Rock Chips Lower Front Driver Side Door

[42M3]

So I noticed a rock chip on lower portion of the driver’s side door. I don’t have mud flaps installed, but having a hard time figuring out how a rock from my own tire could have hit there. Anyone else experience this area getting hit without mud flaps or do you think something else hit it and mud flaps wouldn’t really have helped. I have no other chips in places I would have thought much more likely to have been hit. But I’m thinking of ordering the Tesla Mud Flaps just to be safe. Which is my other question, if the Tesla Mud Flaps are worth it for gravel roads and will they provide protection.

 

[karkrazy]

Pics would help folks visualize what you are describing and provide better feedback

 

[zoomer0056]

If you don't like the looks of flaps, you can PPF the areas like this.

 

[JasSwitch7]

any mud flaps or ppl will do - just your preference

 

[42M3]

Pics would help folks visualize what you are describing and provide better feedback

I'll try to take a picture of it later when I get a chance, though I am not sure how well it will show up. It is located lower middle of the driver side door, right below the accent curve in the door.

 

[voldar]

So I noticed a rock chip on lower portion of the driver’s side door. I don’t have mud flaps installed, but having a hard time figuring out how a rock from my own tire could have hit there. Anyone else experience this area getting hit without mud flaps or do you think something else hit it and mud flaps wouldn’t really have helped. I have no other chips in places I would have thought much more likely to have been hit. But I’m thinking of ordering the Tesla Mud Flaps just to be safe. Which is my other question, if the Tesla Mud Flaps are worth it for gravel roads and will they provide protection.

Because of the exact situation described above, Tesla chose finally to add front mud flaps for free for the Canadian sold cars. But they were/are so poorly designed, that I chose to replace them the moment I got my Tesla with these. And yes, I did a PPF protection to the rockers of my Tesla.

 

[42M3]

So the Tesla Site says the Mud Flaps are not compatible with the 2023 Model 3.

 

[father_of_6]

I don’t have mud flaps installed, but having a hard time figuring out how a rock from my own tire could have hit there.

That magical instant torque.

 

[zoomer0056]

I don’t have mud flaps installed, but having a hard time figuring out how a rock from my own tire could have hit there.

You are probably right. The chip was probably caused by another vehicle tossing out a rock which bounced and tagged your car.

 

[Kairide]

So the Tesla Site says the Mud Flaps are not compatible with the 2023 Model 3.

I put the Tesla OEM splashguards on my 2023 Model 3 a couple of weeks ago.

 

[afadeev]

So I noticed a rock chip on lower portion of the driver’s side door.

It happens. Don't worry about it.
Give it time, you will get more.

I don’t have mud flaps installed, but having a hard time figuring out how a rock from my own tire could have hit there. Anyone else experience this area getting hit without mud flaps or do you think something else hit it and mud flaps wouldn’t really have helped.

Hard to say without pics.
Definitely maybe.

any mud flaps or ppl will do - just your preference

Tesla mud flaps - $40.
PPF - ~$500/panel.

Which is my other question, if the Tesla Mud Flaps are worth it for gravel roads and will they provide protection.

I installed it on my TM3P when after going with wider wheels and tires, and after finding design defect in Tesla wheel liner protection that exposes a sliver of rocker panel metal that gets pummeled with stones. Eventually, paint starts peeling off.
After repairs and Tesla mud flaps, the area is finally properly protected:

 

[JMGNC]

I got the Tesla mud flaps for the front wheels and the Tesla ppf for the back doors. Not sure it's a cure, but it seems to help.

 

[PianoAl]

I suspect pebbles can take unexpected trajectories when hit by your tire at 65 mph. Think of spin and curve balls.

Yes, could come from a passing vehicle, but I decided mudflaps are worth the investment. Don't get any that touch the paint on the side of the car.

 

[N54TT]

The lower portion of the front door is a high wear area….even with non-tesla generic mud guards. I had my car ppf‘d right after I took delivery and threw on the guards before the first winter. After the first winter I noticed some wear on the lower portions of both front doors. So I added some ppf to that part of the front doors….rear doors seem to be okay..even after 5 yrs/y9k miles.

If you’re worried about the lower front doors….you should be more worried about the front bumper and the area in front of the rear fender lol.