Warning: don't drive over snow banks this winter!

[hungt1999]

I did some rust proofing last weekend and had a chance to have a good look to the underside of the car for the first time.

I noticed many components that could be potentially damaged if you drive over snow banks and rub the underside of the car so be careful if you have to drive over snow banks:

- the post-cat oxygen sensor is sitting there and crying 'please hit me!'
- the lines from the charcoal canister
- the fuel neck from to the gas tank (plastic) sitting pretty low
- the oil filter is sitting really low and could be knocked
- the two small flaps near the front wheels just behind the front bumper cover (anybody know what is their purpose other than getting you stuck in the snow!?)
- the antirust rubbery material could be scraped off (this is true for any car)

If you live in a snow city like Montreal, you know what I am talking about. Sometime you have to park your car on the streets, you have to drive over snow banks that could be about a foot in height that are more or less present thorough the winter on the side of the streets. Just be aware and be careful or get out and shovel before parking! sigh!

[Londonguy]

Know what you mean. Already been stuck in moderate snow, never had that before with any car. Very disappointing. What antirust rubbery material are you talking about, is this something Toyota put on at the factory?

[hungt1999]

Originally Posted by Londonguy

What antirust rubbery material are you talking about, is this something Toyota put on at the factory?

certain areas under the car and in the rear wheel weels have that soft wavy rubbery like coating for rust protection

[djb383]

Originally Posted by hungt1999

.......- the two small flaps near the front wheels just behind the front bumper cover (anybody know what is their purpose other than getting you stuck in the snow!?)...........

They're there to scrape and grind on parking curbs. I waved a magic wand over ours (10mm wrench) and poof, they disappeared.

[GatoradeBoy]

Does anyone know their real purpose though? I've thought of removing mine but I tend to not mess around with stuff if I have no idea what it is for.

[hungt1999]

for sure they are there for a reason, they did not put it there for fun nor for cosmetic reason

I am going to have a real good look again at those flaps to guess what is the reason for their existence

[djb383]

........and there's 2 more in front of the rear wheels.

What do these flaps do?

[cabur]

[quote=djb383;2569563]........and there's 2 more in front of the rear wheels.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...aps[/quote]

Could it be for preventing snow buildup? If that piece flaps snow will fall off. Just my guess.

[djb383]

They're rigid and look/feel like they could easily break.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by hungt1999

- the two small flaps near the front wheels just behind the front bumper cover (anybody know what is their purpose other than getting you stuck in the snow!?)

As far as I know? stability.


Cause I mean they interrupt the flow and are against the wind... increased drag right? I thought it was to minimise turbulence around the front of the wheel i.e. force the air around the edges of the tyre rather than hitting the tyre but then my professor suggest stability. Maybe someone can explain the idea further?

[hungt1999]

I remove one of the flap and had a good look at it. Its construction does not suggest any aerodynamics purpose, it is pretty square with sharp reinforcing edges. If it were made for any aerodynamic purpose, you would expect to see some kind of airfoil profile (like the wing of an airplane, the upper edge has more surface than the lower edge to create lift)

I tend to think it is there to prevent ice and snow build up in the wheel well by creating a physical path for the water and direct it towards the ground

the other possible purpose is the reverse mudguard, this is especially useful in the snow when you are spinning your tires in the reverse direction and this is to protect bystanders from being spashed with the snow


wait! did somebody mention there are flaps for the rear wheels too? hmm

[GoodOBoy]

Originally Posted by hungt1999

certain areas under the car and in the rear wheel weels have that soft wavy rubbery like coating for rust protection

Not there for rust protection (though it serves that purpose as well), its there for noise and vibration reduction. Its also inside your trunk, and inside on the floorboards.

[GatoradeBoy]

BINGO Vibration reduction! Its the only answer that is completely logical

[pmcd76]

i'm going to have to agree on the reverse mud flap, from what I can tell so far after getting hammered with 20cm of snow.

[djb383]

What about the 2 flaps in the rear? Also, notice that the flaps (front & rear) are off center from the tires.