When I purchased my car it didn't have the splash guard under the front bumper. I've always meant to buy one, but do they actually do much? Is it just a matter of keeping a bit of dirt away. Your thoughts?

Thank you.

It goes under the bumper and joins to other plastic bits on the sides. It is there to act as a shield against dirt and water. You don't really want your alternator or air conditioning compressor full of bugs, dust and water, do you? Front wheels splash a lot of water about on wet roads, in towards the engine as well as the spray you can see going away from the car.

I had mine replaced a couple of years ago as it broke near both rear mounting points; it wasn't expensive (around $30 as I recall). I've seen quite a few Magnas with similarly failed guards hanging down waiting to be torn off while reversing over the right obstacle.