Often mud flaps or splash guards look like an additional feature in your car. Even some car owners believe in the misconception that you don’t need mud flaps if you don’t go off-road. However, they are vital accessories regardless of the type of car you drive. So, are mud flaps or splash guards worth your money? Any disadvantages? Keep reading to explore more.
What are mad flaps?
Mud flaps are also called mud guards or splash guards. They are plastic, rubber or metal flaps attached behind tires to a car’s front and back fender. The main goal of having mud flaps/ splash guards is to prevent mud, stones, and grit from splashing onto your car while driving. They also prevent water from splashing on pedestrians while driving through puddles on the roads.
Mad flaps come in different styles to fit various types of cars, from sports cars to SUVs, trucks, passenger cars, etc.
Are Mud Flaps Worth It?
As many mud flaps seem unnecessary, they’re vital accessories in your car. Below are some of the benefits of mud flaps or splash guards:
Protects your car paint from being chipped or damaged
One of the pros of installing a mud flap on your car is that it protects your paint job and the overall body from dirt and mud.
Also, less dirt on the body means fewer trips to the car wash.
Protects your car’s undercarriage
Mud flaps protect your car’s undercarriage (chassis and fitting found on the bottom of a car) from debris. Debris stuck undercarriage increase repair costs over time due to increased rust. Installing mud flips will decrease the corrosion rate on your car’s frame.
Protects other road users from being struck by gravel and water
Having mud flaps on your car is an element of courtesy to other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. For instance, the mud guard prevents water and gravel from striking other users if you’re driving on such roads.
Contributes to the visual appeal of your car
Mud flip or splash guards enhance the beauty of your car. Mud flips come in different styles, colors and materials, thus making it easy to get fits for customizing your car. You can even install custom-made mud flips on your car.
Hassle-free maintenance
A mud flip is not that one car accessory that will stress over maintenance, yet it keeps your car in good condition. Above all, mud flaps are easy to clean.
Are There Any Cons of Mud Flips?
Mud flips also have a few cons. They include:
Mud flips tend to fall off
Mud flips tend to fall, especially if they are not installed correctly. It’s because the screws or bolts holding them become loose over time.
They may flap in the wind
Mud flaps may sometimes be in the wind and make noise while driving at high speed. However, this depends on your mud flap’s size and material. Some mud flaps are sturdy and made of reasonable sizes that fit specific car models; thus, flipping in the wind is not likely to happen.
Not all cars have a place to install mud flaps
Some cars don’t have holes where you can fit mud flaps’ nuts, thus making it difficult to install them. However, you can always get creative and drill some holes if you really need to mount them on your car.
FAQs
Are plastic or rubber mud flaps better?
Both of these mud flaps are great in their ways. Rubber flaps offer durability and are more flexible and suit heavy-weight vehicles such as full-sized trucks. On the other hand, plastic flaps are not super flexible but can withstand harsh conditions, and they often suit smaller cars such as sedans.
Are mud flips expensive?
Some mud flips cost as little as $30 to as much as $300 per pair. A car dealer may charge anything from $8 to $90 per pair to install mud flips for you, depending on your type of car and mud flips. However, others may charge an hourly rate.
Final Thought
As you can tell, the benefits of having a mud flap on your car outweigh its disadvantages. Therefore, mud flaps or splash guards are worth it. Additionally, installing mud flaps is pretty straightforward and requires the use of basic tools.
Mud flaps are a great deal for car owners who want to protect their paint job and undercarriage from road damage caused by debris and rock chips while driving. It’s cheap to spend on a mud flip compared to spending more on certain repairs in the future.
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