What Do Car Spoilers Really Do? Question Of The Day
Whale tails and wicked wings can help some of the fast cars avoid taking flight, but are they necessary for grocery getters?
Photo by Ford Motor Co.
Question: Do spoilers on cars really serve any useful purpose?
Answer: Spoilers are designed to do exactly what the name implies: spoil or interrupt the airflow around a vehicle. On a an Indy Car, front and rear spoilers - called wings - create downward force thereby reducing the lift created at high speeds and improving maneuverability.
Rear spoilers, a close cousin to the wings used on the Indy car, on consumer cars serve a similar purpose, improving handling. With roots in performance, most spoilers today serve to enhance a car’s aerodynamics and serve as a stylish accessory.
If there were a Rear Spoiler Hall of Fame, the Porsche 911 would its star. As outlined by Total 911, a British Porsche enthusiast magazine dedicated to all things 911, in 1974 Porsche replaced the rear spoiler on the Carrera RS models with a newer, sleeker version. It replaced the more upright (duck tail) rear spoiler with a bigger ‘whale tail’ design. It remained unchanged throughout the 70s and 80s. The whale tail was a perfect mix of engineering and aesthetics. It worked like it was supposed to, and it looked cool while doing it.
Photo by Porsche
In recent years, active rear spoilers have become popular on some sports cars. In 2013, BMW introduced one on their 3 Series Gran Turismo. BMW claims that the spoiler adds a “sporty look” and reduces lift on the rear axle by 35%. The spoiler automatically extends when the car reaches a speed over 60 mph and then retracts flush with the trunk when speed is under 40 mph. The driver can also deploy and retract the spoiler with a touch of a button.
So, the answer, at least for a manufacturer-installed spoiler, is yes - they serve a purpose. What about aftermarket rear spoilers? Do they achieve the same level of downforce? The answer there is a definite maybe. If a spoiler is not installed correctly, and the angle of the blade is off, then it could actually be increasing drag on the car without increasing downforce. If a rear spoiler is too heavy for the car, then the weight increase could offset any fuel efficiency that might have been created by the airflow disruption.
Photo by Subaru
However, a properly designed and installed aftermarket spoiler, either front or rear, could produce positive results. As for the style function of an aftermarket rear spoiler or set of wings? The beauty is in the eye of the owner.
We’re scouring the Internet to uncover interesting questions that people have posted looking for advice from the unwashed masses. We will contact experts to give you well-researched, professional advice. You can also submit questions to autos_qotd@yahoo.com.
