Importance Or Purpose Of Guard Under The Front Bumper

[coryjd]

There's a piece of plastic that runs underneath the front bumper of the Silverado. Does anyone know it's purpose, if it's necessary, or if it will "hurt" the truck if it's not in place? I was driving through some corn-stubble and mine got ripped off.

 

You can see it here in this picture

[Gregorio]

It helps keep air from going under the truck which improves fuel economy, stability and cooling.

[coryjd]

It helps keep air from going under the truck which improves fuel economy, stability and cooling.

 

Could that be the reason why my fan keeps kicking on at weird times, including when I'm just idling, sitting in the driveway?

[BruceW]

My owners manual says it can be removed when offroad for additional ground clearance but that it should be reinstalled for proper engine cooling.

[coryjd]

Interesting. The same clueless dealer I've been dealing with, told me it doesn't matter to have this piece on the truck.

[Gregorio]

It does nothing when the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly. Its benefits increase as speed increases.

[dlewis1111]

It helps keep air from going under the truck which improves fuel economy, stability and cooling.

 

Could that be the reason why my fan keeps kicking on at weird times, including when I'm just idling, sitting in the driveway?

 

 

Your fan kicks on in the driveway because their is no air going through the radiator to cool the engine. It heats up triggering the fan, which in turn, pulls air through the radiator to cool the engine. Mine has been off for a while now and I don't see any difference other than acutally looking better.

[Matt_]

Take it off, it does nothing.

 

The main reason its there is for 1/2 mpg in the EPA testing... which probably translates into 1/4 mpg in real life (if that). It prevents turbulence from developing under the truck at higher speeds thereby decreasing drag and helping airflow through the engine compartment to "aid with cooling". (i personally believe that the "cooling" aspect of this piece is a load of _____. And not for nothing, even if it does slightly decrease the efficiency of your cooling system, that just means that the thermostat will open more and still keep your engine at operating temp... so yea, just take it off)

[Stevens03]

I tested with and without for a while and saw no difference

 

I do have it on,... however you don't need it.

[Zembonez]

Many people in here have taken them off for cosmetic purposes and they have had no issues at all. I doubt you would ever notice and difference in MPG.

[reidrhollander]

I removed mine accidentally on purpose wit a snow bank. Absolutely no difference.

[sabre364]

Take it off, it does nothing.

 

The main reason its there is for 1/2 mpg in the EPA testing... which probably translates into 1/4 mpg in real life (if that). It prevents turbulence from developing under the truck at higher speeds thereby decreasing drag and helping airflow through the engine compartment to "aid with cooling". (i personally believe that the "cooling" aspect of this piece is a load of _____. And not for nothing, even if it does slightly decrease the efficiency of your cooling system, that just means that the thermostat will open more and still keep your engine at operating temp... so yea, just take it off)

 

Agree 100% with what is written here. Take it off and dump it.

[4wd]

May be for a look and and very small fuel saving at cursing, may be good for small cars but not for a truck!.

If it was an after market people will buy it.

[Quint]

Marginal-if-any MPG improvements aside, this piece provides improved handling at highway speeds due to increased downforce applied to the front end. I've said this on the forum before and gotten laughed at, but it's true nonetheless.

 

People who say this does nothing are wrong. It just has an effect that isn't blatantly notable by the senses except to those who find it an eyesore.

[High Plains Drifter]

I'd say this piece of plastic provides as much downforce as the trunk spoiler on a Corolla.

 

I took mine off a while back. Couldn't stand the way it looked. Truck's got enough plastic on it.