You may be wondering why your car needs mud flaps. Well, the common misconception with most car owners is that you don’t need mud flaps if you only drive on paved roads and not off-dirt roads. However, that is not the scenario. Do not underestimate the protection that comes along with installing mud flaps on your car.
In this article we will have a look at some of the pros and cons of mud flaps, discuss whether you need them, whether they make a difference, whether they slow you down, among other things, So stay tuned for more.
Pros and Cons of Mud Flaps
To start with, there is a huge difference between mud flaps and mudguards. Mud flaps are flexible whereas mudguards are inflexible: flaps are made of soft materials and there is likely a reason why. With that in mind, let’s get a glimpse of why mud flaps are superior!
Pros of mud flaps
- Offers great protection to your car’s undercarriage and panels
It doesn’t matter what type of road you are driving on, they all have dirt. Mud-flaps are likely to protect debris from reaching your car’s undercarriage which consists of the chassis, frame, axle, and all fittings found on the bottom of the car. This is very crucial! Having debris getting stuck in between such parts will only mean extra repair costs. Besides, your car safety should always be your primary concern, and mud flaps will simply offer you that.
- Ensure road safety
We all know that driving lessons not only offer road safety for you but also for other road users. Mud flaps too provide the same element. Installing mud flaps on your car shows an element of courtesy to other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. If you are wondering how then try installing a custom-made mad flap and you will be amused by its great benefits such as reducing vision impairment to other road users. They prevent debris and water from splashing on other drivers’ windscreens especially if you are driving at a high speed.
- Mud flaps will make your car appealing
If you are a show-off guy, consider installing mud flaps on your car. We mentioned earlier that mud flaps are flexible, meaning that they come in different shapes and sizes that will fit in perfectly with your car.
Cons of mud flaps
- Some cars do not have holes in which you can fit the mud flaps and this makes it difficult to install them.
- If not properly installed, the mud flaps can fall off.
- Choosing the wrong mud flaps can make them rub against the ground which will make them curve back. This will hinder your car’s appearance and the mud flaps won’t be able to do what they are supposed to do.
Do You Need Mud Flaps?
The general rule for most car owners is, if you can purchase them, then why not install them? It doesn’t matter what type of car you are driving, having mud flaps on your car is a must. As mentioned earlier, mud flaps offer great protection to sensitive undercarriage car parts. You can increase the lifespan of your car and reduce rust and corrosion by installing mud flaps.
In general, you have to consider the pros and cons of mud flaps before purchasing them. Depending on where you live it is worth noting that some areas have regulations regarding mud flaps. For instance, some areas have laws that require cars to have mud flaps installed especially for the semi and dump trucks to provide greater protection to the nearby traffic from all kinds of debris propelled by car tires.
Do Mud Flaps Make a Difference?
Mud flaps do make a huge difference. A car without mud flaps will likely require regular maintenance compared to one without mud flaps. They are a great investment and will save you money and time in the future. They provide hassle free maintenance while keeping your car in prime condition. They make a difference in protecting the undercarriage of your vehicle which would otherwise be vulnerable in their absence.
Since mud flaps are relatively cheap, why not consider having them installed on you because of the huge difference they can give on your maintenance costs?
Do Mud Flaps Slow You Down?
There isn’t a definitive answer to this question but it is believed that mud flaps add a tiny bit of drag to vehicles. Some truck drivers complain that mud flaps add drag and slow down vehicles on the road but this hasn’t been proven. Besides, nowadays there are many aerodynamically designed models that reduce the dragging effect. Perhaps you can consider taking a challenge and drive some kilometers with the mud flaps installed and when not installed. You are likely to find out that there isn’t much difference, instead, your car runs fine regardless.
Most mud flaps are made of rubber hence making them flexible enough giving them less chance of affecting the speed of your car.
Do Mud Flaps Affect Gas Mileage?
Most car manufacturers will admit to you that the effect of mud flaps on gas mileage is pretty insignificant. Most mud flaps are aerodynamically engineered. In simpler terms, the flaps are ventilated or fixed with louvers to improve airflow along the car’s undercarriage. This makes it such that they do not affect gas mileage.
Do Mud Flaps Keep Cars Cleaner?
Mud flaps won’t surely keep the whole car clean but will help keep the undercarriage areas and areas around the wheels clean. As mentioned earlier, the good thing about mud flaps is that they are all weather. They keep out dirt, tar, water, and all sorts of debris that you are guaranteed to find on the road.
Mud flaps will help prevent some parts of your vehicles from coming into contact with such debris which as a result help prevents rust. A rust-free car is a clean car!
What Are Mud Flaps Good For?
As we have already seen from the pros of mud flaps, they are good for protecting your car’s undercarriage, they make your car appealing, and also protect other drivers from debris that may be flung up by your tires. They are therefore a must have.
Do Mud Flaps Prevent Rock Chips?
Mud flaps can aid in reducing stone chips to your car’s undercarriage. This however depends on how they are mounted. Installing mud flaps will help prevent these rock chips from making it out of the fender walls by pushing them aside, especially for car owners with a car with large tires.
Why Don’t Cars Have Mud Flaps Anymore?
The number of cars with mud flaps has declined over the years. So the question is what could be the cause of such a trend? First, some people do not like the look of mud flaps on their cars. Second, roads today are being maintained regularly therefore reducing the necessity of mud flaps. Lastly, cars nowadays are made with shields underneath which act as mud flaps.
Now you know the pros and cons of mud flaps. If you get stuck making up your mind on whether to get them for your car, read the article again to get a better understanding.