Do they actually do anything or are they just for looks? Has anybody ever done any wind tunnel tests to see if they do anything? This is on street cars..
2006-10-11 01:35:14 · 7 answers · asked by chazzer 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I should add that this is for street cars and the spoilers maybe aftermarket effects.
2006-10-11 01:42:46 · update #1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiler_(automotive)
2006-10-11 01:42:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Spoilers generally work by disrupting the airflow going over a car. This disruption has the primary purpose of reducing the amount of lift naturally generated by the shape of the car.
The result is increasing the contact between the tire and the road surface, thereby increasing traction. This increase in traction allows a vehicle in motion to brake, turn, and accelerate with more stability. Additionally, this is accompanied by an increase in aerodynamic drag.
In nearly all cases, drag increases as the speed of the vehicle increases. Thus, some spoilers that are effective at very low speeds often generate excessive drag at high speeds, and spoilers that work well at high speeds are often ineffective while moving slowly, with that being said, in order for the Spoiler to work, two things to keep in mind,
1) The "Right High" Spoiler for the "Right Car" meaning the relationship between the Roof and the Trunk of you car determine how high your Spoiler needs to be to maximize you "down-force"
2) This "down-force" does not go in effect until the Car travel 100+mph,
Spoilers have become on all types of consumer vehicles mainly for styling reasons Passenger vehicles, which are mostly front-wheel drive currently, have debatable gains from any theoretical increase in traction that might be provided by a rear spoiler simply because of the low speeds permitted on public roads.
2006-10-11 08:59:24 · answer #2 · answered by Mai N 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes they do. The increase the downforce on the rear of the car. But many who install them make a grave mistake by not adding an air dam to the front bumper. While the spoiler increases the downforce on the rear of the car, without the front air dam the downforce on the front of the car is decreased which in turn decreases the traction on the front tires and causes a partial loss of steering control. If you add a spoiler, be sure to add a front air dam the the front bumper otherwise the driver increases his chances of being just another fatality statistic wrapped around a tree.
2006-10-11 08:45:56 · answer #3 · answered by Albannach 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most spoilers are there only for looks and are there as eye-catchers or selling points,many new and used manufacturers have an accessory division that do these accentuations to boost sales in certain models which gives these vehicles a super look.the real deal is in the engines that are faster and more economical which elude consumers when purchasing vehicles,
2006-10-11 08:43:28 · answer #4 · answered by delmy d 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well....factory spoilers on car are ok......but you can go out on saturday night in any town and find kids with spoilers 3 feet high on caverliers , civic, etc......that is know as a ricer.....doesnt have any purpose.....but for me and my friends to laugh at
2006-10-11 18:58:34 · answer #5 · answered by **Steelers_Fan_86** 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they force the back tires down to the groung so you dont lose traction
2006-10-11 08:39:03 · answer #6 · answered by falsman14 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I THINK THEY ARE UGLY.
2006-10-11 09:48:11 · answer #7 · answered by nwnativeprincess 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋