| What is the reason for all of the interest in this part | | | | The second reason these devices are added to cars |
| of an automobile? | | | | is for styling. People like to feel they are driving a |
| There are two key reasons. One is practical and the | | | | fast car. They want the appearance even if they will |
| other one is cosmetic. | | | | never push the car to speeds that require an |
| From a practical standpoint a vehicle moving through | | | | aerodynamic device like this. If you look at most new |
| air sometimes acts like an airplane. That is, the air | | | | cars, you will see some type of extension below the |
| flow under a car or truck travels a slightly shorter | | | | front bumper. It's there for the design and not to |
| distance than the air flow over the top of the | | | | hold the front end of the car down. |
| vehicle. This difference causes a pressure differential, | | | | Since not all cars come with this look, there is now a |
| with the low pressure at the top of the vehicle. | | | | large aftermarket which designs and builds lips, |
| This means that there is greater pressure trying to | | | | spoilers or air dams for people who want to dress up |
| lift the car up, than keep the car on the road. The | | | | their pride and joy. |
| weight of the car is enough in most circumstances to | | | | Is it all positive? No. There are a couple of things to |
| overcome this tendency to lift up. However, move | | | | keep in mind. First, this is additional weight on the |
| the car fast enough and thereby increase the air flow | | | | front end of the car. It should not make a difference, |
| and interesting things can happen. Just like an airplane | | | | but if you add a very heavy weight to the front end |
| taking off, enough speed equals enough lift and you | | | | you can change the handling characteristics of a car. |
| are air borne. | | | | Second, you have now lowered the distance from |
| What is good for an airplane is disaster for a car. If | | | | the front end to the pavement. On a level road, |
| you ever watch pictures of car races, you might see | | | | there should be no problem. However, hit a dip, or a |
| a picture of a fast moving race car suddenly lift up in | | | | tall parking block, or even a steep driveway and you |
| its front end and sometimes completely flip upside | | | | may find your front end is dragging on the ground. |
| down. | | | | The last caution is installation. Most aftermarket |
| The front spoiler or lip or air dam, is designed to stop | | | | products like this require a certain amount of |
| this dangerous air flow, on a race car or an exotic | | | | expertise to fit it correctly. If you do not have this |
| car which is capable of very high speeds. | | | | experience, find a professional for the installation. |