Let's play "what fell off my car last night?" I have no idea. I'll describe it.

[soothsayer]

It was under the car (a 1995 acura integra) and I heard it start to rattle and then suddenly it made a horrible scraping noise as I drove along for a few miles. It was still dangling there this morning, and I drove halfway onto the curb so I could reach beneath the car managed to pull it off, which I did, and it's this metal plate about the size and shape of a vent (the kind in your house where the hot or cold air come from the furnace/ac). In fact, it has several vent-like slits in it. I'm guessing it was some sort of cover for something in the undercarriage. Catalytic converter cover? It was in the center of the car (from left to right), but a little more towards the front (kind of under the front seats). Made an awful racket a midnight!

Any ideas? Do I need to drive it to the shop and ask 'was this important?'. It's all bent to heck, and the places it bolted on are all torn off.

[EstimatedProphet]

1. Yeah, I think you should take it to the shop

It's generally a bad sign when your car starts dropping off parts from the undercarriage.

[pokerfan]

2. Catalytic converter cover would be my guess

They tend to get corroded.

[soothsayer]

5. thanks!

[One_Life_To_Give]

6. I agree, Cat Heat Shield

The one on the wifes Accord came off years ago. As said below, as long as you don't park in a pile of leaves, tall grass, paper, etc. No problem.

[soothsayer]

7. thanks!

[kay1864]

3. It does indeed sound like a catalytic converter cover

I had one on my 1980 Ford Fiesta. Over time it cracked between the holes, until half of it fell off.

Basically it was to keep the hot converter from catching the grass on fire. My mechanic said as long as I didn't park on tall grass, its loss wasn't a problem.

If that's what fell off of yours, just don't park on tall grass and you'll be fine.

But do check with a competent mechanic. If they say you need it, it shouldn't cost much to bolt on a replacement.

[soothsayer]

4. thanks!