Home - Versus King

There’s nothing worse than driving over some bumpy or uneven surfaces at high speeds only to hear that high-pitched screeching noise which can mean that your vehicle has picked up some damage after making contact with the ground. For many cars that aren’t as close to the concrete, this isn’t as much of a problem, however for others that are a lot lower or are designed to drive off-road, this can be a common issue which luckily can be avoided by using skid plates. But what exactly are skid plates? And what vehicles can they be applied to? Keep reading to find out all you need to know about these handy additions. How Does A Skid Plate Work? A skid plate is an abrasion-resistant material that is attached to the underside of a vehicle and is designed to protect the undercarriage from abrasion and any collisions made with uneven surfaces. They are always made out of fairly heavy-duty materials to ensure the plates are as durable as possible and can take a lot of punishment when they hit the ground. While they can be attached to the back of a vehicle, more often than not they are fitted at the front of a car and are very recognizable since they usually poke out from underneath. Their main purpose is to protect vital parts of a car including the fuel tank, differentials and transfer box from getting damaged (see also 'What Does Pitted Mean?'), making them a necessity for specific types of vehicles that might be designed to drive off-road. Which Cars Require Skid Plates? While you can attach skid plates to any vehicle to add that extra layer of protection, they are most suited for off-roaders that are much more susceptible to colliding with the ground while traveling at high speeds. As for cars designed to be used in cities, since they are often driving on flat and even ground, the risk of the fuel tank or other car components slamming into the ground is far less likely which is why you usually won’t see skid plates on these kinds of vehicles. They are not just designed for heavy off-road vehicles however, even if you’re a ‘soft roader’ and stick to gravel and dirt roads, skid plates are still incredibly worthwhile to ensure your car remains in top condition after a session. Materials Used To Make Skid Plates While skid plates are always made with extremely resistant materials to ensure they can handle a good amount of damage, they do come in a few different materials. Steel is the most common kind of skid plate you can find since while it is a fair bit heavier than its counterparts, this just means that it can take a lot more punishment while having very minimal effects on your vehicle's center of gravity. Aluminum is the second most popular plate and while it is admittedly lighter than steel and won’t possess the incredible amount of sturdiness that steel does, it is also a lot cheaper and a little lighter which can make it a lot more ideal for smaller cars when you’re worried about if steel might steer the car away as you drive. Finally, there are plastic skid plates which are often made from high-density polyethylene. These are the least popular types of skid plates since while they are still fairly resistant to damage and while they do possess some incredible sliding properties that can make an off-road experience even more enjoyable, they are nowhere near as durable as aluminum or steel. Benefits Of Using A Skid Plate Skid plates can often cost a decent amount of money, usually ranging anywhere from $50 up to $500, so it’s therefore important to know how beneficial installing them to your car will be so that you aren’t throwing away money. The most obvious benefit is the extra layer of protection that is highly recommended to use on uneven ground where the undercarriage of vehicles can easily become damaged. Installing skid plates allows you to fully enjoy driving off-road without having to worry about driving over bumpy terrain or any debris. It also lowers the service requirements for the areas of the car it protects and makes them far more long-lasting. The average cost of a fuel tank replacement is between $1,300 and $1,400 which is a staggering amount of money that can be prevented by purchasing skid plates for less than half that price. For both off-roaders and cars used on flat floors, skid plates can also massively improve the vehicle's aerodynamics which helps to reduce drag while also preventing undesired lift forces and instability at high speeds. Can You Remove Skid Plates? While it’s not a huge downside, one of the more annoying drawbacks of installing skid plates is that you will need to remove them when the undercarriage is in need of service, however this does mean that when you install them, they are not permanently attached to the car and can be switched out or removed whenever you like. You will also need to remove skid plates to do an oil change, and while this can take a little bit of time to do considering the car needs to be lifted up and all the screws and clips need to be removed. This makes it even more important to take the time to decide whether your car really needs skid plates since for some people, removing them can be more effort than it’s worth. Summary For off-roaders who love driving over rockier terrain and want that extra bit of protection, skid plates are definitely worth considering since they can save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run. However, if you are only driving on flat ground and in the cities, they won’t be as much of a priority since it’s very unlikely your vehicle will be picking up any damage from being too low to the ground or driving over any uneven terrain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2x4PBBZftw

Exteriors

Brakes

Interiors

Wheels

Audio & Navigation Systems

Engine Parts

Recent Posts