Spoilers are generally thought to be used on sports or racing cars, but come as a standard feature on some vehicles. It became popular in the 1960s as automakers worked to improve the aerodynamics (management of the air flowing around a vehicle) of racing and sports cars.
Automakers spend millions to improve the aerodynamics of a vehicle they develop, improve fuel economy and stability at high speeds. Modest spoilers, which you can usually see on many vehicles, are more obvious and detailed in racing cars. Let’s look at what a spoiler is in cars and what it does.
First, what are spoilers?
Spoilers are used to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle and the overall performance of the vehicle. Regulates airflow to increase traction and reduce drag. In cars, spoilers are usually attached to the rear of the vehicle; however, it can also be attached to the bumper of a car.
A spoiler placed at the front is known as a front spoiler. In a way, the primary purpose of car spoilers is to “regulate” negative airflow that hinders a car’s performance. It is designed and placed to maintain the speed and handling of a car even at high speed. At the same time, there are tools that are installed for aesthetic purposes.
So how do spoilers work?
To better understand how a spoiler works, consider a car going at high speed. The air passing through the car will pass under the car and over the top of the trunk. The force of the air under the car will try to lift it up, which prevents the tires from gripping properly. Friction and wind resistance are factors that decrease vehicle speed rather than increase it.
A spoiler is a component that is added to the trunk of the vehicle, such as the tail, and changes the “airflow” to which the vehicle is exposed. The rear spoiler basically cuts off the flow and makes the car less drag. As a result, with the addition of components that regulate aerodynamics, such as the rear spoiler and side skirts, vehicles retain more control at high speeds and sharp turns.
What exactly do spoilers do?
As we said above, the spoiler added to the vehicle is a component designed to change the airflow to which the vehicle is exposed. The spoiler attached to the rear of the vehicle directs the airflow upwards and away from the vehicle. There are different components designed for these purposes. The function of a spoiler varies depending on where automakers place it. But its most common function is to reduce the impact of airflow.
Types of spoilers by car:
- front spoiler
- side skirt
- rear spoiler
Front Spoiler
Front spoilers located under the front bumper either cool the engine compartment or divert air flowing under the vehicle away from the tires. Like the rear spoiler, it also reduces drag. However, the front spoiler also helps to disperse some air before it reaches the rear spoiler.
The front-mounted spoiler was a component originally designed for racing cars. Over the years, they have also become an accessory of the vehicles we use in our daily lives. The function of this spoiler is to keep fuel costs low rather than to achieve high speeds.
side skirt
In fact, side skirts and side spoilers work in much the same way, allowing the vehicle to maintain traction at high speeds. High speed naturally causes an air pressure that wants to lift the car off the ground. Side skirts reduce the air pressure that the vehicle is exposed to and help the vehicle to hold on to the road better. This means a more controlled and safe driving experience.
rear spoiler
Automakers use rear spoilers to improve vehicle stability at high speeds and to ensure the handling of sports cars. Automakers today even use rear spoilers on passenger cars to increase vehicle stability. However, some automakers also add them for aesthetic purposes only.
So does every car need a spoiler?
You don’t need a spoiler unless you’re driving high speed cars. It will not have much effect at low speed as it is designed for high speeds. You can start to see the effects of these spoilers at an average of 100 km/h and you have to be constantly above this speed to see the noticeable differences. The rear spoiler, which is usually found on a vehicle that is not used at these speeds, affects the aerodynamics of the vehicle and is therefore ineffective.
If you want to know the main function of the butterfly glass in cars:
You can find out what the little extensions we see on the tires do here:
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