My priority is for MPG so I didn't get them.

Maybe that's why my lifetime average is 60.0.

Every little bit helps.

 

Does anyone have a picture of what they look like on the '06? I know for the 96-00 Civic they partially cover the painted bodywork, and as such, they trap dirt and stuff between the mudguard and the body. When I removed mine, I noticed the paint is ruined where the mudguard used to be.

 

they partially cover the painted bodywork on the '06 as well...

rear

 

My HAH had them on, and I forced the dealer to remove them and give me the rest of the "appearance package" for free because 1) I didn't want it, 2) they kvetched for 20min about what a hassle it was to special order without the pkg. They just wanted to move existing inventory, and unwittingly reinforced my argument for why to take them off.

In reality, they left them on- laziness overcame principle. Imagine that.

 

Thanks for this thread, I hate not having mud guards, I spent so much time obsessing about whether to buy Prius or HCH I forgot them. :-)

I seem to remember when I bought a truck top camper shell once that they put a special clear masking tape over the painted surfaces for protection. I am thinking that strategy would work here, maybe ask a camper shell place what kind of tape they use or buy a roll from them.

Having removed much tape from many surfaces (I have a monkish tendency to try to remove tape and stickers cleanly), I am guessing it would take some skill to remove it later without damaging the paint (the trick is to go very slowly). Getting the tape on flat with no bubbles or wrinkles is also crucial to its effectiveness so perhaps they would do it for a small fee.

That handa-accessories link was pretty cool. :-)

Now I am thinking about fog lights. :-)

 

There's a 3M product called Stoneguard or something that you could probably try. Usually it's sold in a quantity large enough to cover the whole front end (it's also called clearbra or something; maybe a different brand) but if you could find an installer that would do quantities small enough to just cover the area around the splashguards, maybe that would be a good investment.

 

I have them on my 03 HCH - I think it's a good move. Bought that and a leather wrap for the wheel and installed both myself.

OK everyone, here's your rediculous story for the day. We bought a Pilot over the summer, and had the rubber floor mats included for ~$150 or so (BTW - they're in my HCH to and are routinely a life-saver when you spill). I later discovered that this price included a $20 installation fee. Apparantly it takes an $80/hr professional mechanic to master the delicate operation of installing rubber floor mats. However after spending nearly $30k on the vehicle, I was too beat down raise a fuss.

 

Hi dqdave; YES-I-DO; and believe me the little difference in FE if infact there is any difference will not off set the damage to the sides of your Brand-New 2006 HCH that you just paid for. Dirt, rocks etc. will take there toll on your new HCH and remember they are from Honda so they fit right. They are made for the car. Every Honda that I have owned has had the Guards on it and I have owned a bunch of Hondas over the past 40-yrs.

HTH

Terry

 

I saw a few years ago when Hot Rod did a review of it, man was it expensive! Not sure if the price has come down yet. That is a decent alternative.

I still would go with the mudguards, but that's my humble opinion. I know the rock chips, road spray and whatever other stuff that the tires can bounce up would cause me much heartache as I'n fanatical about how clean my car is. I just can't see mudflaps catching enough air to kill FE by any noticably measurable difference. Ocassionally I take and clean under them so I don't worry about grime or dirt build up underneath. Oh, did I say before I think they look nice as well?

 

If you drive through mud sometimes, they're worth it. 99% of people rarely if ever drive through mud. If you live where it snows they might be worth it. When conditions are slushy your car will get only half as dirty. And if they salt the roads where you drive then reducing the amount of salt hitting the bottom of your car may significantly reduce rust-through.

Otherwise I think they're a waste of money and they're ugly. I've never had any.