Spoilers

ac 427 · 12th June 2009, 14:27

This is a question that has always baffled me.

Why is a spoiler called a spoiler ??

WHat does it spoil ?

Kindly englighten me.

cheers,
ac

Rodie09 · 12th June 2009, 14:32

Spoiler (automotive) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

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. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often called air dams, because in addition to directing air flow they also reduce the amount of air flowing underneath the vehicle which reduces aerodynamic lift. Spoilers are often fitted to race and high-performance sports cars, although they have become common on passenger vehicles as well. Some spoilers are added to cars primarily for styling purposes and have either little aerodynamic benefit or even make the aerodynamics

Hope that helps.

siddartha · 12th June 2009, 14:37

It is called a spoiler because it "spoils" the streamlined flow of air in order to create downforce.

A friend of mine has another definition, she says its called a spoiler as it spoils the look of the car . she doesnt like cars with spoilers.

sgiitk · 12th June 2009, 14:38

Good question. It disturbs the airflow hence is called a spoiler. Specifically it is supposed to spoil the turbulence. Can be used to increase the downforce or to giide more air into the hood/brakes.

Rear spoilers in a sedan are not very useful since the region behind the rear screen is a highly disturbed airflow. Thus they are almost totally cosmetic. The 'lip' on the top rear edge of a hatchback can be very effective, since it breaks up the turbulence behind the car, and thus reduces the drag and hence improves the fuel consumption.

TomRider · 12th June 2009, 14:46

Good thread! I never knew this and never cared to think about it!
Thanks for the info guys.

silver_shadow · 12th June 2009, 16:38

the average spoiler on indian cars fitted by some road side pappu is a spoiler because it's really pathetic!

passion4cars · 12th June 2009, 18:41

Spoiler - spoils many things

- if not done properly - it spoils your car - your money - your mood - you get a feeling of being like a goat

- after a while it just looses its gumming or screws and becomes loose and hangs like dentures - again spoiling everything

- some cars have very weird spoilers - again spoiling everything mentioned in point 1.

ajay_satpute · 6th September 2010, 18:37

Hi

Please suggest if I can put a spoiler on Indica Vista.

I think it will look good and technically also, I don't think there is any issue.

Please please suggest.

-Ajay

buntydey · 6th September 2010, 19:55

After I fixed the spoiler on my Swift, a strange humming sound is coming which increases with speed. I wonder if this is due to the spoiler?? Any ideas anyone!!

vigsom · 6th September 2010, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by buntydey

After I fixed the spoiler on my Swift, a strange humming sound is coming which increases with speed. I wonder if this is due to the spoiler?? Any ideas anyone!!

Does the car have a carrier?If yes,that's the cause of the noise

buntydey · 6th September 2010, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigsom

Does the car have a carrier?If yes,that's the cause of the noise

Nope, its just the spoiler.. no carrier at all. Initially i thought that my tyres are running low on air, but checked it today, and still the sound remains. Just for info, my tyres are 2 months old Yoko A drives (185/70/14), so it is definitely not a case of bad tyres.

avishar · 6th September 2010, 20:38

Spoilers are useful only when you approach high speeds,its only then when you can feel the downforce.And also spoilers are only effective when they are designed keeping that particular car in mind.Its not like one size fits all.In fact badly fitted spoilers increase your drag and also as a result the top speed and FE.

@buntydey yours is surely caused due to wind noise,just like any other protruding part of the car like the orvms.Is yours those small spoilers fixed to the top of the rear windscreen?

vigsom · 7th September 2010, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by buntydey

Nope, its just the spoiler.. no carrier at all. Initially i thought that my tyres are running low on air, but checked it today, and still the sound remains. Just for info, my tyres are 2 months old Yoko A drives (185/70/14), so it is definitely not a case of bad tyres.

If you could post a pic,maybe a solution would emerge

ghodlur · 7th September 2010, 08:11

Spoilers spoil the look of the car, period.

Esp the rear spoilers, actually havent seen any front spoilers. On highways agreed that some aerodynamics are involved but in city drive, no chance.

I have seen some hideous looking spoilers on Mumbai roads, fail to understand the logic on installing one.

Fiddler · 7th September 2010, 08:22

At high speeds the shape of a Car is like an Aerofoil. aerofoil - Google Search
An upward force or Lift as it is called in Aviation is generated. This acts through the CG and is countered by the weight of the Car.

At sufficiently high speed this lift will be greater than weight. ( I dont know but I have always assumed that the car loses its road grip when this happens)

A Spoiler spoils the airflow bringing the Seperation point of the Airflow forward thereby Spoiling the Lift and hence stay on the ground.

Some pro Mechanics can help clarify if this assumption is right.

12th June 2009, 14:27	#1
ac 427 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,423 Thanked: 462 Times View My Garage	Spoilers This is a question that has always baffled me. Why is a spoiler called a spoiler ?? WHat does it spoil ? Kindly englighten me. cheers, ac
	() Thanks

12th June 2009, 14:32	#2
Rodie09 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 564 Thanked: 1,979 Times View My Garage	Spoils unfavourable air movement Spoiler (automotive) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Quote: 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. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often called air dams, because in addition to directing air flow they also reduce the amount of air flowing underneath the vehicle which reduces aerodynamic lift. Spoilers are often fitted to race and high-performance sports cars, although they have become common on passenger vehicles as well. Some spoilers are added to cars primarily for styling purposes and have either little aerodynamic benefit or even make the aerodynamics Hope that helps. Last edited by Technocrat : 12th June 2009 at 14:39. Reason: Removed Color tags
	(2) Thanks

12th June 2009, 14:37	#3
siddartha BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: bangalore Posts: 671 Thanked: 24 Times	It is called a spoiler because it "spoils" the streamlined flow of air in order to create downforce. A friend of mine has another definition, she says its called a spoiler as it spoils the look of the car . she doesnt like cars with spoilers.
	() Thanks

12th June 2009, 14:38	#4
sgiitk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,971 Thanked: 4,808 Times	Good question. It disturbs the airflow hence is called a spoiler. Specifically it is supposed to spoil the turbulence. Can be used to increase the downforce or to giide more air into the hood/brakes. Rear spoilers in a sedan are not very useful since the region behind the rear screen is a highly disturbed airflow. Thus they are almost totally cosmetic. The 'lip' on the top rear edge of a hatchback can be very effective, since it breaks up the turbulence behind the car, and thus reduces the drag and hence improves the fuel consumption.
	(1) Thanks

12th June 2009, 14:46	#5
TomRider BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: KL7-KA03-NYC Posts: 340 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Good thread! I never knew this and never cared to think about it! Thanks for the info guys.
	() Thanks

12th June 2009, 16:38	#6
silver_shadow BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 366 Thanked: 3 Times	the average spoiler on indian cars fitted by some road side pappu is a spoiler because it's really pathetic!
	() Thanks

12th June 2009, 18:41	#7
passion4cars BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 156 Thanked: 6 Times	Spoiler - spoils many things - if not done properly - it spoils your car - your money - your mood - you get a feeling of being like a goat - after a while it just looses its gumming or screws and becomes loose and hangs like dentures - again spoiling everything - some cars have very weird spoilers - again spoiling everything mentioned in point 1.
	(2) Thanks

6th September 2010, 18:37	#8
ajay_satpute Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 1,957 Thanked: 1,711 Times View My Garage	Spoiler on Indica Vista Hi Please suggest if I can put a spoiler on Indica Vista. I think it will look good and technically also, I don't think there is any issue. Please please suggest. -Ajay
	() Thanks

6th September 2010, 19:55	#9
buntydey BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 155 Thanked: 3 Times View My Garage	After I fixed the spoiler on my Swift, a strange humming sound is coming which increases with speed. I wonder if this is due to the spoiler?? Any ideas anyone!!
	() Thanks

6th September 2010, 20:38	#12
avishar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: kolkata/bangalore,india Posts: 2,906 Thanked: 4,236 Times	Spoilers are useful only when you approach high speeds,its only then when you can feel the downforce.And also spoilers are only effective when they are designed keeping that particular car in mind.Its not like one size fits all.In fact badly fitted spoilers increase your drag and also as a result the top speed and FE. @buntydey yours is surely caused due to wind noise,just like any other protruding part of the car like the orvms.Is yours those small spoilers fixed to the top of the rear windscreen?
	() Thanks

7th September 2010, 08:11	#14
ghodlur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,230 Thanked: 4,720 Times View My Garage	Spoilers spoil the look of the car, period. Esp the rear spoilers, actually havent seen any front spoilers. On highways agreed that some aerodynamics are involved but in city drive, no chance. I have seen some hideous looking spoilers on Mumbai roads, fail to understand the logic on installing one.
	() Thanks

7th September 2010, 08:22	#15
Fiddler BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Malaz Posts: 39 Thanked: 20 Times	At high speeds the shape of a Car is like an Aerofoil. aerofoil - Google Search An upward force or Lift as it is called in Aviation is generated. This acts through the CG and is countered by the weight of the Car. At sufficiently high speed this lift will be greater than weight. ( I dont know but I have always assumed that the car loses its road grip when this happens) A Spoiler spoils the airflow bringing the Seperation point of the Airflow forward thereby Spoiling the Lift and hence stay on the ground. Some pro Mechanics can help clarify if this assumption is right.
	() Thanks