After a recent service call to the Toyota dealer I noticed that the cover protecting the engine bottom was missing. I went back to the dealer and they insisted that it never had one. I have had this car since it was new. Looking into the engine compartment I can see the ground where I couldn't before. Am I imagining this? There is holes where I would expect a shield to attach. If it had a splash shield, it was there for a reason. I want to buy a replacement if I can find one but I haven't been able to. Does anyone have a 2006 with a shield covering the bottom of the engine or am I crazy?
Our 2005 splash shield fell off too. I bought a new one ($25ish on ebay) but haven't bothered to put it back on. From what I've gleaned here, it may protect your engine parts and it does add a smidge to the aerodynamics of the car, but not much.
Second gen splash shields are not as extensive/complete as third gen? Fourth gen is even more complete I believe. Anyway, here's some info: Splash Shields for 2006 Toyota Prius | Toyota Parts
Well it's possible it fell off when you were on the highway and you didn't even notice.....Mine fell half way off our old 2005 when I ran over a truck tire rethread. Fortunately I was close to the dealer and dragged the thing into the service bay. A mechanic came out and ripped the rest off and threw it in the garage saying these cheap things are useless anyway, don't worry about it. LOL. So I stopped worrying about it.
normally, the dealer should notify you if they find something amiss. but this is so common, they have probably forgotten there is supposed to be one there. that being said, we have had reports of dealers breaking it during an oil change, especially gen 3.
I think the OP may be referring to the Engine Under Cover (the big piece), not just the splash shield. That being said, I am just using the term from my previous Gen III, so I don't know if the Gen II was similar.
There’s 2 engine covers. The smaller front one protects the condenser and is very important. The g2 is very low in th front end and rocks may kick up and hit the condenser and damage it with that cover missing. Ac condenser replacement is very expensive. The secondary cover just covers the bottom of the rad and the sides. You most lilely lost the front one, The small front one is $48 oem last time I looked. Don’t bother buying the eBay version there worthless they come in the mail rolled up there so flimsy.
Here's a shot of my mangled covers. I sheet metal screwed and tie wrapped them all up. The cover on the right is the important one. The engine side shield looks like a real pain to replace. If anyone does ever have to replace that front fod cover dont forget the toyota style screws & clips they will all be destroyed too.
