Spoiler: the right item or a "cool" trinket

Any modernization of the machine, intervention in its design, no matter whether major or very small, will later manifest itself from two sides: negative and positive. Moreover, some advantages, like disadvantages, are noticeable immediately, others - after a certain time. All of the above applies to the spoiler, the installation of which causes a lot of arguments for and against. But first you need to figure out what kind of thing it is and why it is installed on cars.

What gives a spoiler

One of the answers to this question can be found in the translation of the word that means "interference." Any serious fan of literature and cinema will tell you what a "spoiler" is. This is when they tell you in advance how the movie, story, novel will end, that is, they spoil the pleasure (prevent it) from the anticipation of watching, reading. The task of a car spoiler is to prevent the air flow passing under the bottom of the body, lift the car up, depriving it of stability.



Especially from this aerodynamic "incident" the rear part of the vehicle, not loaded by the engine or passengers, suffers. In order not to create a lifting force, a “wing” is installed, which works on the opposite principle, when compared with aircraft, where this part contributes to soaring in the air.

What spoilers are there and where are they placed?

Aerodynamic elements of the body can be anywhere: in front, aft, from the sides. In the first case, this is a low wide bumper of a special configuration that prevents the penetration of the input stream under the bottom of the car. The spoiler on the back of the car is familiar to most, as an additional decor element that makes the “cool wheelbarrow”. On the side, it can be "skirts" at the rapids.



For racing cars accelerating to high speeds, the presence of a spoiler is mandatory. Its absence negatively affects the stability and controllability of the car: with strong acceleration, it will “weigh less”. But if you increase its mass, this will lead to excess fuel consumption, deterioration of maneuverability, etc. That's why the designers use spoilers that are very light in weight.



Adjustable aerodynamic elements are considered the most effective. They can change, for example, the angle of inclination (in the parking lot or right while driving). Some spoilers have automatic adjustment: the position of the part is adjusted depending on the speed and other conditions on the track.



Manually increasing or decreasing downforce helps the rider find the optimum amount of downforce at high speed.

Doubts when installing a spoiler

What can interfere with the installation of a "cool" design element? It would seem, nothing! But if the part is not provided for by the factory design, it is worth considering a number of points, otherwise you can achieve the exact opposite result instead of the desired one.

Ridiculous exterior

The installed spoiler must externally match the overall design of the car. And the color too. However, there are some nuances here. It is not necessary to put a detail of the same shade: you can also focus on contrast. If your car is white, the spoiler will be black and vice versa.



It all depends on taste and preferences. It happens that adding a spoiler really improves the appearance of the car, but sometimes it spoils the design and the vehicle looks ridiculous.



And, for example, a too massive element on a modest trunk of a small hatchback will look strange at best, stupid at worst.

Possible damage

This issue is related to the front spoiler. Its installation reduces ground clearance - clearance, and this must be taken into account when going on a trip outside of smooth paved highways. Do not forget about the new detail in the city: often even the slightest touch of a curb or other obstacle causes scratches, chips, cracks.



So you need to be prepared for the expense of endless touch-ups and patches. This can greatly spoil the “sense of deep satisfaction” from mounting a “cool” part.

Installation difficulties

Not all vehicles are designed to operate with a spoiler. Therefore, installation can be difficult. Here it would be wiser to contact a specialized workshop. Otherwise, there is a risk of being left with a leaky trunk lid and without a spoiler. An incorrectly or unsuccessfully placed element can obscure the rear view.



With frequent off-road trips, a protruding spoiler can touch tree branches, bushes, and in case of loose fixation, it can come off, damaging the paintwork of the body or the car coming behind.

Price

If we dismiss the options for cheap aerodynamic elements that do not perform a technical function or “do” it poorly, a quality part can be expensive.



There are, of course, budget options for an aerodynamic part, as in the photo above. But if the spoiler is ordered individually for a specific brand, car model, it will be expensive.

Advantages

Yes, of course there are, and two main ones stand out among them: the formation of downforce at high speed and the improvement of the appearance of the car. But there are other, less noticeable advantages. For example, a front spoiler lowers the body's air resistance, which leads to lower fuel consumption. As a result - saving money, plus for the environment (less exhaust gases). It turns out an interesting paradox or a phenomenon that is hard to believe. At high speed, the car experiences less gravity: the wheels, although they are pressed against the ground, but not so much, and then there is also a decrease in resistance to the oncoming flow. As a result, the car, as it were, loses weight, which reduces friction, increases the life of parts.



The second benefit is improved security. On a squat car, the spoiler is better seen by the approaching driver, in addition, the part is often equipped with brake lights, sometimes with “dimensions”. Elements made of polymers almost do not increase the weight of the car, but improve its handling. In winter, the braking distance is reduced, especially if, along with the part installed at the rear, there are so-called on the sides. threshold expanders. And one more small plus - in some models of auto spoiler prevents pollution of the rear window.

So to put it or not?

When a car model is being developed at the factory, its aerodynamic drag is carefully calculated, and then, to make sure the calculations are correct, they test the model of the car in a special tube. Body configuration, grilles, headlights, door handles, bumpers - all affect the passage of air under the bottom, over the roof and from the sides of the car. With a calm ride (you are not a fan of racing), when most of the time in the car takes place in urban environments (home, work, shop, etc.), it is worth considering whether this contraption is needed? If the spoiler was not installed at the factory, but you decided to correct this "oversight", the aerodynamic element will benefit if:

✅ made of lightweight durable materials and technologically correct, according to the principle of a wing, and not just in the form of a flat part
✅ will look appropriate on the car: combined with the design of the body and its shade
✅ installation is carried out by people who are knowledgeable in such matters

Failure to comply with at least one of the requirements will lead to unnecessary headaches. Instead of joy, you will get problems, and even caustic jokes from friends and acquaintances.