Undertrays and oil changes

[MakaveliX]

Couple of months back one side of my under-tray came loose and was hanging off, the mechanic did a quick and free job within 5 minutes and cable-tied it back into place. Nice and secure now.
Today the other side came loose, so I cable tied that too ( I had to as it was rattling around )

the only thing is, next time I get my car serviced and the oil changed, will this pose a problem ? As obviously it's not held in by bolts any more because they were ripped off due to wear and tear

I think it entirely depends on the car make and model right ? As on YouTube some Toyota's don't need the tray to be removed to drain it.

Thanks

Update: Had a look under the car and it looks like where the oil drains out isn't underneath the under-tray so won't need to be removed at all.

With that answered, do you guys think under-trays are important ?

Edited by MakaveliX on Monday 21st March 17:17

[shake n bake]

Just re-cable tie it and you’re good. Either that or replace the fittings at a much greater expense.

[KungFuPanda]

Surely any garage worth its salt will have zip ties to re attach the undertray after removal?

[TooLateForAName]

Who does oil change from below these days? Oil pump through the dipstick.

[stevemcs]

TooLateForAName said:

Who does oil change from below these days? Oil pump through the dipstick.

We still do, some manufactures state oil should not be extracted - VAG petrol engines being some of the recent additions.

We would either fit some new screws if we had them or reclip up after work has been completed. It also gives you chance to check the underside of the engine for leaks.

[Kellerman]

If they don't have access for the sump plug I remove and discard the whole tray

[MG CHRIS]

TooLateForAName said:

Who does oil change from below these days? Oil pump through the dipstick.

Most people also if oil filter is below then still need to remove tray to replace it.

[SteveR1979]

Really???

I mean, REALLY???

[andygo]

My bmw 320d and Porsche Cayman don't have a dipstick, all electronic these days. Silly concept in my opinion.

Make it very hard to see if the shyster garage has even changed the oil as you can't dip it to check.

[stevemcs]

It takes longer to check the oil now compared to changing it, once you have gone through the process of asking the car for the oil level check.

[POIDH]

I think I would be right in saying garages would have both snips and fresh zipties. Maybe.

(And the right cars have access panels in the undertray for exactly this. Mine has access hatches in the wheel arch for timing belt changes too.)

[GranpaB]

SteveR1979 said:

Really???

I mean, REALLY???

[QJumper]

Re-usable cable ties.

[mickyh7]

Why bother reattaching it?
I read they were introduced to stop noise pollution, for Germans housed close to fast roads.
They shouldn't affect your car at all.
I've removed almost all of mine on past cars, for access to the sump, and had zero problems.

[Limpet]

After years of German cars, my i30N is very refreshing in this respect.

Big hole in the undertray directly under the oil filter. As in big enough to get the oil filter and your hand back through.

Smaller hole in the undertray directly under the sump drain plug.

A proper dipstick to check the oil. And it's made of bright metal, not black plastic, so you can actually see the oil level against it clearly.

All very simple and conventional stuff, but makes you wonder what other (French and German) manufacturers are playing at by making stuff like this difficult. I think our Scenic survived 2 undertray removals before the weld on one of the captive nuts inside the front chassis leg broke and the bolt just turned uselessly.

Edited by Limpet on Monday 21st March 13:12

[Old Merc]

Just done an oil & filter on my Merc’ C270.
Six bolts to remove the plastic cover on top of the engine, to get to the oil filter. 12 screws to remove the “Surfboard” under the engine, to get to the drain plug.

[Panamax]

Or just throw away the undertray. Cars never used to have them. Their only purpose is a gnats whisker of mpg.

In the meantime zip-ties are fine.

[bangerhoarder]

Undertrays prevent a lot of much buildup in the engine bay. The difference they make can be huge - the aerodynamic benefits directly relate to that (road much gets sucked up there!) can make a big difference to corrosion on things like power steering pipes, alternator etc.

[MakaveliX]

Had a look under the car and it looks like where the oil drains out isn't underneath the under-tray so won't need to be removed at all.
Couldn't locate the oil filter though

In regards to how important they are. I think they are, as I read that it can stop debris getting underneath the car - there are also cabling underneath my under-tray so I'd assume it's there for a reason. Probably helps with aerodynamics but negligible amounts. Also less road noise, but not sure how true that is.

Do you guys think under-trays are important ?

Edited by MakaveliX on Monday 21st March 17:17

Edited by MakaveliX on Monday 21st March 17:21

[Summit_Detailing]

Definitely quieter with one attached.
I removed a broken one from a previous car and drove it for a week without, until the new tray arrived - it was definitely noisier at motorway speeds.