The big piece of plastic under the engine that should be removed when changing oil. Is it important, for example, to significantly increase the longevity of the car? Or it is pretty much useless except keeping the under a little bit cleaner and quieter (thus the name Sound Dampening Pan)?

Mine (for a 2000 A6 2.7t) partially fell on the highway just now and it's quite badly damaged. If it's not important, I am going to run without it. Is that a good idea? Thank you very much!

 

1. it saves your engine compartment from dust 2. it prevents from stones hitting crankcase

my personal opinion - for driving highways it is useless

 

LOL -

The pan has a number of uses beyond protection from dirt and stones. The major use is aerodynamics. It acts like the belly pan on a Salt Lake speed machine to smooth the airflow under the car. It lowers the effective frontal area of the vehicle by lowering the exposure of the firewall to high-pressure air. When properly installed it helps duct air though the radiator by producing an area with slightly lower pressure near its trailing edge so there is a higher-pressure drop across the radiator. The lower under hood pressure also increases the downforce on the front of the car. In normal driving it doesn’t matter, but it is certainly a cool thing to have.

I hate the Audi clips because they are a pain and have been know to come loose if not secured correctly. I usually supplement them with black tie wraps. I actually drilled a few holes to make it easier to use the tie wraps.

 

PS almost forgot--- It makes it easier to find a wrench or screw when you drop them.

 

:-) good point about the aerodynamics

 

offers good protection, I would reoplace it if I were you. I think they are 120 bucks.

 

I worked on my Audi before a long road trip and didn't put it back on, you could feel a huge diffrence at freeway speeds. it made the front end feel like it was floating.
As soon as I got home I put it back on.

I would definatly put it back on. plus it helps keep water and dirt out of the engine compartment

 

good information, guys.

Mine didn't have it when I bought my car, I totally forgot about it.

I will get one at dealer soon. $120? sure?

 

Go here its only 164.88. In my opinion it's deff. worth it.


http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...bcategory=Body

 

I would def recommend you put it back on or buy one ASAP. Ive heard stories of debris and other crap getting into the engine via underneath w/o under splash. My auto teacher also told me he had a friend whos Audi overheated due to him taking the guard off. I dont know how he makes sense my teacher is a smart guy so i would believe it.