Automotive: 6 Ways to Improve Your Car’s Aerodynamics
Your car’s aerodynamic efficiency directly affects speed, acceleration, fuel economy, and handling. Most modern automobiles have a streamlined design to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag, resulting from poor airflow and reducing speed, impacting handling, increasing fuel consumption, and hurting overall performance.
Whether you own an inexpensive fuel-efficient sedan or a gasoline guzzler like a high-end SUV, here are proven ways of improving your car’s aerodynamics, especially important with gas prices so high today.
1. Remove unnecessary components
Drag negates your vehicle’s aerodynamics. In cars, drag increases with friction and wind resistance. The more drag you experience, the harder your engine works to move at constant speeds, increasing your fuel consumption.
Most modern cars have streamlined shapes to reduce drag. However, unnecessary additions such as roof racks, flags, and carriers can hurt your car’s aerodynamics. Besides slowing down the vehicle, you experience a significant drop in performance levels. It’s advisable to remove the excess components to improve your car’s performance.
2. Install a rear spoiler
Spoilers are thin trims usually placed above the trunk lid, as seen in most Monaco Motorsports cars. When air flows over the trunk lid, the spoiler concentrates and redirects it to create more downforce and increase traction. As a result, you can drive through corners and higher speeds and apply brakes faster.
3. Check your front bumper
Your car’s front bumper affects its aerodynamics, so ensure that it’s always in good condition, free of dents and holes. It also helps to purchase a streamlined bumper if you like driving on highways.
When repairing or upgrading your bumper, consider its air dam. This component resembles a front lip and helps redirect air around your ground and improve traction. Luckily, most stock front bumpers have a streamlined design that improves aerodynamics. It’s advisable to research to ensure you get a piece that doesn’t compromise your vehicle’s visual appeal.
4. Check the tires
If your car has wide tires, consider replacing them with narrower wheels. Narrow tires enhance airflow because they have a smaller surface area. They also make it easier to drive through snow.
Additionally, check your tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase your contact surface with the ground, resulting in more drag and friction. Always examine the tires before starting the engine for a stress-free driving experience.
5. Install a front air dam
Apart from enhancing the look of your car, a front air dam also improves your car’s aerodynamics. It reduces the amount of air flowing under the vehicle, which helps to decrease the drag.
6. Add a diffuser
A diffuser is a trim installed underneath the back of your car. It sucks your car onto the road helping to increase the grip, also known as the aerodynamic grip. Unfortunately, installing a diffuser is impractical in some cars due to their shape.
Endnote
As fuel prices rise, people are looking for methods of making their cars more efficient. Improving your aerodynamics improves fuel economy and enhances the overall driving experience. From an activist’s perspective, lower fuel consumption conserves the environment.