I have a 2004 Forester and change the oil myself. What is the purpose of the silly plastic cover that I have to go through to get to the drain plug and filter. I also have a 97 Outback which does not have the silly cover and it's far easier to change the oil.

I have a 2004 Forester and change the oil myself. What is the purpose of the silly plastic cover that I have to go through to get to the drain plug and filter. I also have a 97 Outback which does not have the silly cover and it's far easier to change the oil.

 

Don't know for sure, but I have read a couple of good reasons on the forum. One was to keep dirt and such out of the engine compartment. Another was for better aerodynamics.

I have a 2004 Forester and change the oil myself. What is the purpose of the silly plastic cover that I have to go through to get to the drain plug and filter. I also have a 97 Outback which does not have the silly cover and it's far easier to change the oil.

 

I removed the plastic cover from my Forester. I stored it in my garage, in case I decided it served some useful purpose. After two months of driving , I noticed no change in mpg, noise, or even cleanliness of the engine compartment. It is now somewhere in the county landfill. I think the cover is supposed to convence the simple minded that they have some kind of skid plate on their "SUV".