So i've had my fit for about a month now and just looked underneath it for the 1st time. It looks like most of the car has black plastic "skid plates" to help protect the underside and possible help with the aerodynamics of the car.

My question is that when i open my engine compartment, i can see the ground. If you look straight down under the engine, to the left and right are plastic guards but the middle "directly under the engine" is wide open. Is your fit the same. If you look close it looks like there should be another piece that fist in the middle of these two side plates to form one large skid plate. I'm wondering if there is such a piece and my dealer just didn't install or have it? Its too dark to go try and take a picture of this now but i hope someone else has noticed the same thing? Anyone???

Thanks

 

Mine is the same way.

 

Closest thing I can think of is the Beatrush underpanel. I'm not sure if GEs have it though.

Even on the GDs, the engine splash shield (the "skid plate" you're talking about) doesn't really cover directly below the engine. I think Honda did this for maintenance purposes. I've bought and DIY-replaced my own engine splash shield, and it's basically a U-shaped plastic apron held up by clips at the wheel wells and the front bumper's trailing edge.

 

Nothing missing on your Fit. I actually took a look under the car at the dealership to make sure it did not have any scuffs or anything and mine is the same way. Most likely it was for cost reduction.

 

here is a few pics of what i have.
P4100031.jpg?t=1251953351

P4100030-1.jpg?t=1251953354

P4100033.jpg?t=1251953358

 

The engine is one of the hottest parts of a car.You need heat escape. Cold air comes in through the front of the car passes by the engine circulates around the engine compartment heats up then escapes from the bottom of the car.

 

Nice pictures - thanks for posting gave you some rep. I always wanted to see underneath the Fit but it is too low to do without putting it up on jacks. Nice to see! Yup! That is normal for the car to see clear to the ground. I think it is the first car that I've ever been able to do that with.

Cat :x

 

thats some good observation... the additional factory mount holes for a full plate are _interesting_

I wrote this up the other day
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/eco-...-diffuser.html

yes theres probably more you can do to cover it, but obviously you have to plan on something for venting heat/air

 

It could be a cost savings thing, or it could be for good reasons. A/C water and oil drips. Stop dirt, salt, and silt from accumulating, etc. Someone mentoned cooling, but hot air rises. It might be a bernoulli effect thing, who knows? I'm just glad I don't have to remove panels to take the oil filter off, LOL.

 

Plasticy undertray....and under that is the floor

 

yes hot air rises, but when there is airflow, the hot air will go with the airflow.

 

Thanks for the info guys. It's nice to see that mine is not missing anything. If you look close it still looks to me like it was intended to have another piece of plastic under the engine or at least the condenser parts.

 

because the under covering is mostly for aerodynamics/drag...not protection. Even though it doesn't hurt.
As for the condenser being exposed a lot of cars condensers are exposed. My CL-S was the same way. You gotta think when they are on the track testing these vehicles its usually just them on the track. Not a lot of debri flying up when there is no one in front of you.
I do agree car manufacturers should have better protection in front of that condenser but I also think they should all have clear bra or built in heavier duty clear on the front of cars but we can't have it all. When it comes down to it its all about cost savings.

 

because if you cover the condenser, you would also effectively be covering the oil filter. that would really cut down on the ease of maintenance.

 

Pretty sure he means covering the condenser from the front - i.e. a lower grill to block rocks and debris from damaging the condenser.

There really is no good reason to cover the bottom of the motor. It doesn't have any real benefit, and adds another step to even rudimentary maintenance like oil changes. I was thrilled when I looked at the Fit on the showroom floor, and saw how wide open the access to the oil filter was - literally NOTHING in the way from just reaching up in there and getting a good grip on it!

The cover over the belts, however, makes sense - while a properly tensioned serpentine belt SHOULDN'T squeal, it certainly doesn't hurt to keep the pulleys and belt dry when the weather gets nasty. They did it right.

 

i have an 08 xterra that has a full metal skid plate under the engine and I love it. I'm up in NY and the salt, crapy weather takes a toll on everything under the car. I don't mind at all taking the extra 2 minutes to remove the 4 small screws that hold this plate on to gain access to the oil filter. Your down there anyways when the oil pan is draining so no big deal. I would think that honda intended something to go there as you can see on the two small black pieces on either side that cover the sides of the engine bay have cutouts as if there should have been a middle section

 

I think they are drain holes