What does a spoiler do on a car?

SPOILERS look stunning when installed on the right car, but did you know that this component actually has another use besides sprucing up your ride?

Like the name suggests, spoilers are tasked to “spoil” the airflow that affects the stability of the car. In other words, spoilers are used to reduce the negative effects of the airflow.

The popularity of spoilers began to rise around the 1960s when vehicle manufacturers were seeking ways to improve the aerodynamics of race cars.

Thanks to fuel economy regulations, spoilers later began to be widely used on passenger cars to allow manufacturers to achieve better fuel efficiency. The first car to come with a spoiler was the 1967 Dodge Charger.

Just by mentioning the word spoiler, you might imagine a wing-type spoiler that sits on the rear deck lid.

Yes, that is a spoiler, but spoilers also come in different shapes and sizes, and can be fitted to the front and sides of the car to improve aerodynamic efficiency.

When a car is moving at a high speed, a vast amount of air can flow underneath it, creating “lift” which reduces grip and affects the stability of the car.

This can be overcome by installing a spoiler or splitter beneath the front bumper. It essentially blocks the air flow from getting under the car and helps direct air to cool the brakes and other components.

At the rear, the air flow tends to be more turbulent, so a spoiler is used to generate downforce that will push the car down into the ground. This will provide the car with better traction, making it more stable and agile in turns.

That being said, installing a spoiler also has its drawbacks. Besides the added weight, the main problem with spoilers is that they also create drag that can affect the maximum speed and fuel efficiency.

Additionally, a high spoiler can obstruct the driver’s view, especially when looking at the rearview mirror while reversing.

With technological advancements, some manufacturers now offer active aero elements on their vehicles. The strong point of this system is that it can automatically adjust the aerodynamic features based on the vehicle’s speed.

Among the main components of active aerodynamics are the front grille, front splitter, diffuser, and spoiler. The first car to have active aero was the Porsche 959 but it was the Volkswagen Corrado that made the technology much more attainable.