I just picked up the OEM mudguards and was surprised that they have a big pocket at the bottom of the guards for collecting dirt, debris, mud, stones etc... Is this how they are or am I missing something? I feel they should be smooth all the way down like other mudguards so they shed off debris and not collect it! This is the most bizarre design for a mudguard I have seen and makes no sense. Are the other less expensive mudguards sold on prius chat like normal guards? Any feed back appreciated.
The only reason I can think of is to add strength with the ribs while reducing cost versus a full rubber thickness.
I installed the mudguards from the Priuschat shop and I'm not sure what pockets you're talking about. Which mudguards did you get?
Maybe they found in testing that if they made that part smooth like you say, the gunk, (or whatever you call what is spit up by the tire,) would climb up the side of the car. There are considerably sized pockets in both the front and rear mudguards at the bottoms, but the orientation of the opening is towards the front, so as soon as the crud hits it and wind speeds die down it can easily drop out.
I am looking for install instructions for the oEM flaps.Non came with my Amazon package. did lead me to join this forum which looks interesting! Cheers!
We've had mud flaps with every previous car we've had. Until the Prius (hatchback). I thought: ok, I'll give this a try. So far, not missing them. I do know, with mud flaps, I got into a regimen of taking them off ATLEAST every spring, to shake out the grit/mud/compost that accumulated, and try to clean up the metalwork. There's a lot of car "protection" that often does the opposite, don't miss 'em.
You have to drill holes in the wheel well panel to mount them. The smoother side goes against the wheel well. This one was painted; mine are the standard black which I prefer.
My understanding is the owner's painted their own mudflaps probably with spray cans using primer and then color matched cans from the dealer or auto supply.
I painted mine too. Blizzard Pearl. Lasting just fine. They tend to trap a bit of snow etc. but they work pretty well.
