So what exactly is a Rear Wing Spoiler?
According to the "experts", a Spoiler is NOT a Wing, and vice versa. Their missions in life are different. A rear spoiler is a device mounted on the rear deck of a car or truck ( or the rear roof of a van or SUV ) whose purpose is to "spoil" any air movement that doesn't help keep the car on the road. They help with vehicle stability and fuel mileage. They are to be found on many high performance sports cars, as well as on some everyday passenger cars.
The Rear Wing, on the other hand, is designed to generate a "down-force" at the back end of the vehicle, helping it to stay low to the ground. It is very effective for high speed cornering and general stability on the road, keeping the car "grounded". It is called a Wing because of its resemblance to an aircraft wing, although mounted in reverse.
The term Rear Wing Spoiler, then, is a bit of a misnomer as it implies some type of combination of the two. What most of us drive around with, whether factory mounted or an aftermarket version, is a Rear Spoiler. While some styles may imitate wings or foils, they are usually just for looks. But most spoilers will help reduce drag and improve gas mileage, which is good enough!
Picking through the pile of spoilers, you will find OEM Spoilers, Custom Spoilers, Universal Spoilers, and Specialty Spoilers.
- OEM Spoilers are a replica of the factory version and are guaranteed to fit your vehicle.
- Custom Spoilers have been test fitted for the year, make and model of vehicle you're driving, but is NOT a factory replica. They are still guaranteed to fit.
- Universal Spoilers are sold by dimension with no guaranteed fit. To insure the best fit possible, it's important that you measure your deck lid accurately.
- Specialty or High Rise Spoilers are usually an aggressive style and sold by dimension. Again, careful measuring is vital to make sure your deck lid fits properly.
So we are now armed with a minimal amount of knowledge, which is always dangerous, but which may help us decide on what we want back there. I think the key is always to look around - at the websites, at the car images online, or just walking around the parking lot or downtown or at a car show. You'll find others who have your vehicle ( or the one you're wanting to get ) and have a spoiler attached. That will help you see what looks best to you - which is all that REALLY matters! Good luck in your search for the rear wing spoilers - they are harder to find!
No comments:
Post a Comment