Toyota Matrix 2012, 120K KM, 1.8 L Automatic. Been told by dealership and other mechanics that removing rattling heat shields was ok...so I did that (3 so far). But I want to keep the car long term. Am concerned about heat affecting other components. Should I have them replaced?
Further to this: I was told it depends on which heat shield. Some are ok to remove.
Who told you that? Manufacturers are always looking for ways to cut costs - if a heat shield was not needed it would not be there.
Of course you cannot remove. The are not a cosmetic item. They are named this way because they shield from heat.
I've seen melted fuel tanks, and wires from hot exhaust.
Further to this: I was told it depends on which heat shield. Some are ok to remove.
If there is a heat shield there, it's best to leave it be. My '99 Ranger had a heat shield underneath the rear end that was totally deteriorated, and I'm not even sure why it was there in the first place. It's all metal underneath, except the fuel tank. That is armored, and it's like 3 feet away from the tank. I don't know why they put it there, unless it was for a non-4×4 vehicle and they just carried it over to streamline building trucks. I don't know the specifics of the Toyota Matrix, but there's way more plastic than metal in your car, I would caution removing really anything in your Matrix.
