After reading all the posts I still don't know if I should install the OEM factory splash guards on my 2015 Z51....I do race on a road course and I drive spirited. And, if I do put them on.... does it in fact VOID the factory warranty?







I know the Engineers at GM designed the C7 to be aerodynamic and added DIRECT INJECTED plastic to the wheel wells. I'm not REALLY concerned about road debris building up behind the openings. Maybe 10 years down the road I might see detrimental effects on the side panels. But, we will have to wait and see. As for right now, I think it's just a waste of a few hundered dollars - preventing something that has yet to even be proven a problem.

 

One of the first things I put on my car. I think they are worth it if it saves me one chip.

 

But, where's the proof?

 

 

I could offer pics of my C4 as proof, but its in my other garage and not handy for making pics at the moment. The C4's body rolls under dramatically behind the front wheels making it super easy to damage the paint. Mine are shredded after 27 years of service. With the larger, stickier tires on the C7 it was a no-brainer to add splash guards. They look OK in their original finish but I painted mine carbon flash to match the other trim. Looks better. I also added side skirts, carbon flash. They add a lot of protection as well as looking good.

 

Proof of what? Proof that something could have happened but didn't? It's like asking where's the proof that putting Xpel on the front prevents rock chips. There is no "proof" that something could have happened but didn't.

I put the splash guards on mine immediately after I bought it. Glad I did. YMMV.

 

If you're skeptical, just leave them off and see what happens.

 

I don't think that any proof is needed. It's a personal thing, if you care enough for your car to have a little added protection then the fender guards are for you. You will most likely not have that car for ten years. As for me, I seem to take excellent care of my Corvettes for the person who buys it used when I trade it in.

 

I put them on as soon as the car was brought home after delivery. Do they work? Not 100%. I'm convinced they help far more than they hurt.

WARRANTY issues? It's a genuine GM accessory. How would that impact warranty? The install is super-easy.

Just put them on. If you don't care for them take them off and go back to the ones put on at the factory.

 

You spend 65K on your C7 and you are concerned about spending $100 for some protection to the paint?
I put them on my car early on, although not a Z51, I have no chips behind the wheel wells. Nice fit and cheap protection. 14 months old and 21,650 miles on the car.

 

What proves their worth to me is all the pitting they've amassed from impacts. They're obviously stopping something from being thrown rearward.

 

Are OEM splash guards REALLY needed?

They are only needed if you care about the paint on the sides of your car.

Why don't you leave them off and report back after a year or so, so we can all know "if they are needed" and worth $100?

 

If you want proof why not try this. Put one on the front and on on the opposite side in the rear. Drive for a while and let us know the results.

 

You need the "hide IMOI!"
Bought my Z51 C7 in October 2013. From experience with chips behind the rear wheels on my '88 and '93 Vettes I bought body colored contoured "splash guards" for my '08 C6 before I received it. Much more expensive then the relatively inexpensive GM splash guards. They were a big help sold it after 5 years and no chips.

When I got my C7 bought the GM splash guards (look on Amazon or eBay for a good price on genuine GM parts.) with the hope they would do the same. After 2 1/2 years I can report the rear's did. (You're probably thinking like that old joke about snapping your fingers to keep elephants out of your refrigerator- how do I know there would have been chips?) The front is my proof!

After installing the GM splash guards I was still getting pebbles hitting my rocker panels. Fortunately GM knew where that would occur and installed thick plastic over those areas, even up to the front of the rear wheel wells. Suggest you look at where the plastic protection was placed, from the center of the doors back! How could I have expected those small splash guards to protect that area? I installed side skirts as have many. They stopped the marks and dents in the plastic. In fact after about 6 months I was able to remove the discolored GM plastic. That was over a year ago and no chips on the rockers or back to the front of the rear wheel well.
But GM voiding the warranty, you must be joking!

Since you track the car, you're spending more on tire wear in a few laps than the cost of GM Splash Guards!

 

The absolute first thing I did to my car.
Why would you think they void the factory warranty?

 

With due respect, seriously!!!!!

 

I do plan on getting a set for both front & rear. As far as voiding the warranty give me a break!

 

OEM splash guards were the first and only mod I did to my car. If nothing else, it adds a nice subtle touch to the look of the car. There is no downside to having them and the price is nominal.

 

skirts are the way to go > also help to protect rear wheels

 

Do the splash guards really help? They just seem so small. I don't want WalMart mud flaps, but would like something to help protect against 'some' chips etc.