Ford Focus is one of the most popular cars in Russia today. This car fully meets the requirements of any car enthusiast, in addition, it is perfect for driving on low-quality road surfaces.
However, it should be borne in mind that this model, like any other car, necessarily requires the presence of full-time mudguards and other additional details that belong to the category of restyling. Before considering the methods of dismantling and installing these elements, it is worthwhile to understand in more detail what can happen if the driver neglects these details.
Technical Service Standards
If you study the provision regarding the vehicle’s approval for use, the following conclusion can be found in this document: it is forbidden to operate the vehicle without the previously installed mudguards, as well as aprons that must be on the rear wheels of the machine. Otherwise, you can get a fine.
Mudguards on Ford Focus 2 or any other car are special plastic or rubber plates that must be fixed directly above the wheels themselves. These elements are necessary in order to protect the car traveling behind from the ingress of dirt or stones.
Of course, the presence of mudguards does not affect the performance of the PBX. But if these elements are missing, this can trigger an emergency. If a stone or dirt gets into the windshield of a car driving behind, which will lead to a worse view, then the owner of the car that moved in front of the victim without mudguards will be recognized as the culprit.
What is the penalty for the lack of mud flaps?
First of all, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the mudguards are not always absent on the vehicle due to the fault of the car owner. The fact is that these elements can simply accidentally fall off while traveling by car, and in this situation the motorist may not even realize that he is breaking the law. But if the driver is stopped by the traffic police inspector and finds that there is no apron or mudguards on the ATS, then according to part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation he will be forced to recover a fine of 500 rubles from the offender. This penalty is designed for those cases when the vehicle was operated in the presence of any technical malfunctions.
However, it all depends on what mood the traffic police inspector will be in. In some cases, the driver may be limited only by warning.
Why change the mudguards at Ford Focus 2
Everyone is well aware of the current state of Russian roads. In almost all settlements on the pavement there are numerous potholes. Unfortunately, ordinary drivers have to put up with this situation and independently come up with ways to modernize their car to drive along such difficult routes.
Installing mud flaps on the Ford Focus 2 is necessary so that with constant contact with small stones, the latter could not severely damage the paint on the car body or even break through the exhaust pipe. In addition, special throttle position sensors, which are located just above the bottom of the machine, are often installed on cars of this brand. In some situations, car owners prefer not to install mudguards on the Ford Focus 2, but protect their car with a special coating of carbon film. Yes, indeed, such a method allows you to avoid possible damage, but only if we are talking about fine sand.
However, everyone understands that on Russian roads there are not only sand mixtures, but also gravel, dirt and other large particles that can penetrate the bottom. To date, the most effective way to protect your car from damage is to install mudguards on the Ford Focus 2. Restyling of such a plan does not require special skills or special abilities, so you can do this kind of "modernization" yourself. In addition to the fact that the mudguards help protect the car from damage, they also help prevent a possible accident, as mentioned earlier.
Features
The best mudguards on the Ford Focus 2 should be made exclusively of high-quality polymer so that they are sufficiently plastic and heavy, but at the same time the products must maintain excellent performance. It is worth paying attention to the following characteristics of these elements:
- Mud flaps should be operated without problems at a temperature range from - 50 to + 50 degrees.
- Dirt should not accumulate in large volumes on products. The less dirt settles on the surface of the elements, the better the mudguards will cope with their task.
To date, there are a variety of mud flaps for the Ford Focus 2 hatchback, sedan and others.
Which are better
There are special mud flaps for a particular brand of car, but also on sale you can find cheaper universal models that will fit any vehicle. The cost of the product directly depends on what material the spare part was made of:
- The rubber mudguards on the Ford Focus 2 are considered the simplest and cheapest. In addition, they are flexible, durable, light and durable, however, it should be borne in mind that such products do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. Accordingly, the use of such mudguards at the Ford Focus in winter is not recommended.
- Plastic mudguards can tolerate any temperature changes. However, they are not elastic, due to which the elements can quickly break at the slightest mechanical load.
- Rubber-plastic products are considered the best in comparison with analogues, since they are practically devoid of flaws. Such mud flaps can be safely used in the cold season. They are characterized by increased flexibility, so they will not deform or break too quickly. Products of this type are available in a variety of configurations, sizes and colors. The main advantage of rubber-plastic mudguards is that they last the longest.
In addition, the details are original and universal. It is best to choose the most suitable mudguards for a particular brand of car. Consider the best of them.
Frosch
This company produces rear and front mudguards for Ford Focus 2 in various configurations. Products under the brand "Frosch" differ ideally calculated geometry, original fasteners and detailed instructions, using which even a novice will cope with the installation of protective elements. All models of products from this manufacturer are made only of high-quality European materials, so the finished elements are highly resistant to frost and mechanical damage.
At the same time, the model range includes products for all types of cars, from convertibles to station wagons. Therefore, to find in the lineup from the manufacturer the mud flaps on the Ford Focus 2 sedan is not difficult. At the same time, the price of products is quite affordable.
Novline
This domestic manufacturer also has good quality products. Consider the example of rubber front mudguards on the Ford Focus 2. They are made from environmentally friendly polyurethane, which is neutral to aggressive environments and chemicals. In addition, the mudguards of this manufacturer are resistant to ultraviolet radiation and temperature extremes. The elastic material is able to withstand from -50 to +50 degrees.
Ford
Of course, the best front and rear mudguards on the Ford Focus 2 are considered models from the same manufacturer as the car itself. Such original products will definitely fit the PBX, but their cost will be slightly higher.
How to change the front mudguards and fenders
In order to install new protective elements, it is necessary to prepare the following tools:
- key 25 and 30;
- Phillips screwdriver (it is better to choose a model with different nozzles);
- bolts and nuts;
- jack.
To mount the mudguard to the Ford Focus 2 correctly, you must first remove the desired wheel of the vehicle. After this, remove the mudguard itself. To do this, you need:
- Remove the upper and lower mounting bolts that connect the mudguard to the front wing of the vehicle.
- Using a screwdriver, pry off a special spring clip that holds the mudguard.
- Remove this holder and remove the mudguard.
- Install a new security element.
- Screw fasteners in reverse order.
After that, you can safely dismantle the front wheel arches. To do this, simply unscrew the three fixing screws. After that, additional bolts (2 pieces) are designed to fix the part on the shock absorber strut. At the next stage, it is enough to remove the liner and install a new or repaired element in its place.
How to change the rear mudguards
On the back of the car, the elements are removed in almost the same way as the front ones. The whole difference lies only in the number of fasteners that will have to be dismantled.
To change the rear mudguard, you need:
- Raise the machine and remove the wheel.
- Unscrew the 4 fasteners that hold the splash guard on the bumper.
- Remove the special holders located under the wheel arch screws.
- Remove the old mudguard and replace it with a new one.
The rear fenders change in the same way as the front elements. However, in this case, you will also have to dismantle more fasteners, since the elements located on the back are under heavy loads.
Finally
Based on the foregoing, it becomes obvious that replacing the mudguards on their own is not a big deal. Just a few hours of work, and the car will meet all the necessary requirements. Therefore, it is worth spending a little time and not worry about fines in the future. In addition, the life of a person moving behind can depend on such a seemingly insignificant detail. If he suffers, then a simple fine or warning will not get off.