StealthStingray

Good Evening,

I received my TX plates and registration!

I unscrewed the dealer's paper/plastic temp plate and found a big hole back there!

Is that supposed to be open like that?

Sorry for the newbie question!

Secondly, did you guys install the plate directly on what is available, or did you use some rubber washers in between, or any kind of mount or bracket to protect the car from the plate?

Thank you!

Nordic_Samurai

Are you referring to this panel on the rear bumper?

owc6

That is a good question. There are other holes set for what I assume is European screw placement, but that hole is big (see pic)

As far as cushioning between the metal plate and the paint, I used a rubber plate-sized mat that I picked up at the local auto parts store.

beaversstonehaven

I just centered and screwed the plate on and forgot about it. I prefer not having a frame of any type surrounding the plate. YMMV

Snowwolfe

Like the mat, never seen one before. Which parts store did you buy it from?
Thanks

mdiiulio

Since the screws are only on the top I put some double-sided 3M mounting tape behind the lower side to keep it from vibrating/hitting the paint. I'm also a frameless type of guy, so its very clean with nothing visible.

Larry/car

My dealer put it on when I traded. Have not thought about it except the other day received registration renewal. No frame either.

scottsh

The big hole in the middle, yes, it is supposed to be there. This is the air exit from the cabin for allowing air out while shutting the hatch. It has that unusual Smart Metal in there.

http://www.superchevy.com/features/1...7-smart-metal/

TEXHAWK0

I used a frame with the plate mounted on top of the frame so there are no tabs showing, and in the bottom holes I put a couple of rubber bumpers to keep the plate from rattling or rubbing on the bumper cover.

owc6

I bought the rubber mat at AutoZone. I don't recall the exact amount, but I think it was right about ~$5.

TEXHAWK0

The rubber border is what I put on my front plate...
$5 at Pep Boys

https://www.pepboys.com/product/details/714679/00787

wrecker3

I got got mine from Amazon

AORoads

No comment on the license plate area hole, but just read that article above. That nine-step process seems to be a complicated solution to a simple issue: what to do with air while closing hatch.