What would be the benefits of rear spoilers in cars, like this one:
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1$\begingroup$ Also see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiler_(automotive)#Passenger_vehicles. $\endgroup$– ŘídícíOct 12, 2014 at 16:40
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2$\begingroup$ The main purpose is to make a very plain-looking car look "cool" (or at least not so dorky). Imagine the above car without the spoiler -- it would look like an old Fiat. $\endgroup$– Hot LicksOct 12, 2014 at 21:11
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2$\begingroup$ It helps it accelerate off the showroom floor. $\endgroup$– Mike DunlaveyOct 12, 2014 at 23:54
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3 Answers
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From Wikipedia:
A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion, usually described as turbulence or drag.
A rear spoiler is designed to change the flow of air over the rear of the vehicle. This change in air flow increases downforce on the rear of the vehicle to help improve traction in an effort to prevent sliding while cornering.
- Benefit 1: Maintain Traction
- Benefit 2: Increase Fuel Efficiency
- Benefit 3: Create a Stylish Look
- Benefit 4: Increase Braking Stability
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$\begingroup$ The problem with this theory is that you need to exert an upward force on the air over the spoiler to get downforce, but to decrease that low-pressure zone you'd have to send air downwards. A spoiler beneath the car seems to make more sense. $\endgroup$– MSaltersOct 12, 2014 at 19:32
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$\begingroup$ The other problem is, as I understand it, that the effect is negligible for most cars at normal highway speeds. The only "spoilers" on road cars that I've ever seen which seemed to have a real use where the ones on hatchbacks, and even they are more about keeping the rear window cleaner. $\endgroup$– keshlamOct 12, 2014 at 21:15
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1$\begingroup$ If you're going to copy text from another website (in this case, Wikipedia, you need to credit your source. Not just link to it but explicitly state that that's where your words came from. Where did the pictures come from? If you didn't draw them yourself, they need to be credited. $\endgroup$ Oct 12, 2014 at 23:36
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What would be the benefits of rear spoilers in cars, like this one?
On cars like that one, there are no significant objective benefits. There are some disadvantages
- increased weight, so higher fuel consumption
- increased drag, so higher fuel consumption
On racing cars on racing tracks at high speeds, there can be increased downforce on the rear wheels which can aid grip in high-speed cornering and high-speed braking effectiveness.
A properly designed spoiler (unlike the one pictured) can reduce high-speed drag on cars that are otherwise not aerodynamically very efficient. This usually isn't a concern for typical use of cars like the one shown.
Cars marketed as "high performance" often don't have spoilers of the type shown (e.g. BMW M5)
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The spoiler spoil the air flow at the rear side. When the car is cruising, from the frame of reference of the car, air flows around it from front to back. If the air flow is smooth and if there is a large velocity at the rear side then there will be pressure drop. Thus, there is a low pressure at the rear side and higher pressure on the front side, creating a drag.
