Help me solve a mystery!

[Dodge1311]

Hi,

I noticed these patch’s at the front of my wheel arches today. They look like 3M tape and are on both sides does anyone know their function. I was so tempted to try and take one off but am sure that would be a bad idea.

 

[campandfly]

Helicopter type tape. Just to help with stone chips and general debris damaging your paintwork.

 

[willwander]

They are factory fitted as standard

 

[Dodge1311]

Thanks chaps. You you would think they would just cover the whole vehicle instead of two little patch’s, that would save me loads of anxiety, not that I could see any stone chips while it’s so dirty just now.

 

[CamperFam]

Thanks chaps. You you would think they would just cover the whole vehicle instead of two little patch’s, that would save me loads of anxiety, not that I could see any stone chips while it’s so dirty just now.

They're there to protect the worst-affected areas from stone chips. It's not needed on the whole vehicle because

1. It would bump the cost of manufacturer by a couple of grand
2. You dont often get stones flying in horizontally. The only two areas that would benefit from it are the rear wheel arch exterior, to protect against stone chips from the front wheels, and the front bumper. You could also extend it to the bonnet, but realistically the front bumper is the main issue due to it's flat plane.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi,

I noticed these patch’s at the front of my wheel arches today. They look like 3M tape and are on both sides does anyone know their function. I was so tempted to try and take one off but am sure that would be a bad idea.

View attachment 77651

Factory fitted to protect body work from sliding door catching on initial opening. Fitted both sides as Transporter can have sliding doors both sides.

 

[GrannyJen]

It's to cover up where the Quality control inspector has scratched in his initials

 

[Guy/Louise]

Erosion tape... protects the paint work...

 

[mountainman]

Mine doesn't have these patches. Have just been quoted £358.32 for repainting those bits damaged by stone chips.

 

[sbmcd]

Hi,

I noticed these patch’s at the front of my wheel arches today. They look like 3M tape and are on both sides does anyone know their function. I was so tempted to try and take one off but am sure that would be a bad idea.

View attachment 77651

This area is highly prone to stone chips, my 2014 Call did not come with any so I fitted it myself, took it a little higher than yours.