Retrofit underbody cladding for durability!

What is underbody trim and what is it good for? The underbody of a car is one of the most important components and it forms the basis for every vehicle on four wheels. Not only does the exhaust meander along it, the underbody also provides a home for other car parts. Overlying parts, axles and wheels are not only protected by the underbody, it also ensures that car occupants do not have to trample on the floor while driving like flintstones. But who else is so interested in the underside of the vehicle? This question is more than justified. Workshop employees, TÜV inspectors and, last but not least, the vehicle owner themselves have a legitimate interest in the vehicle being driven and, of course, roadworthy.

take a closer look at the TÜV

A intact sub-floor must therefore be given. Rust formation should be avoided as much as possible. Preventive measures such as integrating a Underbody paneling can be a useful way to prevent problems and blemishes. A special one Underbody protection, which has been applied often and before Rust and stone chips should protect, usually consisted of bitumen.

Nowadays, however, a mass based on PVC is produced, applied. Big cars often need around that 10 kg of underbody protection, which is usually sprayed on. There is more on this topic in our article "End of the stone chips on the paint - The rockfall protection spray". But there is also another underbody protection? Namely the one Paneling for in terms of aerodynamics.

Improvement of the aerodynamics of the vehicle!

The aim of such a disguise is improve aerodynamics and maybe also to optimize the comfort. In motorsport, there have long been completely covered underbodies and also on Super athletes and hypercars this can be observed more and more often. The fairings protect the vehicle and at the same time improve the aerodynamics. This in turn results in better controllability and, with regard to the racetrack, in improved lap times. For this reason, various trim parts have been made by third parties in recent years Plastic, carbon or metal Manufactured for the underbody of various vehicle types, which can also be retrofitted.

Advantages and disadvantages:

It is advantageous that with a large-area underbody cladding, the air resistance is easily reduced 10% or more (depending on the vehicle) is optimized. The wind can pass the car better less fuel consumption arises and thus even less Exhaust emissions generated. The CO-2 emissions are therefore reduced. The car is also sometimes quieter, as underbody cladding can reduce the noise level.

This not only reduces turbulence under the vehicle, it also improves the underbody screwable cover better protected than by applied spray layers and various protective products. Is disadvantageousthat not with every car an underbody cladding can be retrofitted. And such an upgrade isn't exactly cheap either. Nevertheless, it can even save costs in the long term, as underbody repairs and rust removal are largely eliminated or at least less because the parts are better protected .

Retrofit underbody paneling

One should check whether special Points on the underbody opt for an attachment of a Suitable for underbody cladding. If this is the case, you should check whether it is possible to install the exhaust without any problems or whether the exhaust has to be cut out by means of several plates. Due to the sometimes enormous heat development, the exhaust usually must not be covered with. At a E vehicle but of course it looks different. Same goes for that axlesthe rear silencer and possibly also for the propeller shaft. In short: freedom of movement for the chassis, steering and exhaust system must be always be given.

It is also important to pay attention to the one additionally installed underbody paneling can of course reduce the lowest point of the vehicle even further. The risk of touching down may increase. If the underbody paneling is to be for an off-road vehicle, it is better to use it instead of carbon or plastic Aluminum or steel put. With an off-roader in mind, an underbody panel should come with a Underrun protection an Front and rear axles be combined. A retrofitted underbody paneling always requires one for use in public road traffic general operating permit or a Teilegutachten for registration with a testing organization.

Summary information about the underbody cladding:

• reduces air resistance
• enables noise reduction
• saves harmful PVC protection
• reduces air resistance
• improves aerodynamics
• Freedom of movement for the chassis, steering, exhaust system and maybe even the gearbox, differential and final drive must be guaranteed (cooling) - alternatively, separate cooling using lubricants, oil pan with longitudinal ribs from the underbody design, etc. must be installed, and special cooling channels can also help
• parts of the floor often have to remain uncovered.
• too much cladding can cause the vehicle to take off (Sports car with a lot of power), which is why part of the drag savings in racing is sacrificed in order to generate more downforce

We hope that you have received our information report on the topic / term Underbody paneling (Further designations / keywords are: underbody protection, underbody protection cladding, underbody protection cover) from the Autotuning category.