Sound Insulators and Shields
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Sound insulators and shields attached to the underbody protect the vehicle from exhaust system heat and should be inspected at regular intervals to make sure they are not dented or out of position. If a sound insulator and shield is damaged or shows evidence of deterioration, install a new insulator and shield. The sound insulators and shields for the muffler, muffler pipe, resonator and catalytic converter pipe are installed separately.