The desire to improve aerodynamics seems to be something innate within all of us. Since the beginning of time, humans have been inventing and reinventing ways to move through the world around us. From Leonardo Da Vinci to the Wright Brothers to Henry Ford, someone has always been tinkering with machinery to revolutionize and enhance our lives.
In today’s world, there are constant advances to make our cars more agile and efficient when moving at high speeds. Adrenaline junkies and car enthusiasts especially understand the craving to make a car aerodynamic.
Luckily, you don’t have to wait for the latest car model to come out if you want improved aerodynamics. There are plenty of simple adjustments you can make through DIY efforts. So if you’re a speedster who likes riding with the pedal to the metal, keep reading to learn how to make a car more aerodynamic for a smoother, faster ride.
The basics of car aerodynamics
Simply put, car aerodynamics is described by NASA as “the way air moves around things.” Most of us know that contoured shapes make for maximum aerodynamics, because the smooth curves reduce the airflow and drag on the object. The same is true for cars. Hence, to make your car more aerodynamic, you want to reduce drag and improve airflow anywhere you can. This will make your car faster, and as a bonus, it will improve your fuel economy. Total win-win.
Where to start with your car
Before you start adding things to your car to make it more aerodynamic, you first want to think about things you can remove. Anything creating unnecessary drag on your car will need to go if you want to optimize aerodynamics. For example, take off roof racks, roof storage, trailer hitches, flag accessories, etc. Another simple way to improve aerodynamics is to roll up your windows, especially if you’re on the freeway.
Now it’s time to adjust the features of your car. If you drive a truck, consider getting a cover for the truck bed. This will quickly bring your vehicle to a more aerodynamic level. Next, analyze your tires. If they are wide, replace them with narrower tires for more agility, better travel through snow, and — you guessed it — better car aerodynamics.
Finally, think about adding some new features to really bring things to the next level. A lip kit is a great way to reduce drag, maximize airflow, and improve aesthetics of your car. This is an inexpensive way to really change your car's aerodynamics.If you want to finish your car's look, consider getting smoky covers for your car's headlights.
Wind deflectors and in-channel vent visors are another excellent way to improve aerodynamics for a relatively low cost. Wind deflectors are also known as rain guards. They can be installed on the edges of your side windows and even on your sunroof. Wind deflectors will decrease drag and improve airflow to make your car more aerodynamic. They have other great benefits, too: wind deflectors decrease the amount of rain and bugs that end up on your side windows, meaning you’ll spend a lot less time cleaning up grime and have better visibility as you drive, no matter what the weather conditions.
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