Purpose of Undertray???
03-09-05, 06:51 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Purpose of Undertray???
Hi everyone,
Quick questions here.... is there any mechanical purpose to having that plastic undertray underneath the engine compartment on the car. I am just really tired of removing it when I need to do an oil change. Does it effect engine temperature or the air flow to the radiator for any reasons? Any one here just opt to leave it off? Thanks everyone. Let me know.
Quick questions here.... is there any mechanical purpose to having that plastic undertray underneath the engine compartment on the car. I am just really tired of removing it when I need to do an oil change. Does it effect engine temperature or the air flow to the radiator for any reasons? Any one here just opt to leave it off? Thanks everyone. Let me know.
03-09-05, 07:05 PM
#2
Welecome
It will only effect the airflow beneath the car. Since we aren't in wind tunnels, any negative impact won't be obvious. The only other thing is there may be some additional road dust/dirt that will find way into the engine compartment.
Some thoughts: The oil filter and along with other hoses down there may be subject to damage by road hazards. YMMV
It will only effect the airflow beneath the car. Since we aren't in wind tunnels, any negative impact won't be obvious. The only other thing is there may be some additional road dust/dirt that will find way into the engine compartment.
Some thoughts: The oil filter and along with other hoses down there may be subject to damage by road hazards. YMMV
03-09-05, 07:32 PM
#3
Originally Posted by RA40
Welecome
It will only effect the airflow beneath the car. Since we aren't in wind tunnels, any negative impact won't be obvious. The only other thing is there may be some additional road dust/dirt that will find way into the engine compartment.
Some thoughts: The oil filter and along with other hoses down there may be subject to damage by road hazards. YMMV
It will only effect the airflow beneath the car. Since we aren't in wind tunnels, any negative impact won't be obvious. The only other thing is there may be some additional road dust/dirt that will find way into the engine compartment.
Some thoughts: The oil filter and along with other hoses down there may be subject to damage by road hazards. YMMV
03-09-05, 10:00 PM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Im not sure what year LS you have...
But i took mine off 4 months ago. I live in Seattle and rain is our sunshine. Engine compartment stayed the same as it did when I had the plastic undertray on. No noticeable difference between wind turbulence underneath the car whatsoever.
But like RA40 mentioned about the oil filter and some lines being damaged. Just be careful driving and take your time getting up and down the driveway and you should be fine.
Now oil changes for me is a breeze.
But i took mine off 4 months ago. I live in Seattle and rain is our sunshine. Engine compartment stayed the same as it did when I had the plastic undertray on. No noticeable difference between wind turbulence underneath the car whatsoever.
But like RA40 mentioned about the oil filter and some lines being damaged. Just be careful driving and take your time getting up and down the driveway and you should be fine.
Now oil changes for me is a breeze.
03-10-05, 06:18 AM
#6
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Missouri
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I never had to take off my cover to do an oil change... what year LS are you guys? Im first gen...
But that cover will really help in the snow and just keeps all the crap from the road out of your engine bay. One time i was at the Lexus dealership by me and they claimed it will hurt your MPG if you take it off, but i dont know how true it is, they said it tho.
But that cover will really help in the snow and just keeps all the crap from the road out of your engine bay. One time i was at the Lexus dealership by me and they claimed it will hurt your MPG if you take it off, but i dont know how true it is, they said it tho.
03-10-05, 05:10 PM
#7
Originally Posted by xirforever
I never had to take off my cover to do an oil change... what year LS are you guys? Im first gen...
But that cover will really help in the snow and just keeps all the crap from the road out of your engine bay. One time i was at the Lexus dealership by me and they claimed it will hurt your MPG if you take it off, but i dont know how true it is, they said it tho.
But that cover will really help in the snow and just keeps all the crap from the road out of your engine bay. One time i was at the Lexus dealership by me and they claimed it will hurt your MPG if you take it off, but i dont know how true it is, they said it tho.
They are most likely talking about Aero Dynamics. It might have some effect when you do a lot of highway driving.
In addition, it gives you SOMEWHAT of a down force at high speeds to make it more stable. That’s why all the high-end cars have FLAT underbodies.
EDIT: Wind noise is another reason as well.
Last edited by GRAND_LS 4; 03-13-05 at 11:52 AM.
Trending Topics
03-13-05, 04:24 PM
#8
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Engine Cowling (both top and bottom) became standard on high end cars Circa '90. The top cowl was to cover up the works of the engine for the buyer, who in that price range for transport will never touch anything under the hood.
Only the very front bottom cowl will do anything for aerodynamics, and only at speeds we should not be driving at. However, it does help the under carriage stay clean, which is critical in cold weather zones (road salt rots everything faster).
If you have to remove cowling that often, leave it off, there will be no difference in the car performance that you will see.
Only the very front bottom cowl will do anything for aerodynamics, and only at speeds we should not be driving at. However, it does help the under carriage stay clean, which is critical in cold weather zones (road salt rots everything faster).
If you have to remove cowling that often, leave it off, there will be no difference in the car performance that you will see.
03-13-05, 08:36 PM
#9
Racer
Whoot! Whoot! BS alert!
Originally Posted by ChuckH
The top cowl was to cover up the works of the engine for the buyer, who in that price range for transport will never touch anything under the hood.
If the fat cats don't want to see the engine, then they don't pop the hood.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
