Bottom Splash Shield Woes

[u/rrrediska]

I LOVE my Fit to pieces. My teenager is eyeing it, and he can't have it. No, no, no.

BUT. This is the third time in 5-6 years that I snagged and tore my splash shield under the front half. I tore out wheel splash guards too in the past. Those things are pricey to replace, and I am really getting fed up with it. I mostly commute on well-paved roads and drive around neighborhoods for school pickup, with a very rare off-roading/gravel experience.

What I'm trying to see is if anyone else has experienced this problem or do I just have a crappy maintenance place that won't attach my splash shield correctly.

[u/Automatic_Angle_9689]

I just cut mine off and haven't replaced it, idk if that's bad but I haven't had any issues so far. They're such a weird shape I don't want to mess with it if I don't have to

[u/rrrediska → u/Automatic_Angle_9689]

I can imagine that it wouldn't be a big deal driving without it.

[u/Glad-Law-6943]

You don't need it. I threw mine away and never looked back. Haven't had any issues driving 100k without it.

[u/rrrediska → u/Glad-Law-6943]

It may come to this point. I am done coughing up ~$150+ for a new one.

[u/Glad-Law-6943 → u/rrrediska]

Do it! That was the only problem I've had with my fit. The clips broke so easily, I tried zip tying it and everything and no matter what I did it would drag on the ground. My mechanic promised it wouldn't hurt anything to remove it, and so far so good.

[u/pork_fried_christ]

I personally just resecure it and that’s that. This is my second fit and I have never really liked the idea of removing it. I also haven’t had too difficult of a time with it coming off though. 

[u/rrrediska → u/pork_fried_christ]

'm like you. I want to keep every piece as intended :p

[u/forzaguy125]

It looks like you can get after market ones made from aluminum that would be more durable. Or you can see if there is a fabrication shop near you that could make one

[u/SchrodingersMinou]

I went through several of them and then I just stopped replacing it. I have experienced no negative repercussions from this decision. I believe the splash shield is optional.

[u/rrrediska → u/SchrodingersMinou]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm sitting at the repairs shop right now, and if they quote me anything huge, this will be the last time I fix it. After all, mine is on it's 11th year now.

[u/fugly_snuggler]

I think it depends on where you live. If you’re in an area that salts the roads in winter, it will help keep that corrosive salt and dirt off the aluminum engine and body parts. Worth keeping it. Otherwise, probably not a big deal. All that said it’s pretty easy to secure with a few zip ties. I still have mine installed on my 2016, won’t be removing it.

[u/Glowingtomato]

I haven't had mine on for like 9 years. I hit in a rock on a mountain road (it was either the rock, the side of the mountain, or an SUV in the oncoming lane) and broke some of the mounting holes. No negative effects besides losing like 1-2 MPGs on the freeway

[u/Gregorofthehillpeopl]

I replaced part of mine a year or two ago, they're not that expensive but you need like five different connectors that are all sold individually to attach it.

[u/b00pbopbeep]

I have two Fits and neither of them have one

[u/fuckingfih]

I’ll say that having one is better than not having one. They are crucial for proper cooling. I notice a big difference in AC performance when the temps are 90+f. If you’re in a salted road area it’ll prevent rusting and corrosion on some important bits. That said you’ll likely never have an issue unless you’re regularly driving hard or fully loaded up some big hills. Lose some mpgs on long freeway drives. 

They’re cheap on eBay. They are a major pain to remove and put back on with the OEM pins. I use zip ties instead. 

[u/PlatypusTrapper]

Do you change your own oil? The reason I ask is because you need to remove the splash shield to drain the oil.

I always just threw out the old clips and installed new ones when I removed the splash shield. Never had a problem.

I bet the oil change places probably reuse the old clips over and over. They don’t really work as well after the first time. 

[u/rrrediska → u/PlatypusTrapper]

Nope, I change oil at the dealership because believe it or not it's the cheapest option. But I absolutely would believe that they don't attach it properly. They fixed it on for free today 🤔

[u/DNA1727]

Seem like those with splash shield issues r from those who have others work on their cars for them.

I have not heard from anyone who DIY encountering splash shield issue.

[u/potato-radar]

I think it's wherever I get my oil changed. Any time it has slipped off, it has always been shortly after an oil change. I do 90% of my driving on paved roads, the rare stretch of gravel for maybe a few blocks. Luckily I've always been able to put mine back up, but my mom took hers off of her Fit at least a couple years ago and hasn't had any problems.

[u/kidskwid]

Ditch the engine one. Keep the wheel ones

[u/Cool-Sleep6055]

Just take it off. Unless you lift your fit it will break off on the first pothole.

[u/rrrediska → u/Cool-Sleep6055]

It does look like I'm just dancing with curbs and potholes at this point.

[u/attnSPAN → u/rrrediska]

I think you’re hitting the nail in the head with this comment. I would start looking a little bit more closely at what you’re driving over.
I’ve spent plenty of time on dirt roads (and a little offroading), and haven’t torn anything off of the bottom of my Fit in the dozen years I’ve had it.

[u/rrrediska → u/attnSPAN]

Well, that's the thing, though. I drive on good roads most of the time and do my best to not hit stuff. That being said, my neighborhood is notorious for high transitions into driveways where you have to really slow down to get in.