Pros and Cons Of A Spoiler: Is It Worth Buying?

Spoiler, a mechanical device whose paramount job is to improve a car's stability and handling by disrupting the airflow and producing more downforce, is never looked at by most Indians as more than an object improving the overall look of the vehicle. That said, 100% they enhance the aesthetics of cars, but they also have some real negatives. That's why I am providing you with a clear picture of the spoiler and telling you all about its pros and cons, so follow till the end, and also join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.

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Pros of Spoiler

Improved Downforce

Well, there are dozens of benefits of a spoiler, the most important one is that it improves the downforce of the car. So, they are designed in a way that when air touches the panel, it directs the air in an upward direction. While the air drifts, the weight on the spoiler increases, which is basically giving the car more downforce. This results in the car staying intact in its place until the driver changes it direction. By this procedure, the weight on the tyres is added, which results in the car not losing its balance, and in popular media terms, not getting lifted.

Downforce is a very integral part of sports cars. I am sure you must have seen videos of racing cars losing control suddenly on track and crashing, or even normal commuter vehicles slipping off the road when driven fast, and that happens because of low downforce. Usually, at high speeds, a car can lift off suddenly if there isn't a good amount of downforce because the speed of air is so high that it can destabilize your over 1200 kg vehicle. This is the main reason why you see all sports cars have humongous spoilers.

Aerodynamics

If your car is aerodynamically great, then even with a small engine, you can win a long race against a highly un-aerodynamic car with a massively powerful engine. Yes, that's true, and even tested. The reason behind this is that the car is cutting through the air more efficiently, and the huge airflow isn't hitting it. Basically, it's communicating with it, not arguing, to make it simple. This communication is enhanced with the help of a spoiler, and during high speeds, the driver will feel more confident as the stability and handling will significantly improve.

The benefits of a highly aerodynamic vehicle are huge. To begin with, they are more fun to drive, highly fuel-efficient, and easy to handle, and the engine doesn't have to work extra. Plus, they are a much safer choice.

Overall Aesthetics

Blame movies like Fast and Furious for all the spoilers you see on Indian roads. They're the one who showed us what a spoiler can do to your machine. Yes, they improve the overall look of the car, and if they are fitted on a long sedan, then it definitely becomes a head-turner. However, choosing the right size of the spoiler is important, as sometimes people buy these huge spoilers that look so weird on their small cars and totally spoil that stock look.

Braking

Yes, the braking performance improves rapidly because of a spoiler, and by now, you must have understood why. The downforce, which is adding weight to the tyres and working to improve stability, is a natural braker. So, when you apply brakes, it becomes much easier for the car to slow down because there is already a huge amount of downforce available. So, it also reflects our point about why it improves overall safety.

Cons of Spoiler

Poor visibility

The rear visibility deteriorates because of their size and placement, especially in a sedan, which can become a real issue if you don't have a rear parking camera. To add more, in sedans, spoilers really put the IRVM to waste, as you literally can't see anything apart from the spoiler. So, this is a major issue. In SUVs or hatchbacks, it doesn't becomes a headache.

Windnoise

Yes, the downforce isn't soundless; you can clearly hear the weight being added on, and sometimes, it can become a distraction, usually at high speeds, because the noise increases as you rev hard. But that wind noise also depends on the angular shape of the spoiler. So, ultimately, it depends on choosing the right one, but they usually cost too much, which brings us to our third point.

Cost

Real quality spoilers aren't cheap; they start at over Rs 15,000 and can put a dent in your pocket. Proper fitment is essential, as the wrong one can damage your car's body, working against its intended purpose. An incorrectly fitted spoiler can provide downforce to only one side of the car, resulting in a terrible driving experience. Therefore, choosing the right spoiler and relying on skilled mechanics is a must.

Added Weight

There is a reason why spoilers are necessary only for sports cars or high-performance SUVs: they have an enormous amount of power, which needs that extra weight to slow down. That's why they have them. On the other hand, people who have fitted them just for styling in their small hatchbacks or compact SUVs are only adding extra weight, which affects the overall performance and handling.

Plus, it also affects fuel economy because of the extra weight. Also, normal cars can't go that fast, so there is really no need for a spoiler. If you check out the BMW M4 Competition, it has a small lip spoiler made of carbon fiber, and that car goes from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4 seconds. So, if a true sports car has a small spoiler, do you really think your 7-seater MPV is low on downforce?

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