Splash guard and assists in aerodynamics I do believe. I'm pretty sure someone else may have the definitive truth of its primary purpose.

 

It's either something you ran-over, or a temporary covering for transit...unless I'm out here in left-field by myswelf!

 

No it's definitely part of the car. Like a blanket for the undercarriage. But can I just get rid of it is the question of the day.

 

I believe its main purpose is to reduce road and wind noise in the cabin. You can remove it.
Or just rip off the piece that's hanging down. That's what we'd do at the rental company.

 

I believe its main purpose is to reduce road and wind noise in the cabin. You can remove it.
Or just rip off the piece that's hanging down. That's what we'd do at the rental company.

Figures that is what would be done on a rental. I do remember 15+ years ago when taking my mother-in-laws old Passat in for an oil change in Dorchester the guy (some cousin or similar of hers) said they normally just take the plastic under engine cover off of VWs and Audis and throw them to the side but because he knew us he would re-install it. Never went to that shop again...

 

It technically has several purposes. To protect sensors, wires and other things from getting damaged by rocks or sticks etc and it’s also for aerodynamic reasons. I wouldn’t remove it unless absolutely necessary.

 

I've got a friend coming over tomorrow with some wheel ramps so we can get a better look at it, but I think I'll have to replace it if it's protecting stuff.. Also I think it may be dampening noise from wet roads, but that's just a hunch.

 

Update... After putting it on the ramps I was able to get a better look. There are 4 panels covering the under body, one under each seat essentially. Two are on each side of car. The two pieces on the driver side overlap by about an inch and share bolts at their junction. I removed those bolts and was able to tuck the rear piece (the one with issue) back under the front piece and reinstall the bolts. There's some minor damage, but nothing visible and no tape was required to hold anything in place. The pieces are held together with metal bolts and some plastic bolt like plugs. It looks like 2 of those plastic plugs came off. If I ever find the part number I could order them and secure the piece better, but if seems ok as is. I did have a gash about 3 inches in diameter near one of the outer bolts so I did add some black gorilla tape over that.
Drove 90 miles today at speeds up to 85mph and no issues.

 

They are plastic push pins. There are universal kits that have all of the different sizes for $15 or less

https://www.amazon.com/GOOACC-Retainer-Plastic-Fasteners-Chrysler/dp/B07L6FJGR4/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Plastic+Pins&qid=1615314668&sr=8-3

 

These worked on my vintage: Push-pins

 

When we first bought the car in June, I accidentally ran over a tire tread on the freeway and ripped the undercarriage. Had my dealership replace as I was worried the undercarriage was protecting parts

 

Did you say cloth?

 

He means cloth like. These panels are on almost all new cars to do as others said, provide minor protection , create sound barrier and better aerodynamics . Makes it a real pita to do minor things like change oil, and if someone else does it they sometimes don't properly put it back on or loose pins. Others treat your car just like the rental company.😁