# Under car protective engine panel **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mazda3, mazda\ **Created:** [October 23, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/under-car-protective-engine-panel/56744 "2010-10-23T17:07:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toady1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@toady1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/toady1)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/under-car-protective-engine-panel/56744/1 "2010-10-23T17:07:13Z")
Our Mazda3 lost it’s plastic engine protective cover that’s under the car’s engine. Is this something that I need to replace or can I let it go? It’s very pricey to replace. Also, I live in Salt Lake City, Utah where we get a lot of snow. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/under-car-protective-engine-panel/56744/2 "2010-10-23T17:12:11Z")
Replace it. Try the boneyards and the aftermarket parts suppliers. That cover protects your engine from being disabled by wash, and in some cases it enhances the air flow to help with cooling. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/under-car-protective-engine-panel/56744/3 "2010-10-23T19:39:39Z")
I would replace it. It likely will help keep your car quieter, protect the engine area from various road stuff and may give you better mileage or cooling. It likely is not critical, but I would replace it.