Why are some cars not equipped with fenders at the rear, but at the front of the wheels?
- June 7, 2022
- 0
When we look at the car, it is sometimes difficult to grasp the logic of engineering. Here, for example, mud flaps. We have all been used to them
When we look at the car, it is sometimes difficult to grasp the logic of engineering. Here, for example, mud flaps. We have all been used to them for a long time and we know what they are for. But only when it comes to those fenders that are behind the wheels. But what the same mudguards do for the wheels remains a mystery to many motorists. The AvtoVzglyad portal decided to dispel the veil from this mystery so that a large part of car owners could sleep peacefully without being tormented by this problem.
All drivers are familiar with the function of mudguards. They are located behind the wheels and cover the underside of the car from rocks flying out from under the tires. The same mud flaps prevent road debris from flying further and thus protect other cars from chips and scratches. But there are cars with mud flaps for the wheels. Why they are installed – many do not know.
So let’s start with the fact that these devices are not fenders at all, but shields. And if you look closely, they are distinguished from fenders by their size – they are much smaller. Just because they’re called shields doesn’t mean they protect against anything at all. Their real function is to correct errors in aerodynamics and improve the passive safety of the car. How do they do that?
By diverting high-speed air currents from the car’s wheels and arches, these little helpers reduce lift. The point is that the amounts of incoming air are too great, and if some of it isn’t directed in the right direction, it can lead to a rise in the front of the car, which in turn will inevitably increase the drag coefficient, as well as the fuel consumption. In addition, if the downforce becomes insufficient, the steerability of the car deteriorates.
Engineers, for example, solve the same problem in motorsport by cutting gills behind the wheels so that excess air leaves a place suitable for accumulation more quickly. However, in the civilian automotive industry, gills are not used. And instead they install the same shields for the wheels.
Another useful feature of the shields is that they help tires cope with the risk of aquaplaning in the rain. The downward airflow seems to push the water apart, giving the tires a thinner water film. This also improves the drainage of moisture in the contact area of the tire with asphalt and thus the stability of movement.
As you already understood, shields are not a whim of engineers or designers, but an essential necessity. After all, before releasing a car in a series, each manufacturer necessarily blows it into a wind tunnel, where you can clearly see how the air flows are distributed. In problem areas, they are diverted in different ways. And the brushes for the wheels are one of them.
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Photo: Drive2
All drivers are familiar with the function of mudguards. They are located behind the wheels and cover the underside of the car from rocks flying out from under the tires. The same mud flaps prevent road debris from flying further and thus protect other cars from chips and scratches. But there are cars with mud flaps for the wheels. Why they are installed – many do not know.
So let’s start with the fact that these devices are not fenders at all, but shields. And if you look closely, they are distinguished from fenders by their size – they are much smaller. Just because they’re called shields doesn’t mean they protect against anything at all. Their real function is to correct errors in aerodynamics and improve the passive safety of the car. How do they do that?
By diverting high-speed air currents from the car’s wheels and arches, these little helpers reduce lift. The point is that the amounts of incoming air are too great, and if some of it isn’t directed in the right direction, it can lead to a rise in the front of the car, which in turn will inevitably increase the drag coefficient, as well as the fuel consumption. In addition, if the downforce becomes insufficient, the steerability of the car deteriorates.
Engineers, for example, solve the same problem in motorsport by cutting gills behind the wheels so that excess air leaves a place suitable for accumulation more quickly. However, in the civilian automotive industry, gills are not used. And instead they install the same shields for the wheels.
Another useful feature of the shields is that they help tires cope with the risk of aquaplaning in the rain. The downward airflow seems to push the water apart, giving the tires a thinner water film. This also improves the drainage of moisture in the contact area of the tire with asphalt and thus the stability of movement.
As you already understood, shields are not a whim of engineers or designers, but an essential necessity. After all, before releasing a car in a series, each manufacturer necessarily blows it into a wind tunnel, where you can clearly see how the air flows are distributed. In problem areas, they are diverted in different ways. And the brushes for the wheels are one of them.
SUBSCRIBE FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
PORTAL “AVTOVGLYAD” IN TELEGRAM
Source: Avto Vzglyad
I’m Sandra Torres, a passionate journalist and content creator. My specialty lies in covering the latest gadgets, trends and tech news for Div Bracket. With over 5 years of experience as a professional writer, I have built up an impressive portfolio of published works that showcase my expertise in this field.
