You have probably seen spoilers before on many cars, especially sports cars. But, if you’ve noticed them on SUVs, you might have been a bit astonished. Why would an SUV have spoilers?
You might think putting a spoiler on an SUV is a bit superfluous. After all, unlike a sports car, it will not go very fast. But spoilers are there to improve aerodynamics, not increase velocity.
Rear spoilers on SUVs improve gas mileage rather than provide downward force as they do for sports cars. A spoiler on an SUV makes the vehicle more aerodynamic, which results in less drag and improved gas mileage.
In this guide, I will explain why SUVs have spoilers, but you may wonder what they are and how they enhance gas mileage.
So, explore on to uncover.
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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 resistance.
These spoilers modify the airflow around the SUV allowing it to flow more freely 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 an essential 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 sturdier. ABS plastic is used frequently in SUVs and other vehicles because it is economical and easy to make.
Fiberglass sets with epoxy are also used for spoilers, and the ones made with this material are sturdier. However, this material is difficult to make, so it is not used as often.
There are also carbon fiber spoilers on many sports cars. These are significantly tougher than fiberglass spoilers.
How Did Spoilers Get Their Name?
The word spoiler might seem like an odd choice for something that is beneficial. 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 diminishes the adverse wind flow over the SUV as it drives.
This reduces the drag of the SUV and results in better fuel mileage.
Will A Spoiler Actually Improve My Fuel Mileage?
Spoilers decrease 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 apparent on highways where the SUV travels at higher speeds and uses more fuel to resist aerodynamic drag.
If you are traveling on local roads, you may not notice much of a distinction. After all, at a low 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 faster. Spoilers decrease the drag on your car, which means the engine has less resistance to overcome.
The decreased 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 very useful, and many people probably think they are there just to look good. But they actually have a purpose.
Spoilers not only enhance your gas mileage, but they can also improve your SUV’s speed and efficiency by reducing its drag.
