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Is the plastic panel under the hood needed?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by joephu, Apr 15, 2008.

  1. joephu

    joephu New Member

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    I changed my stock headlight bulbs so I had to remove the plastic panel in the engine compartment. It was easy enough to remove but is the panel really necessary? It doesn't seem to protect anything. Is it a dust shield or an air flow devise? Or something else?​

     
    #1 joephu, Apr 15, 2008
  2. derkraut

    derkraut Member

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    I'm sure Toyota wouldn't have placed the panel there if it served no purpose. I'd guess it assists with maintaining correct engine temps and/or aerodynamics.:cool:
     
    #2 derkraut, Apr 15, 2008
  3. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

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    I think it is only there to make the look more pleasing.
     
    #3 morpheusx, Apr 15, 2008
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I don't think that the panel is "necessary". The Classic model does not have the panel. However since the panel is easy enough to remove and replace, why not replace it so that your car maintains its factory-new appearance.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Apr 15, 2008
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I think it's mostly for looks, maybe a little bit to keep you from reaching down there while the fans are running. Mines been off for about 3 years with no untoward effects.
     
    #5 efusco, Apr 15, 2008
  6. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    It can't be for aerodynamics or looks -- it's a plain black plastic panel under the hood.

    Don't know what its intended function is, but if I remember correctly its flat surface is large enough to serve as a little shelf to hold some hand tools, lunch and drink while you're working under there.

    Joephu - hey what did you replace the stock oem bulbs with?
     
    #6 Boo, Apr 15, 2008
  7. joephu

    joephu New Member

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    That's funny:) I think it's for aesthetics too. My Saab 9-5 had a very similar panel around the oil filler cap and throttle body. One day I broke a clip and just tossed the thing out. I may do the same once my Prius is past warranty. But then I guess I will have to figure out how to keep my radiator cap clean.

    I actually replaced the OEM bulbs with Philips X-Treme Power. I had these on my Honda CR-V. I use to use Slyvania Silverstars but I find these slightly brighter. Also the Silverstars only lasted 9 months on average and I was told these last much longer. They are definetly much brighter over the OEMs.
     
    #7 joephu, Apr 15, 2008
  8. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Yes, I have the Phillips X-Treme Powers. They have to be the brightest aftermarket halogens out there. But don't be surprised if you only get 6-12 months or 6-12k miles use out of them.

    The anecdotal info here isn't much, but I think usbseawolf2000 only got around 6k miles from one bulb and around 8k miles from the other. Tideland Prius also has them and he's in Canada so they're always used as DRLs. So far, I think his are both working after around 6 months. I only drove my Prius 2800 miles last year. So I expect mine to last a few years, if not many miles.
     
    #8 Boo, Apr 15, 2008
  9. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Given the amount of crud that accumulated on my panel over the
    winter, and the fact that the front inner hood seal comes down
    pretty firmly along it, I would think that it *does* help keep
    the engine area a little cleaner. But the engine still got its
    own share of crud anyways, probably from underneath.
    .
    _H*
     
    #9 hobbit, Apr 15, 2008
  10. SyCo

    SyCo Member

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    I think it may also be used for cooling. At least on some vehicles similar plates are sold as an upgrade for radiator cooling. It prevents the air from "escaping" at the top.

    Similar to this
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    #10 SyCo, Apr 15, 2008
  11. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

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    maybe its a safety device so people dont touch the HIDs and kill themselves!
     
    #11 rigormortis, Apr 16, 2008
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