Does the Heat Shield of a 2015 Subaru Forester Need to Get Removed to Install Trailer Hitch

Question:

The video and instructions for the 2015 forester show the head shield removed, but not put back in place. Is it safe to operate without the heat shield? Why have it in the first place?

asked by: Robert

Expert Reply:

To install the Curt hitch part # C13144 on your 2015 Subaru Forester you will need to permanently remove the rear heat shield. I attached the install video you referenced as well as instructions that detail how this is done.

Heat shields like what your vehicle has are there to prevent heat from exhaust from transferring up into the interior of the vehicle. At the rear of a vehicle exhaust components are nearly as hot as they are near the front so removing the rear heat shields wouldn't have any noticeable side effects.

expert reply by: Jameson C