Another mud guard thread

[Wobbly]

I fitted them to my V90 with the intention of keeping the car cleaner etc - already discussed at length so I’ll take a slightly different tack and pass on my experience - it may help someone.

Events over the last few days have been interesting - I hit a brick. It was lying in the road and I couldn’t swerve to avoid it without hitting something bigger or the oncoming traffic. My offside front wheel hit it with such a bang I was certain that the wheel or tyre would be damaged. It’s worth pointing out that I’m running 18 inch wheels with Continental winter tyres rated XL.

There was no visible damage to the car - I even took it to a friendly tyre dealer to have alignment checked and inspected. No side wall bulge - no damage to the wheel. Our roads were a factor in me choosing an XL tyre (to a spec approved by Volvo).

What had happened, however, is that the wheel spat the brick backwards where it hit the mud guard, breaking most of it off (see the pic below). I suspect that it would’ve hit the bodywork somewhere if the guard hadn’t taken the brunt.

You’ll see the difference in dirt between the 2 sides, but also the difference to the wing mirrors - it’s clear which side still has the remaining mud guard.

I hope this helps anyone considering fitting them.

[Philip Fisher]

2 thoughts from me.

Firstly it is very interesting that they keep the mirrors clean. My mirrors are constantly getting manky and I never thought that mud flaps were a possible cure.

Which neatly leads me onto my second point. I have never heard them called mud guards. In fact I only clicked on the thread as I wanted to know what was going on. In my part of the world mud guards are on your bike, mud flaps are on the car. In fact when doing a deal on a car it is common parlance to ask them to include "mats and flaps" ie. floor mats and mud flaps.

[gaby]

It seems to me that the mud flap may have saved you.
Are they OEM Volvo mudflaps?

[Wobbly]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

2 thoughts from me.

Firstly it is very interesting that they keep the mirrors clean. My mirrors are constantly getting manky and I never thought that mud flaps were a possible cure.

Which neatly leads me onto my second point. I have never heard them called mud guards. In fact I only clicked on the thread as I wanted to know what was going on. In my part of the world mud guards are on your bike, mud flaps are on the car. In fact when doing a deal on a car it is common parlance to ask them to include "mats and flaps" ie. floor mats and mud flaps.

I find that my winter tyres kick up a lot more spray than the “summers”, and it’s fair to say (and important to note) that fitting guards/flaps won’t guarantee permanently dry mirrors, but they do help on the V90. I’ll be replacing them ASAP.

[Wobbly]

Originally Posted by gaby

It seems to me that the mud flap may have saved you.
Are they OEM Volvo mudflaps?

I think so, too. Yes - though I did have some of the eBay alternatives that I was about to fit before someone gifted me an OEM set. I really couldn’t tell the difference.

It was such a clout from the brick that I’m not sure that either the China or OEM kit would survive it.

[Quacker]

On the XC90 the mudflaps are somewhat disappointing in combination with wider tyres of 20" and bigger. They aren’t wide enough, especially at the very top, or they just don’t extend high enough to stop a whole lot of ****e fanning out from that area up over the front doors.

[nu11eaf]

The XC90 does appear to be a mud magnet, I have never had a car that attracts dirt as bad as this, the rear of the car just sucks up dirt and covers the rear tailgate and window, much worse than the MK 1, and even with mudflaps the sides still get a fair amount of spray, the top of the rear window is always dirty too, with drips from roof. (did not happen on MK 1)
I went on a 120 mile round trip yesterday and my car is covered in muck and road salt residue, the back is just caked, the roads and weather were'nt bad either.
Hard to see what the real colour is, I might even have to wash it before summer, if I can remember where I put my bucket and sponge.
My MK 1 XC90's did not attract dirt like this one.

[Philip Fisher]

Mine went in to the dealer for it's 54k mile wash just last week and it is already caked up. I will need to go out and clean the cameras if nothing else before the start of the working week.....

[nu11eaf]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Mine went in to the dealer for it's 54k mile wash just last week and it is already caked up. I will need to go out and clean the cameras if nothing else before the start of the working week.....

Mine is due for wash in June when it goes in for a service, I too will have to clean my cameras before I use it next.

[Quacker]

Took these pictures of my car today. It is on 19" wheels and 235 tyres. 20" wheels would, in my estimate, increase the outside width of the tyres by a centimetre each side, which would plaster even more mud through the gap seen at the top of the flaps.