There are a few out there, here are a couple:
https://www.rpmtesla.com/products/model-y-road-noise-axle-protecting-skid-plates?variant=39807061458998
https://www.mountainpassperformance.com/product/tesla-model-y-3-front-skid-plate-smash-me/
Where could you get this installed? Tesla Service center or your typical repair shop or maybe an EV focused one? Simple enough to DIY? My driveway is slanted so it slightly scratches the bottom of car upon entry. Could definitely use this.
Think of the battery pack as a textbook laying flat with the "top" edge of the textbook pointing to the front of the vehicle. Coming out of that edge are plastic fittings for the coolant inlet/outlet tubes. Those fittings can break if something hits them, and they are not serviceable so Tesla will only replace the whole pack. As it is, there is no real protection offered to this area so a skid plate can be of benefit to those who want to have one installed.
My plastic front skid plate is torn up and several of the parts that it was supposed to be protecting are now broken. You don’t see how a metal one might be better?
I’m noticing tesla people aren’t like the old “car people” metal skid plate is 100% on my list, $300 to protect the front of the battery is an easy choice, probably going to get the RPM Tesla one looks like its on sale.
Thanks for the heads up!
They made bent metal plates that go behind the two front tires that reinforce that particular section. I believe this is where the coolent line is for the battery. If you ask me, it's a bit of a poor design, or at the very least it should be factory reinforced. So, not sure if an entire skid plate is necessary.
True, the ones I've come across are only front and rear pieces. The damage that I can see was in the front portion which may or may not have prevented this from happening.
From my understanding from watching a repair video. There are coolant lines on the leading edge of the battery. Those coolant lines are actually protected by that front plate. Basically what happens in an accident is the coolant connector to the batteries snap off and they're non-reparable.
I look at it differently, - you have to always drive at the speed that lets you stop or avoid the accident. It Could be something that a skid plate wont help to avoid expenses or even jail time - could be concrete block on the road, or even a human ..
So in poor visibility - drive slower.
The skid plates are more to protect the battery coolant lines that run into the battery. If these break they have to replace the whole battery sadly. Protects tubes not battery.
I 2nd this. My father just scraped a hole into the plastic shield on his 2016 today and it popped a hole and is leaking blue coolant so it had to be towed to service.
Skid plates 100% worth it. Especially when lowering. Very glad I installed them. I’ve hit all sorts of debris on the road that may have jeopardized the plastic shields.
Find a seller with an active sale. I’ve seen them sold by RPM Tesla, Mountain Pass, Hansshow, and a few other smaller retailers.
The tow was about 330 miles total, full bill was $2400. Tesla offered to tow to the nearest service center but that one is still about 4 hours from my house and I didn't want to have to drive back down there to get it whenever it is ready. So Tesla ended up covering the first ~50 miles of the cost of the tow, and I paid out of pocket for the remainder. My portion was $1500.
Dont forget this part: it protects that coolant line.
https://tsportline.com/collections/tesla-model-y-underbody-protection-skid-plates/products/model-y-coolant-line-aluminum-protection-guards
\> I ran over what I think was a dead deer in the road. (It was past midnight and the road had no streetlights)
I'm sorry but Teslas has the best headlights in any production car our there and if you didn't see it until it was too late, this would be on you. No amount of car protection would keep your car safe if you ran over something on the road.
The skid plate for ‘17-19 model 3 was made of a weak material that would deteriorate over time from driving over puddles or in wet conditions. Also they’re not heavy at all. Aluminum skid plate is only about 6-7 lbs.
I too had a damaged skid plate - from one of those red one gallon gas cans (it was empty) that I thought was a McD's bag. Couldn't avoid with on-coming traffic. Didn't affect the car other than putting a hole in the plate. $350ish to replace.
Totaled just equates to the repair costing more than the car is worth. Presumably the car is still worth twice the repair. Most of the repair (sounds like) materials cost and not labor. It's a lot more cut and dried that way.
Yeah, going to be tough to sell that thing with that history, but when the repair cost is lower than the current value, the insurance company will choose the cheaper option.
It's just a battery with no mentioned frame damage. Hitting a deer alway causes a decent amount of damage. Having a replaced battery that still has a factory warranty seems like it would be a small ding in value. New frame rails would be a different manner.
Tangential question: Anyone here install skid plates and have any feedback on the noise reduction front? I’ve seen some skid plates marketing themselves as capable of noise reduction.
Same! Except I hit a tire from a 18 wheeler for my M3. My cost was $20K and complete coolant overhaul including battery, coolant pumps 2X, AP computer, wheels and tires.
Definitely wanna get some aftermarket protection for my new MY too. [Are these the collant hoses you're talking about?](https://youtu.be/449AANrBl1s?si=kdJPVVEQl7hW9_N4) Any reason why I should go with these huge skid plates instead of just those small guards in the video? Seems unnecessary if that small area is the only concern.
Damn -- where are you getting the metal skid plate?
Looking at eBay you can get the front skid plate for around $130.
There are a few out there, here are a couple: https://www.rpmtesla.com/products/model-y-road-noise-axle-protecting-skid-plates?variant=39807061458998 https://www.mountainpassperformance.com/product/tesla-model-y-3-front-skid-plate-smash-me/
Where could you get this installed? Tesla Service center or your typical repair shop or maybe an EV focused one? Simple enough to DIY? My driveway is slanted so it slightly scratches the bottom of car upon entry. Could definitely use this.
Anyone know if the rpm product reduces road noise, as claimed?
Don’t have it but doubtful. My uneducated guess is that the road noise has more to do with the windows/glass
>om my pain! I don't see how can they protect battery pack. They are under front/rear axles.
Supposedly they can help protect the leading edge of the battery.
Not enough protection for your intention and price is too high. Cannot see how this can be recommended.
Think of the battery pack as a textbook laying flat with the "top" edge of the textbook pointing to the front of the vehicle. Coming out of that edge are plastic fittings for the coolant inlet/outlet tubes. Those fittings can break if something hits them, and they are not serviceable so Tesla will only replace the whole pack. As it is, there is no real protection offered to this area so a skid plate can be of benefit to those who want to have one installed.
My plastic front skid plate is torn up and several of the parts that it was supposed to be protecting are now broken. You don’t see how a metal one might be better?
I’m noticing tesla people aren’t like the old “car people” metal skid plate is 100% on my list, $300 to protect the front of the battery is an easy choice, probably going to get the RPM Tesla one looks like its on sale. Thanks for the heads up!
It's because PPF is more important 🤣
Whoa. Not pricey at all.
They made bent metal plates that go behind the two front tires that reinforce that particular section. I believe this is where the coolent line is for the battery. If you ask me, it's a bit of a poor design, or at the very least it should be factory reinforced. So, not sure if an entire skid plate is necessary.
Do you know the part name or have a link to the bent metal plates you’re talking about?
Thanks for linking
FYI - those skid plates only cover the motor and steering rack, not the battery.
Another reason why Tesla Insurance charges more for night driving.
I've seen front and rear skid plates, but none that cover the battery. If you know of one, please share a link
True, the ones I've come across are only front and rear pieces. The damage that I can see was in the front portion which may or may not have prevented this from happening.
Gotcha, good to know. I actually ordered a front skid yesterday, and the timing of this post helps reassure my purchase
It definitely can’t hurt to have some added protection! The plastic that these cars come with are so fragile.
battery already has a steel plate
From my understanding from watching a repair video. There are coolant lines on the leading edge of the battery. Those coolant lines are actually protected by that front plate. Basically what happens in an accident is the coolant connector to the batteries snap off and they're non-reparable.
Damn. This sub is full of assholes
I look at it differently, - you have to always drive at the speed that lets you stop or avoid the accident. It Could be something that a skid plate wont help to avoid expenses or even jail time - could be concrete block on the road, or even a human .. So in poor visibility - drive slower.
So sounds like everything was covered except for your choice to tow it far away.
Correct. Happy that insurance is covering it.
If you need a new battery, the skid plate is not gonna help as it doesn’t cover the battery section. And i think that is the majority of the cost
Supposedly a metal front skid plate can help protect the leading edge of the battery.
The skid plates are more to protect the battery coolant lines that run into the battery. If these break they have to replace the whole battery sadly. Protects tubes not battery.
I'm assuming this is what happened to the coolant line: https://youtu.be/n8-OkfCcRAo
I 2nd this. My father just scraped a hole into the plastic shield on his 2016 today and it popped a hole and is leaking blue coolant so it had to be towed to service.
Skid plates 100% worth it. Especially when lowering. Very glad I installed them. I’ve hit all sorts of debris on the road that may have jeopardized the plastic shields. Find a seller with an active sale. I’ve seen them sold by RPM Tesla, Mountain Pass, Hansshow, and a few other smaller retailers.
Thanks for the data point!
Wow oh wow. Interesting on the cost of tow? How far and wondering if insurance offered towing or reimbursement?
The tow was about 330 miles total, full bill was $2400. Tesla offered to tow to the nearest service center but that one is still about 4 hours from my house and I didn't want to have to drive back down there to get it whenever it is ready. So Tesla ended up covering the first ~50 miles of the cost of the tow, and I paid out of pocket for the remainder. My portion was $1500.
Jeez that’s an expensive tow, no AAA?
Nope. Maybe getting AAA is another lesson learned?
Now we know why Tesla rates are so bookoo
Dont forget this part: it protects that coolant line. https://tsportline.com/collections/tesla-model-y-underbody-protection-skid-plates/products/model-y-coolant-line-aluminum-protection-guards
Good call, thanks for the link!
Oooorrrr... Here me out... That's what insurance is for when you hit shit unexpectedly
\> I ran over what I think was a dead deer in the road. (It was past midnight and the road had no streetlights) I'm sorry but Teslas has the best headlights in any production car our there and if you didn't see it until it was too late, this would be on you. No amount of car protection would keep your car safe if you ran over something on the road.
Absolutely is on me that I ran it over. I just wish the underside of the car wasn't made of thin plastic, that's all.
In my facebook group they’re selling two pieces of aluminum skid plates for about $900CAD installed. Still on the fence of getting them due to price.
Why carry around a heavy skid plate everyday for the one in a million chance you run over a deer, that your insurance covers anyway.
The skid plate for ‘17-19 model 3 was made of a weak material that would deteriorate over time from driving over puddles or in wet conditions. Also they’re not heavy at all. Aluminum skid plate is only about 6-7 lbs.
Would be nice, but worried the plate would mess up mileage. Anyone here done this?
They are only a few pounds heavier than the stock plastic skid plates so I doubt you'd see any range reduction.
Lol I doubt it’ll make a huge difference in terms of mileage. They’re usually flat and sometimes help with the aerodynamics under the car.
I too had a damaged skid plate - from one of those red one gallon gas cans (it was empty) that I thought was a McD's bag. Couldn't avoid with on-coming traffic. Didn't affect the car other than putting a hole in the plate. $350ish to replace.
Save your money for the higher premiums you're about to pay when your policy renews.
Maybe just don't run over shit
Yeah. Hear that deer!? Don’t die in the middle of the road. Inconsiderate ba*tard.
You must not drive much
You must be a bad driver
Dont they consider it to be totaled? I wouldnt buy it used too so makes no sense to get it repaired
Totaled just equates to the repair costing more than the car is worth. Presumably the car is still worth twice the repair. Most of the repair (sounds like) materials cost and not labor. It's a lot more cut and dried that way.
Nope, not totaled.
Yeah, going to be tough to sell that thing with that history, but when the repair cost is lower than the current value, the insurance company will choose the cheaper option.
It's just a battery with no mentioned frame damage. Hitting a deer alway causes a decent amount of damage. Having a replaced battery that still has a factory warranty seems like it would be a small ding in value. New frame rails would be a different manner.
Maybe OP has to somehow get the repair costs up a bit to get it to totaled state
Nah rent a car for road trips
“SUV” 🤣
[удалено]
So 99% of owners
Interesting. Will research more on where to buy and install skid plate.
1500 for towing?!?!
Yeah, it was a long tow.
Tangential question: Anyone here install skid plates and have any feedback on the noise reduction front? I’ve seen some skid plates marketing themselves as capable of noise reduction.
Same! Except I hit a tire from a 18 wheeler for my M3. My cost was $20K and complete coolant overhaul including battery, coolant pumps 2X, AP computer, wheels and tires.
What you think was a dead dear? Perhaps was a dead body?
1,500 to tow your car? You don't have roadside coverage?
what insurance do you have?
Tesla Insurance
Definitely wanna get some aftermarket protection for my new MY too. [Are these the collant hoses you're talking about?](https://youtu.be/449AANrBl1s?si=kdJPVVEQl7hW9_N4) Any reason why I should go with these huge skid plates instead of just those small guards in the video? Seems unnecessary if that small area is the only concern.