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Removing skid plate

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Steelerfan2018, Dec 16, 2022.

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  1. Steelerfan2018

    Steelerfan2018 Member

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    2011 Prius
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    Four
    Hi all,
    Long story short - I've heard some grinding noises and went and had my garage check for something wrong. What they found was that the skid plate (the plastic thing under the engine compartment) was severely beat up and was just hanging there. Since it was so bad, I had it removed.

    Q - is it OK to keep it this way? It seems like every speed bump etc. that I go over damages this thing and it is a complete pain.

    Thanks,
    Rob
     
    #1 Steelerfan2018, Dec 16, 2022
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You don't need it. It does protect the undercarriage. You can find replacement on ebay.
    It does mess with the Aerodynamics so you "might" see mpg changes.

    A lot of cars don't have them.



     
    #2 ASRDogman, Dec 16, 2022
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    The attached TSB has info on the fasteners. I've taken ours off and back on, about 30 times. It'll last, IF you do your own maintenance, keep on top of the fasteners, if they're damaged or missing. If the shield's intact, just missing a few fasteners, that's all you'll need to get it secure. If some of the fasteners holes are torn, oversized washers may help, for the interim.

    Replacement with OEM should be a bit under $200 USD. I plugged in a Pittsburgh zip code and picked Rohrich Toyota for this link, hopefully shows the same for you:

    https://parts.rohrichtoyota.com/productdetails.aspx?makeName=toyota&modelYear=2011&modelName=prius-hatchback&stockNumber=5141012105&ukey_product=62930564&referer=parts.toyota.com&machineIDT1=25l41s5n4s41jr0g1hi1hibf

    If you were to need fasteners, they're summarized in the attachment.

    To keep it going, remove occasionally, clean out all the plastic fasteners with hot soapy water, and put a drop or two of oil on the steel bolts. IIRC there's more info in the oil change link in my signature.
     

    Attached Files:

    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 16, 2022
  4. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Mine doesn't have one.....a slight risk of road debris causing damage...but I have seen no effects in 6 years, including gas mileage.
     
    #4 bettergolf, Dec 16, 2022
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