What Does a Car Heat Shield Look Like?

Heat shields are metal plates installed along a vehicle’s exhaust system or anywhere sensitive components need to be protected from heat.

Sometimes a heat shield is mounted so that it is around the item radiating the heat. Other times, it’s mounted around the item being protected from the heat.

One simple example is the plastic box that covers the battery on some vehicles. It keeps the battery protected from excessive engine compartment heat to prevent the battery fluid from boiling and releasing a lot of corrosive acid.

Heat shields are typically made of metals like aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum is commonly used because it’s an excellent choice for conducting heat. On the other hand, stainless steel is used because it is sturdy and shields undercarriage components from damage very well.

What Makes Heat Shields Important?

Heat shields are critical components for any vehicle because they prevent heat from entering surrounding components and areas of the vehicle, minimizing damage to components in the undercarriage. They also allow parts with high operating temperatures to work without risk of getting damaged by flying debris or affecting the operation of surrounding parts.