You have probably seen spoilers before on countless cars, especially sports cars. But, if you’ve noticed them on SUVs, you might have been a little surprised. Why would an SUV have spoilers?
You might think putting a spoiler on an SUV is a bit extreme. After all, unlike a sports car, it will not go very quick. But spoilers are there to improve aerodynamics, not increase speed.
Rear spoilers on SUVs enhance fuel efficiency rather than provide downward force as they do for sports cars. A spoiler on an SUV makes the vehicle more streamlined, which results in less drag and improved fuel consumption.
In this guide, I will explain why SUVs have spoilers, but you may wonder what they are and how they enhance fuel mileage.
So, ask on to explore.
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What Are Spoilers?
Spoilers are typically found on the rear of an SUV. They aid in improving your SUV’s fuel efficiency by reducing the drag.
These spoilers modify the airflow around the SUV allowing it to flow more smoothly in order to decrease the drag on the vehicle. The reduced drag will improve the SUV’s gas mileage by making it easier for the car to move forward.
Spoilers are a vital feature for SUVs due to their ability to increase gas mileage because many people use SUVs as family vehicles. Some people even choose to have one installed if their SUV doesn’t come with one.
What Materials Are Used To Make Spoilers?
Spoilers are made from ABS plastic combined with fillers to make them a bit more durable. ABS plastic is used frequently in SUVs and other vehicles because it is inexpensive and easy to make.
Fiberglass sets with epoxy are also used for spoilers, and the ones made with this material are stronger. However, this material is challenging to make, so it is not used as often.
There are also carbon fiber spoilers on many sports cars. These are considerably more robust than fiberglass spoilers.
How Did Spoilers Get Their Name?
The word spoiler might seem like an odd selection for something that is advantageous. After all, without knowing what it is, a person would likely think it is something negative.
Yet, the title of this tool arises from its purpose; a spoiler disrupts or reduces the unwanted wind flow over the SUV as it drives.
This decreases the resistance of the SUV and results in enhanced fuel efficiency.
Will A Spoiler Actually Improve My Fuel Mileage?
Spoilers reduce the aerodynamic drag on a vehicle, which means it will not need to use as much fuel to move.
However, the enhanced gas mileage will be more noticeable on highways where the SUV travels at greater speeds and uses more fuel to resist aerodynamic drag.
If you are traveling on local roads, you may not notice much of a difference. After all, at a decreased speed, there is less air resistance to overcome.
Do Spoilers Help Cars To Go Faster?
A spoiler can help your SUV to go faster. Although, it will not actually make your vehicle go any swifter. Spoilers reduce the drag on your car, which means the engine has less resistance to overcome.
The reduced resistance means the engine has less work to do in moving the car at higher speeds. So, even though the spoiler is not making the car go faster, it is helping.
Final Thoughts
Spoilers may not look particularly advantageous, and many people probably think they are there just to look attractive. But they actually have a function.
Spoilers not only enhance your gas mileage, but they can also improve your SUV’s speed and performance by reducing its air resistance.
