How essential is the plate above the exhaust mid section?

[Deranged Granny]

Remove if your current in-car heating is insufficient. Guaranteed way to warm up the car.

[Powerrr]

Gerr it off!

Wont make the slightest bit of difference providing it is not protecting any fuel lines.

[Riley Blue]

How essential is it.... look at it this way, would the manufacturer have fitted it for no reason?

[chibbard]

If it's a rear wheel drive car, it will be fitted to prevent the heat from the exhaust from melting the propshaft centre bearing rubber (if fitted).

[XG332]

I would remove it and glue some flexible heat sheid on to the floor above it.

[DrTre]

Swat a bit of bacofoil on it.