Will Removing Heatshield For Installation of Hitch Cause Damage to Subaru Forester

Updated 08/13/2014 | Published 08/11/2014

Question:

Your trailer hitches for Subaru Foresters require removal of heat shield. Cant that be a problem? What about cutting out area of shield to go around hitch?

asked by: Manly W

Expert Reply:

My technical contact at Curt assured me that removing the heat shield when installing the Curt hitch # C13144 on your 2015 Subaru Forester will not cause damage to your vehicle.

The law mandating the heat shield requirement was originally geared toward muscle cars when they got too hot and gas can spill out and catch the backside of the vehicle on fire. Since then, gas tanks have multiple layers of protection and the heat build up in a regular versus muscle car are drastically different.

He proceeded to tell me that some people who absolutely want the heat shield will take it out during installation and then trim it to fit back in place, which is an option, however, he told me it is not necessary.

expert reply by: Chris O