Splash guards for 2005 Matrix???

[cosmicblue05]

Being a new owner of a Toyota Matrix, and driving in the snow/slush in the East coast, I am experiencing extreme dirt on my side windows due to the slush on the roads. Now I don't have front splash/mud guards around my wheels, but I am just wondering if this would help? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[xrs22]

I'm guessing it would, i mean i don't live in those kind of conditions, but it should be good. Personally i don't like them but in your present conditions it's suitable.

[Trixster]

i wouldnt get them for my car either but if the case calls.....

[watsigdunk]

It doesn't help anything because I'm using it, since Matrix wheels are large and those dirt usually comes from the side of the tires, My Trix always very dirty at the side door till to the back, specially the the hatch window

[Trixster]

go to www.mcgeorgeparts.com they have some pretty good stuff there

[Pioneer]

Originally Posted by cosmicblue05

Being a new owner of a Toyota Matrix, and driving in the snow/slush in the East coast, I am experiencing extreme dirt on my side windows due to the slush on the roads. Now I don't have front splash/mud guards around my wheels, but I am just wondering if this would help? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm in Toronto and the city uses tons of salt on the roads so we have lots and lots of slush to deal with.

I have them on my XR as standard equipment. If they were not there I would have added them to the car. In snow/slush the car is going to get dirty no matter what, and yes even with mud guards my side windows get dirty but not anywhere near the "extreme" dirt you are getting. In my opinion they do make a positive difference. We've had them on our last two Camrys as well and, we definitely saw a difference over our first two Camrys that didn't have them. I'm assuming you have a base model since you don't have them. I don't know how much they will cost from Toyota but if it's not to much you might want to consider adding them.

I can't say for sure that it will make a difference for you but I personally wouldn't be without mud guards on a car again.

As far as the back window/hatch goes it will still get dirty even with the mud guards. It has to do with the shape of the vehicle - that's why you see similar shaped cars/hatchbacks/wagons/SUV's with a rear wiper. I had a VW Rabbit (Golf) and a Ford Bronco without a rear wiper on either and it was awful.

Anyway that's my 2 cents. Good luck and enjoy the Matrix!

[cosmicblue05]

Thank you for your help. I actually experienced the slush/salt when I was driving to Toronto from NY. But it is just as bad on the roads in the US as well. I have an 05 XR with the QP option, however, the splash guards in the US seems to be an option. I will take the splash guards into consideration. In the meantime, a squirt bottle and a squiggy come in handy.

[Trixster]

you could get the fender flare kit to stop a lil and also give it a more aggressive look or you could just get the mud flaps. i was thinking about getting the flares cause they'll make my ride look good!

[CraigW]

Factory "Splash Guards" are always the first item I install. Well worth the $ just to prevent rock chips to the lower area. Not perfect but IMO a good idea.