Hi, folks...first post here, although I've been on the first gen forum for about 11 years because of my '99RX, which I still have and is my faithful and reliable DD. We just bought a 2012 RX350 for my wife, and she loves it, only 50K miles from the local Lexus Dealer. My question is: I absolutely hate the engine cover...I do visual inspections of both engine bays at least weekly...but I can't see much with the engine cover on. Have any of you just removed the darned thing and operate without it? I can't imagine it serves any real purpose other than a thinly veiled attempt to thwart the average DIY guy. Any opinions appreciated. Thanks!

 

I also like to inspect the engine periodically, so I removed all the black plastic covers from my engine bay about two years ago. I kept the silver cover in top of the engine, because it has foam on it and it cuts down the engine noise.

I was thinking maybe the front part has the purpose of directing the air flow to the air intake, but I didn't notice anything different with it removed. I drove it to Florida twice, I drove it all summer and I didn't notice any difference. I think the covers are just to make it look better. I store mine in the attic, and I'll replace them when I decide to sell this car.

 

I took mine off as soon as I got my 2012. I wanted to be able to inspect all of the engine compartment whenever I raised the hood. There is no difference in performance. I recycled mine because I do not have room to store them. Those covers are strictly for aesthetics.

 

I’m thinking of removing them too, they just get in the way and I like to do my own work on my cars. My Highlander is aging to the point where I’m performing DIY repairs once in a while, it has no such covers in the engine bay. I wired in a bright LED hood light to make late night fluid checks and work much easier.

I will definitely remove these covers if I find myself having to do more occasional work on the car, and add an aforementioned hood light. In the mean time, I drilled an “access hole” to make battery changes easier because I didn’t feel like taking that plastic crap off! Thankfully the 4th gen RX did away with these plastic shrouds.



Hole drilled to make battery clamp removal easy

 

Plastic engine bay covers can actually speed up the aging process and gradual disintegration of plastic electrical connectors and hoses by trapping heat in the engine bay. Yeah, they look nice but I hate the damn things.

 

Totally cosmetic.
​​​​​ Remove but do NOT discard. Keep for reinstall before selling the vehicle.

 

So you guys are telling me that the hood on modern cars can be opened by the owner? 💁. I can’t remember the last time I opened the hood on my car 😀

 

Open the hood so you can check the transmission dip stick...oh wait, I mean the Battery cell water level...oops.

 

I also hate the engine cover on my RX350. A combustion engine is a thing of beauty with all its attachments and working parts. Something to be admired and seen. Not hidden away out of site!

 

Engine covers are like pants. Some people like to drive with them on, some people like to drive with them off. We are not here to judge.

 

I have a good friend on another automotive forum who drives while wearing pants, but he always wears them on his head....

 

I like to check fluids and invariably use a bit of simple green to keep things tidy - - -removing the cover doesn't bother anything mechanically.

 

I guess that covers has something to do with noise dampening and maybe related to fire spread prevention.

 

What is the point of having the plastic engine covers? Is this purely for Aesthetics?

 

Sound deadening is important, the plastic muffles the higher
pitched sounds such as the fuel injectors.

The ultimate in engine compartment aesthetics were the LS460's.
You could virtually drive those around without a hood at all!
Covered in plastic from side to side, front to back