I have to wonder about all these "fancy" plastic covers that hide 90% of the "ugly" mechanical stuff underneath. Other than beautifying the bay, and giving it an upscale flair, do they really serve any purpose other than keeping dust off of everything? Seems like driving in stop-and-go traffic here in the desert summers(100*+ temps) it's just an additional heat-soak retainer. What say you?

 

No harm in removing them. And living in the desert, you may be better off by doing so.

 

Mostly they help with noise reduction for that quiet driving Lexus owners experience.