So I need some protection. :hmm: For my car.

This time next Sunday, I will be sitting on the banks of the Murray River, cold beverage in hand, enjoying (I hope) a warm afternoon sun after having had a lovely refreshing dip.

I'm driving to Echuca next Sunday. Involves traveling on the Hume & Northern Highways. Am wondering if it would be a good idea to get something to protect the front of my car from stone chips... Not sure where to get something, or what to ask for. Or how much it will cost and if it would even be worth it.

Advice - come at me!

You can look at car bras, but I believe they were several hundred dollars for one. Plus you need to be careful that they don't scratch the paint underneath - I wouldn't apply one to anything but a freshly washed car.

A quick coat of wax to keep the bugs off doesn't hurt.

+1 to the pre waxing idea.

If the front of the car is nicely waxed and shiny - the bugs and the like will slip right of when you wash the car next, making the job sooo much easier for you.

You could also look at getting a bonnet protector for the car - but essentially, it will only protect the leading edge of the bonnet and a few CMs up the bonnet, it wont avoid all stone chips.
They can be expensive though, I cant remember how much the Verada one cost me genuine/ new.

A cheap option is 3m painters tape - doesn't leave a residue

http://i53.tinypic.com/vxcc94.jpg

Bonnet protectors deflect stones from the bonnet to the roof, I wouldn't bother with one. I got a two piece car bra from a member here a while back after he sold his 380. It's actually a US Galant one but fits just the same. When I enquired about a 380 car bra about 18 months ago I was told that a 380 car bra hadn't yet been made and if I was the first one it was going to cost me about $800 dollars to be the first. I'm not sure if someone else has since got the first one made and paid the full price.

As above. Give the car a good wax and don't stick too close to the car or truck in front.

Waxed the car Friday with similar ideas to what has been posted. So I'll definitely be getting the high pressure house out when I get home, then giving it a good clean.

May just have to leave the other forms of protection. I don't have hundreds and hundreds of dollars to throw at something I may only use once or twice..

Thanks people.

Cheap clear contact will work

3 bucks for 3m @ officeworks when your done just rip it off

Sam, this is the US galant car bra I was taking about, unlike the ones you see on most Commodores and Falcons, this one comes in two pieces so you don't need to take it off to open the bonnet. http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/e42b725a.jpghttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/1a3e4b2f.jpgelastic straps with small hooks that keep it in place.http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/ba2a3540.jpghttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/e8806d0b.jpg

With lower apron onhttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/071d4720.jpghttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/c91ba862.jpghttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/1a125318.jpghttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/1d06dea2.jpghttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/e9b5d610.jpg
Because in the US, as far as I'm aware, front license plates don't need to be displayed, or they fit in that small cut out. With mine how ever just two screw holes through it lined up into the existing number plate holes and mount the number plates over the top of the car brahttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/179dbb8c.jpg
I always wondered what these small holes and locating tabs were for, turns out they for the car bra lol http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/ac2a3cc7.jpgunder the front bar, you've got several V shaped cut outs, these are locators for the elastic strap hookshttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/b2b61def.jpghttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/6829f3d7.jpgAnd best of all, it stows away in a small bag you can leave in the boothttp://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab231/kif_380/41592886.jpg

Needing 'protection' reminds me to reminds you to bring a little oil along with you, after about an hour or two, 380's are prone to be very low in the sump, with the oil scrounging up any humidity/condensation..A nice constant run has lowered the oil level considerably in some 380's, specially if you're more than 1/2 way to the next change. Hopefully not you, but it would pay to check it...

I know others have had had this issue before marty but I have driven mine quite a few times for over 6 hours straight and no oil consumption what so ever as has Mr Kifmeister.

I wonder what is causing this issue in some?? I do however change mine every 7.5k kms unless I drop mobil1 in but it is very interesting

I know others have had had this issue before marty but I have driven mine quite a few times for over 6 hours straight and no oil consumption what so ever as has Mr Kifmeister.

I wonder what is causing this issue in some?? I do however change mine every 7.5k kms unless I drop mobil1 in but it is very interesting
Yes and I do LOTS of k's for very long hours most times and touch wood I haven't had these issues. Service at same intervals as Mr Wombat also.

Its pretty simple really, its just a 380 that does lots of short trips and the oil never gets hot enough (Edit for long enough) to dry it out, I reckon they all capable of doing it, but if you do regular long trips it wouldn't be an issue...

I drive 30 minutes to work and 30 minutes back which includes a 10 minute run on a freeway.
I'll check oil level during the trip though and definitely top it up of need be.
I'm due for a service in 5,000km so if it does drop during that trip I'll get it serviced as soon as I get back as a precaution.

Also Kif, thanks heaps for that. Never really knew how it would actually look/attach. Really handy.
My car is black as well, so I'm sure you wouldn't even notice if it was on ;)

in my experience , you'll get plenty of locusts / bugs splattered on your car around the Echuca / Murray river areas. i take along some fibreglass screen mesh and attach using large round magnets. 90% of the bugs will not enter your grille nor hit the paintwork. removing the buggers takes a lot of elbow grease if they stay on there too long. heat bakes them in.