How Vehicle Aerodynamics Improve Efficiency

Typically, vehicle aerodynamics are only discussed in association with race cars, but improved wind resistance figures can also improve the efficiency of a vehicle.

In race cars, there are three main reasons to improve aerodynamics: cooling, downforce, and minimizing drag. The drag part of the equation can translate well to daily driving vehicles as well. The less drag your vehicle has, the more efficient it can be. The engine doesn’t have to work as hard to get through the air, which means you burn less fuel and improve the efficiency of your vehicle, thanks to its aerodynamics.

What is the purpose of a spoiler?

Spoilers and rear wings are not the same thing. On race cars, spoilers are used to prevent lift by obstructing the path of lift-creating airflow. This changes the path of he air and typically helps push the rear of a vehicle downward toward the track. Spoilers can help improve efficiency in regular cars the same way. A front spoiler, which is known as an air dam, reduces the air going under the vehicle, which lowers drag and improves fuel efficiency.

How do air curtains improve efficiency?

Air curtains are vents at the front corners of a vehicle to allow air to flow beneath the headlights and into the wheel housings. This air flowing around the front wheels helps cool the brakes but also reduces air resistance on the vehicle body. This is a feature of vehicle aerodynamics that can be extremely helpful and improve your overall efficiency by allowing air to flow more freely where it won’t become resistance. The double benefit is the cooling effect that occurs when the air flows around your brakes and wheels to cool them during high-speed driving.

Can grille blocks help your vehicle?

Grille blocks limit the airflow over your radiator and into the engine. This can be extremely helpful in winter when it can be hard to get your engine up to the right temperature because of the constant flow of cold air. These blocks can usually be used to open and close as needed to keep your engine bay at the right temperature, ensuring optimum performance, which translates to improved fuel mileage during your drive.

How do automakers lower the drag coefficient?

If you wonder why many performance cars are shaped like door wedges and early hybrids share that shape, it’s because these vehicles are designed to cut through the air and reduce drag. This means lowering the drag coefficient, which is a figure used to measure wind resistance. Some of the methods used by automakers to reduce this figure are:

Round the edges of the front end
Tune the grille and fascia openings
Tune the wheel opening
Place front spoilers in front of the tires to reduce turbulence
Tune the size and shape of the outside mirrors
Reshape the water channel on the A-pillars
Adjust the front fascia and air dam to reduce drag under the vehicle
Add side skirts
Tune the deck height, length, and edge radius
Install a rear spoiler
Adjust the angle of the rear window
Tuck up the exhaust system
Use a diffuser to route air coming off the underside
Install “belly pans” to cover underbody components and smooth airflow

Are there things you can do to improve vehicle aerodynamics?

You can improve your vehicle’s efficiency by making the best use of the aerodynamic features and qualities of your vehicle. Some things you can do are:

- Reduce the use of roof racks
- Roll up your windows and turn on the air conditioner when driving above 35 MPH
- Replacing any broken or damaged body parts
- Lowering the vehicle
- Runing narrower tires
- Choosing smoother wheels

Is there anything else you can do?

The vehicle aerodynamics can only do so much to improve efficiency and give you the desired results. If you want to improve fuel efficiency, there are a few things you should do as well; many of them involve your driving habits. Here are a few things you can do to improve your vehicle’s efficiency:

- - - Check your tire inflation regularly
    - Use cruise control and don’t speed excessively
    - Avoid idling as much as possible
    - Ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of your vehicle
    - Get rid of extra weight
    - Have a route plan; combine trips as much as possible
    - Drive conservatively – no hard braking or fast take offs

Using these tips, you can improve the efficiency of your vehicle, regardless of what you drive. Vehicle aerodynamics plays a huge roll in the efficiency, ensuring you can drive longer when you have a more aerodynamic vehicle and relatively efficient powertrain doing the work.