Skid Plate Busted???

[frenzy2223]

I took my Mazda 3 s into the shop today to get it checked out. Last week the airbag light came on for about an hour and then went off after I turned the car off and back on. The called me to inform me that it was a sensor and they are waiting on the part to come in. They also told me that the plastic skid plate under the front of my car was cracked. They said that this had to be caused by hitting or running over something. This is funny to me due to fact my car is only a little over 2 months old and I did not hit or run over anything. They told me that it would be $265 for the replacement part. I really have no idea what skid plate they are talking about. Has anyone had this problem or know what the hell they are talking about? Im going in on Wed to check this out, cuz Ill be damned if I pay for this. Please let me know!!! Thanks

 

[sftony]

The skid plate is a plate screwed onto the bottom front end of your car. It keeps rocks and other road debris from getting into the engine compartment of your car. Every Mazda3 has one, but I'm not sure what they are made of and how fragile they may be. You'll here about the skid plate if you ever get your oil changed by someone other than your dealer - the plate is held on by 8 or so bolts and has to be removed to complete the oil change.

 

[Fat Mike]

I was at the dealership not too long ago and while I was waiting I overheard one of mazda guys telling a guy that his was busted on his mazda sport and he was pissed it was his first oil change like should the crack that easily??

 

[frenzy2223]

I want to know if this is something that I need to fix ASAP!!!

 

[n1smo]

I want to know if this is something that I need to fix ASAP!!!

Just take the entire thing off. I wouldn't call it a "skid plate" because it is made out of plastic. It is more for cosmetic or maybe a little aerodynamic purpose.

 

[frenzy2223]

I know! That's what the dealer refered to it as, "the plastic skid plate".! I thought it was funny until they told me it would be $265.

 

[MrGone]

Skid Plate...

If it's necessary to protect the car, do you think someone will come out with a more sturdier version of the plate? I don't know, made out of thick aluminum or steel? Can't imagine why they'd put that plastic crap up there. More then likely to hood-wink ignorant customers into shelling out $265 for a new plastic one.

 

[goldwing2000]

It's actually more of a rock-guard to protect all your car's little naughty bits on the bottom of the engine (Oil filter cap, fragile aluminum parts, etc) as well as for aerodynamics.

Do you need it? Maybe.
Can you have one made out of aluminum? Probably.
Find a competent fabrication shop and they should be able to hook you up for about the same cost as the plastic one.

 

[frenzy2223]

Well, I went to look at my car on the lift last night. It looks like I did hit something! The plastic guard had a large chunk taken out of it on the passenger side. Whatever I hit also bent the metal guard on my A/C air compressor. They still want $265 for it plus labor!!! I think I might just leave it off. I was kinda pissed when I called my insurance company to see what they could do. They called the dealer that I went to and the dealer told them that it would only be $160!!! Whets the deal???

 

[jebus]

tell them to leave it off
i have fabricated several of them
its not that hard
just get a nice grade or steel or aluminum and lay the plastic piece over itand trace it onto the metal and bend it accordingly
they cost about 50 bucks to diy