[greenhorn]

I was planning to take it off ( reduce the bling count ) . then i noticed during washing the car that it prevented water from the hood falling into the grille.

And I've noticed it on a lot of other cars as well. Is it functional, or purely aesthetic ?

[abhik]

I doubt it is funtional as water falling on the grill does'nt make any difference.
My guess- Chrome Grill = purely asthetic.

Good to know some one else who is not too fond of bling bling or chrome:-D

[abhinav.gupta88]

It is only for the decorative. nothing functional about it.

[ankit.jhamb]

but a car without a grill would not look nice.why do you want to remove it?though i dont think it serves a fuction.

[greenhorn]

I was not talking about the grille. rather the chrome strip above the grille found on some cars

[Technocrat]

green, Its purely decorative or aesthetic in nature, even if it stopped water in your car what about rains?

[greenhorn]

no, i meant the water flowing down from the hood , onto the front, the strip prevented the water from falling into the perforated grille, rather , to the sides . Even when it rains , it might reduce the flow.

which brings me to a bigger question. is water entering the engine bay bad ?

the same thing had made me wonder about the practicality of hood scoops

[anantnehru]

Just paint over it, like matt black or something - if removing it may let water flow in.