Celebrate Car Care Month with ipd - Rear Wheel Drive Models
Page 9: Aluminum Skid Plate, Original Style Belly Pan,

Tired of replacing broken plastic belly pans on your 200 series Volvo? The stock plastic covers are known for a short life span, especially in colder climates where they become brittle and easily crack and shatter from minor impacts with road debris. They also commonly crack at the attachment points from repeated removal and replacement for basic maintenance. Several years ago, we saw a nicely fabricated aluminum version on Paul Grimshaw’s 240. (Paul is the author of 2 of our best selling Volvo owners books, “The Gothenberg Bible and “The Volvo Performance Handbook”). We asked Paul about the skid plate and he told us that he had it built out of frustration with the stock plastic version. He has been using it for several years in the harsh Canadian winters and is very happy with the performance and utility it offers. We worked out a deal with Paul to use his design and make them available in a ready to bolt on kit. Made of 1/8” laser cut aluminum plate, this will be the last one you’ll ever buy! Mount bolts included.

The belly pan (or splash pan) plays an important role in maintaining the longevity of your Volvo’s power plant. It keeps water, dirt, gravel, rocks, wood, road grime and debris off critical engine components like the alternator and belts. Volvo suggests that the pan aids cooling efficiency by forcing the airflow across the entire engine compartment.