Air Drag Panels Bottom of car help needed?

[nd4z]

On the underside of my 2000 Insight, both of my plastic panels are busted up over the years. They were soo bad they kept coming down. I removed both left and right and the bottom of the engine compartment is now open and exposed. I assume they were put there by Honda to reduce wind drag. My question to the group is: Will thiis change reduce my fuel milage enough to worry about? I inquired with the Honda dealer on replacements,and found that they are very expensive. Ann other users removed their panels? At least now, oil changes are much easier.
Thanks,
Rick Lakeland, Fla, U.S.A.

[Dgate]

Rick it will lower the mpg but probably not a significant amount.The amount depends on your driving habits with highway cruising above 50 providing the most hit since this is where the most drag is experienced.
Not renewing these panels might affect any resale value in future if the buyer is particular.
As a cheaper alternative why not look into having some made locally from aluminum or fibreglas.

DGate

[Dougie]

They are pretty much just flat. I bet you could get a sheet of aluminum from the hardware store and make one yourself.

[Guillermo]

The under engine panels also prevent stones or other debris from getting caught and damaging the belt on the drivers side of the engine.

[Dgate]

Guillermo wrote.......The under engine panels also prevent stones or other debris from getting caught and damaging the belt on the drivers side of the engine.

Ignore..I realize what you are saying.
DGate