Is This Car “part” Actually Important??

[Anonymous]

First + foremost, let me begin this post by stating that I am a single, middle-aged F.
Trust me…. This IS pertinent information when reading my posting.
Lol.
In other words -> aside from knowing where the steering wheel is located that is the extent of my car knowledge.

Anyway I have a 2012 Honda Civic.
About a wk ago, I noticed a sound coming from what sounded like beneath my car….it sounded like something was open, kind of like air was coming inside.

I ran my car through the automatic car wash to see if there were any cracks in my windows or doors, etc. but since no water leaked inside, I guessed not.

I noticed that the faster I drove my car, the louder the sound was and then I heard something break from underneath my car and when I pulled over - it turned out to be a large part of the metal undercarriage that fell off.
Specifically part of the metal that covers the underside of my vehicle.

It covered about 1/3rd as there is still part of it remaining (or it appears as I examined the bottom of my car w/my amateur mechanic eyes.)

My question:
My car runs fine now, the noise is gone.
However how critical is it to have this metal part underneath my car at all??
I am not even sure what this part is even called?

My cousin (a M, not a mechanic) told me I need to replace this as it will protect the underside of my vehicle from damage but my next door neighbor told me not to waste my money replacing it.

Please!
Help! Can someone tell me what I should do about this?
TIA!

[Anonymous]

Heat shield?

[Anonymous]

Possibly….
Thx for the suggestion.

I will Google it and see!

[Anonymous]

If it is or was the heat shield then you would have heard a banging sound from underneath your vehicle, and your vehicle would have possibly also vibrated or even clanged. Heat shields usually do not tear off since they are usually built to last for the lifetime of the vehicle’s existence. However they can break if there is much erosion in the air’s atmosphere.
Keep the component that broke off do not discard and take it to the shop so that way you can know for sure what part is needed to replace.

[Anonymous]

If you heard a swallowing air noise then it was gone after the metal piece fell off it may be the metal sheaf that covers the bottom of all vehicles cannot remember the name of it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heat shield?

If it was the heat shield she would have burned up on re-entry

[Anonymous]

How big was the piece? A heat shield is relatively small and looks like a half pipe. If the piece was flat it may be a part of an undercarriage cover, which protects the engine or transmission from dirt and road debris. Next time you take for an oil change, ask the mechanic if they can replace it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How big was the piece? A heat shield is relatively small and looks like a half pipe. If the piece was flat it may be a part of an undercarriage cover, which protects the engine or transmission from dirt and road debris. Next time you take for an oil change, ask the mechanic if they can replace it.

This. Recently had similar issue with undercarriage cover. It’s not ‘mission critical’, you can drive without it for a while but you want to replace pretty promptly.

[Anonymous]

Definitely the heat shield. Mine had to be reattached to my Honda too

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you take it in OP? It won’t be a major fix but can be dangerous to drivers behind you on highways

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First + foremost, let me begin this post by stating that I am a single, middle-aged F.
Trust me…. This IS pertinent information when reading my posting.
Lol.
In other words -> aside from knowing where the steering wheel is located that is the extent of my car knowledge.

OP, it's enough just to say "I don't know anything about cars." You don't also have to perpetuate stereotypes about women. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

NP who is really happy people helped the OP. When I read her post I wished I had a direct line to those NPR guys (Click and clack?). Y'all came through!

[Anonymous]

Misogynist loser. I am also a middle aged female and I know far more about cars than my husband. Grow up, baby OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Misogynist loser. I am also a middle aged female and I know far more about cars than my husband. Grow up, baby OP.

OP Here:
Yikes!
I actually was speaking tongue-in-cheek here….
Trying to be funny but I guess I did not succeed!

Mic 🎤 drop.
Hahaha!

That being said, thanks to those that responded back.
I appreciate it a lot!

[Anonymous]

Op your attempt at “humour” just made you come across as a stereotypical idiot.
Choose your wording careful next time especially if you are looking for serious responses.
And your use of emojis as a middle aged woman makes you appear immature and unstable too