Happy New Year All,
Since there are no front wheel wells, so to speak, it seems the engine is very exposed to the elements from the sides/tires. I've been driving in some serious snow in the past month or so(8-12"), and was wondering:
A) Why they(Honda) didn't cover the wheelwells?
B) How the engine and other components will hold up to exposure to the elements - snow + road salt usually = corrosion?

Just wondering if anyone had info or ideas.

Thanks!

Mike
'04 HCH MT (now @ 32k miles, 48mpg lifetime)

 

I'm not sure what you are referring to, the front wheel wells on mine are what I would expect on any other car? :unsure:

 

I can see all the way through my car from the side, through the wheelwells. It's open behind the front wheel. Not on yours??

 

I'll double check as soon as I can, but I don't think mine is that way.
I've manily checked looking down from under the hood, not side to side.

 

There has got to be holes for steering, suspension, and driveline dohickys. These parts are not still so the holes would need to be larger than the parts. A bellows could be used to seal everything up but this is normally not done. In fact on most old cars you can see the ground if you open the hood.

 

Right lake, I just have never seen so much open space behind the wheel on a car before. Most of the crap from the road comes up from your tires, right? I took a (crappy) photo last night:
http://www.geocities.com/cbxtc6/hybrid.jpg
You can see easily the battery cable behind the engine. I'm just wondering how tough it will be to get those plugs out @100k?!

Cheers!

Mike

 

Well I went out into the parking lot and checked my car and a couple of others and cbxtc6 is right, the Honda is more exposed. The other cars have an extra plastic piece that covers the rear of the well. It is weird to be able to see all the way across the car behind the wheel.