will keep it on.
I recently did the first oil change on mine.
The worst part is the number of screws.
The shield itself is so light and easy to remove/reinstall.
7 months/10k miles in and it was so clean under there.

Benefits of keeping it on seem to outweigh the negatives IMO.

EDIT: should add .. prior to my first oil change ... i did consider keeping it off due
to the perceived hassle of the screws.

I emailed Weathertech and told them I had a product idea. They replied and said that they leave the idea's up to there R&D team and was not interested. I emailed Smartliner and they responded with interest and then after I sent them the idea they said they would consider it and welcome to the smartliner family. My idea was to make a new engine shield cover out of the same or similar material as the floor liners and put access doors for the oil plug and oil filter so you do not have to take the several screws out and fight this cover every oil change. We will see if it gets past the bean counters and the lawyers but I am hoping they send me one to try out soon.

 

[OT18]

Installed a valve for draining the oil and trimmed the shield enough for access to the valve. Used a 4'' hole saw and cut a hole for access to the filter. Shield should never have to come off again.

 

[dcguilbert]

Those of you who are doing your own oil changes. Are you keeping the shield or leaving it off?

There is a “air intake scoop” under my 2.0 eco boost maverick-directs cooler air to the ptu. I leave mine on to keep under engine components cleaner.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Keep it
Protection
Aerodynamic
Cleaner engine bay

 

[kevink]

I'll have to take a look at mine some time to decide whether it is worth doing it myself or not. My first oil change at about 5000 miles I just used my Ford Points. I'm only at about 6000 miles now.

I did my own oil change on my sedan last year. It was the first time in 20 years I had done my own. But at least the car had an opening for the oil change so the whole shield didn't have to come out. I now have ramps, filter wrench, and wheel blocks to allow me to safely do an oil change.

 

[f1jim]

I bought the Rival skidplate and there is no looking back for me. The factory piece that isn't metal offers zero impact protection and I hated those T30 screws!!!! I now am tempted to buy the cat converter plate to match. The Rival and a Fumoto valve was a match made in heaven for me. There is a lot more piece of mind for me doing the mild offroading going to explore ghost towns.
The price was a bit steep but now the investment is made.
f1jim

 

[mwelby]

Those of you who are doing your own oil changes. Are you keeping the shield or leaving it off?

Keep it!

 

[Tbone289]

Keep it!

I'm betting he made the decision to keep or ditch it back in 2023 when he posted this. He probably doesn't care anymore since it's been a year since he's been on this forum.

 

[Cherokee]

It’s for aerodynamics,

It increases cooling efficiency, this is complicated but has to do with funneling fan blown radiator air out through the rear. As opposed to trapping it with turbulent air coming up from the road below.

It quiets road/tires noise from entering the engine compartment then in the cabin from there.
It deflects road debris,
Off road use best with metal.

It’s basically the cheapest way they could lower the aerodynamic quotient.

 

[Master Blaster]

Its probably worth about one mpg in underbody aerodynamic improvement, along with quite a bit cleaner engine compartment. Is there any vehicle made today that does not have an underbody aerodynamic shield? Yes its a small pain at oilchange time, so buy better oil that lasts a little longer.

 

[Prickly Pear]

The biggest bitch for me is not being able to cheat on jacking the front end high enough to get to the back screws - that and the water running down my arms into my pits cause it was a rainy day ;-) Once I raised it high enough it was no big deal doing an R&R. Next oil change I am going to hit each screw location with a spray of white paint (suggestion from another member) so I don't have to hunt around for which holes are used for attachment.
PS - I was planning on leaving it off till I saw how clean the underside of my engine was.

 

[Cherokee]

Its probably worth about one mpg in underbody aerodynamic improvement, along with quite a bit cleaner engine compartment. Is there any vehicle made today that does not have an underbody aerodynamic shield? Yes its a small pain at oilchange time, so buy better oil that lasts a little longer.

I’d guesstimate more like a .2 or maybe a .3 mpg advantage.

We just don’t drive at the speeds where underbody areo is really effective.
Likely comes into play above 50 and makes a solid 1 mpg difference above 80-90 mph.

Can you say, ‘Autobahn’ ?

 

[MaverRick]

There is a “air intake scoop” under my 2.0 eco boost maverick-directs cooler air to the ptu. I leave mine on to keep under engine components cleaner.

Mine has been off for the last 2 oil changes. Maybe I will put it back on next time but that probably wont be till sometime next year?

 

[Tbone289]

You can get away with that in Florida.

For those in the Midwest or Northeast, I recommend you leave it on. I have a 2012 Focus daily driver with 155K miles that is a testament to how effective it is at keeping corrosion at bay.

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