- June 12, 2014
Your Car’s Heat Shield Does Exactly What Its Name Implies
There are many ways that your car can generate heat. Because of this, some of the car’s components must be protected. It is not only the components of the car that require protection from this heat, however, as you and any other passengers can be impacted by the heat generated by your car, as can the environment surrounding your car. This is why your car’s manufacturer included a heat shield on your car: To protect you, your car, and the environment from the intense heat that your car can generate.
What Is the Heat Shield?
The heat shield is a plate that serves to insulate many parts of the exhaust system. There can be multiple heat shields, and these parts of the exhaust system tend to generate significant heat which can cause damage in any number of ways. The damage that can be incurred may be to other parts of the car, to you and any other passengers in the car, or to the environment that your car is in when it is running. On the contrary, the newly designed DryWired Heat Shield can be applied to vehicles preventing heat transfer, reducing thermal signature, increasing horsepower and even enhance overall vehicle performance.
Where Is the Heat Shield Located?
Generally speaking, the heat shield is often located as a part of the exhaust system, though there are some other places that heat shields may be employed. There are usually top and bottom shields, each of which serve a different purpose:
- Bottom shield: This shield is in place to protect the environment below your car from the damage caused by the heat generated from the exhaust system. It is possible that environmental conditions such as dry grass could result in a fire if the heat shield were not in place.
- Top shield: This shield prevents some of the other components of the car from being damaged by the heat, which includes the floor of your car. Without the heat shield, you may experience a great deal of discomfort or worse from the heat rising from the exhaust system of your car.
What Is the Heat Shield Made Out Of?
Most automotive heat shields are made from metal components, generally thin pieces of sheet metal. They are welded in place to offer protection, and many of them will include fiberglass between the metal sheets. High-performance vehicles may feature different components for the heat shield, including carbon composite materials.
What Is the Intended Function of the Heat Shield?
Without the heat shields, your floorboards could become incredibly hot and other components could be significantly damaged. Environmental factors like tall or dry grass could cause a fire without the presence of the heat shield, so these shields serve a very important protective function.
Consistent Arguments Over Heat Shield’s Necessity
There has been a great deal of argument among car enthusiasts with regard to the necessity of the heat shield. Since most heat shields are made out of thin sheet metal, they tend to rust and come loose very easily, leading to the argument over their value. While it may be true that they crack and rust easily, the value of their function should not be called into question, as the heat shield is there to ensure the safety of the driver, the car’s components, and the environment.