What the hell fell off my car?

mcp

This morning I noticed something silver hanging from underneath my bumper.

While driving, it fell right off.

What is this and is it important?





I marked where it fell from. It's a 2009 Pontiac Vibe.

mts

its a heat shield

mcp

Is my car going to blow up if I don't fix that?

Xaquin

no, but whatever it was protecting could potentially take damage from the road

mcp

Cool.

Thanks, folks!

BouwsT

To expand, that heat shield is directly above your muffler. It's either going to be a shield to protect wiring or fluid lines, OR it's a quality of life thing to prevent the exhaust heat from making passengers/cargo above it uncomfortable from the heat. I can't really tell, but it doesn't look like there is much above it, so I'm guessing it's the latter.

If possible, have it re-installed ASAP as it was put there for a reason. It's unlikely to leave you stranded though.

Xaquin

BouwsT wrote: »

To expand, that heat shield is directly above your muffler. It's either going to be a shield to protect wiring or fluid lines, OR it's a quality of life thing to prevent the exhaust heat from making passengers/cargo above it uncomfortable from the heat. I can't really tell, but it doesn't look like there is much above it, so I'm guessing it's the latter.

If possible, have it re-installed ASAP as it was put there for a reason. It's unlikely to leave you stranded though.

this is true

I thought it was maybe the one under your exhaust that is there to keep rocks from hitting your muffler or to keep your exhaust from setting tall grass aflame in the unlikely event you drove through a dry field

if it's the one above your exhaust, you won't get stranded in the middle of nowhere, but definitely get it reattached

mcp

Good to know.

I'll see about getting it back on.

thanks!