These two plastic screws for the under cover are stuck and ive pretty much destroyed the philips head by constantly trying to unscrew them.

Is there a specific technique to take these off??

 

Use a flathead screwdriver and just pry it off. Have replacements on hand

 

Buy a couple of replacement expansion plugs, before you destroy the existing ones.

Use a flat head screwdriver, wedge it under the head of the plastic screw and force the head up. Otherwise just use force and destroy the screw.

 

Our CPO LX came with th4e undercover gone daddy gone.....and I so no need other than for a maybe slight increase in mpg.....and I' overjoyed with what I'm getting - don't do a lot of hwy driving other than vacations, so ...I don't miss what I never had

 

u have to go REAL easy on those tabs.

at this point you'll have to break them off I suppose. hold the screw head with a straight pick tool to prevent it from spinning and drill a small hole next to it. just drill through and pull out the screw portion.

 

Just take something sharp. I use a raiser blade.. Use Phillips to turn screw.. turn with Phillips then pry open with raiser blade.. I've done 11 oil changes.. still factory fasteners...

 

Problem is the screws are easily damaged during removal if the tech isn't careful, and even my local dealer doesn't stock them, let's alone Wally World. If one of them is damaged, and no replacements are available, what do you suppose they do? Right, they shove it back in and hope for the best.

 

I picked up a few at the dealer. They had to order them, they don't stock them. Now that seems strange and confirms why some people having their oil changed at the dealer end up with the shield coming off.
Part Number 91514-TG1 T01 .75 cents each

 

I've heard so many horror stories about the under pan that I will ask the service dept to leave it OFF when I get my first oil change. Stories like the pan comes loose, rattles, and the worst can happen; dragging on the road. How embarrassing.

 

it's really not THAT bad... its the dealers and their express oil change folks screwing it up.

ive removed the GK's lower shroud 3x now for oil changes and washing the under carriage. no issue.

 

This is why I prefer to do my own oil changes instead of trusting the job to some ham-fisted hammer jockey (my Father's term).

 

Out of curiosity. Do you elevate the Fit with ramps or jack stands?

 

I use ramps and it's a piece of cake.

As others said, it's easy to remove and I've done it a few times for oil changes. Funny the only time a screw was left off was when the dealership did it because the first oil change was free. Of course I knew to double check after the work was done but only when I got home.

 

My intention is to get my first oil change for free, ask them to leave the under cover OFF. Return all bolts and clips to me. Thereafter, I will put the front end on a Rhino ramp and change my own oil/filter. Shouldn't take longer than 10-15 minutes. BTW, I never warm up the oil when I change out the oil in my other cars. I never found that to be necessary.

 

Yes I don't warm up the fit to change the oil, other than driving up the ramps. 0w-20 is pretty thin and flows easy.

 

I'm using "Race Ramps" which are made out of some sort of high tech foam. Works very well and good for 1500# each. I still have a concern about this material and always place the jack stands with just a little clearance as a back up.

 

Lots of folks have had issues with higher mile fits AC clutches, without the under-tray the pump hangs at bumper level on my GD, ran mine for a while without the tray (It was trashed from PO.. and as soon as it rained the clutch would slip and squeal until it warmed up (Each time the defroster cycled and no it was not the belt... ). With the under tray it stays dry.. I bought a tray off amazon and it has a cut-out for filter access and the drain.

YMMV..

 

in salt belt states, that shroud prevents undercarriage wash water to get to the components below that need to be rinsed of salt. you have to remove it to wash ur undercarriage properly.

 

Homemade ramps made from three overlapping layers of 2X10" boards.

 

Should not the thread title be 'Plastic Screws Suck" ?