GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I ask this out of curiosity, and because it will affect my descision to get a spoiler....Do they actually do anything other than look good?I remember, back in the day, (like 15 years ago,) that on most cars a spoiler could actually save you a few mpg because of the way that it redirected air at the back of the car. Anyone know if this is still true? Or, has it become something that is more just for looks. I was hoping that it might keep some of the road dust off of the back window like it did with the Vue, but from what I have read in the threads I see that it dosen't. Makes me wonder if it will help or harm the gas mileage, or make no difference at all.On a funny note, I saw one of those gaudy aftermarket spoilers on an old dodge caravan the other day and just about laughed my a$$ off. Should have gotten a pic of that.

does nothing... if anything it will hurt your MPG by how much?? not much... it creates drag that the vibe already has tons of... it may... now i don't have one but it may help keep the rear window a bit cleaner in the rain but will also do the same for the dirt, as in, leaving more dirt on the back window

If you drive a truck it makes a difference to keep the tailgate up rather than down. I found that out on Mythbusters!Never heard of a spoiler adding mpg though.

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »does nothing... Does "nothing" you say? I must heartily disagree, sir! I can't tell you how many times that mid-gate spoiler has served me well by acting as a temporary beverage holder! Seriously, keithvibe is probably right; they're more "show" than "go".

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »Does "nothing" you say? I must heartily disagree, sir! I can't tell you how many times that mid-gate spoiler has served me well by acting as a temporary beverage holder! Seriously, keithvibe is probably right; they're more "show" than "go".Oooooooh outside cup holders! That's trick!

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Oooooooh outside cup holders! That's trick!Never even considered that... although if I did have one I am not sure I would want to chance leaving a ring on the paint job... LOL

Nothing a Microfiber coaster wouldnt take care of, LOL

I wish I had an outside cupholder

Then you could run a freon line through the spoiler to keep your beverages cold! hmmm... maybe cooling the air flowing over the mid-spoiler will decrease drag...... I figured that it didn't do much other than look good

Most of the time on a street car they are for the looks only. Even the big wings that the honda crowd uses on there cars do not produce any downforce until you are above highway speeds. Depending on the model the car manufacturers just made it look good but sometimes the only function that they serve is to direct the air down the back of the car to help clear the tailights of dirt and debris.

I thought the big wings were for easier pushing when you blow your engine from over doing it. You don't have to bend to push and you can rest your head on it while you're crying about all the money it's going to cost you.

He thinks its worth it, lol

hahahahawhelan, you beat me to it

with the exception of Porsche 911 and the ginormous STI wing, pretty much all spoilers on most cars are there for aesthetics only. i also hoped the top spoiler on the vibe would help keep dust off the rear hatch window, but it did absolutely nothing. in fact, yesterday, we took the OEM wing off my LGT and working on filling the holes. the spoiler creates drag, probably does effect my mpg and plus, i am looking to go for the cleaner look on the trunk.

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »with the exception of Porsche 911 and the ginormous STI wing, What about the Evo Wing, Veyron, F40, a few other Porsches where if pops up at 65+ automatically, Chrysler Crossfire, your local grocers supermarket cart?lol had to throw that last one in there, but there are many more that are functional. Although most are set for a 0 drag so they are looks only.

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »What about the Evo Wing, Veyron, F40, a few other Porsches where if pops up at 65+ automatically, Chrysler Crossfire, your local grocers supermarket cart?lol had to throw that last one in there, but there are many more that are functional. Although most are set for a 0 drag so they are looks only.You are compairing apples to oranges mang... The EVO and STi wings both do little in terms of downforce untill your over 100ish, there was a HUGE battle on NASIOC about this... Once you get into supercar territory, ok sure, but until then, most are for looks... Crossfire....hah... garbage... or a re-badged, de-tuned C-class soupe

I dunno the Crossfire SRT-6 is a pretty hot lookin car, especially since there are not a lot of them around.330HP from a charged V60-60 in 5.1Doesn't sound like a slow-poke to me.

the STI wing is functional at high rates of speeds (and we're talking like 130+). the Evo wing is not functional however, it's mainly for looks. i'm sure it MAY come in handy also at high rates of speed. the crossfire, though seems impressive on paper, is not really all that fast. i've ridden in one as well as watched them around the autocross track. the wing is not functional. unless you're talking F1 or race cars, most wings that come on a car are non-functional, especially the Vibe wing. it does nothing but look cute on the car.

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT » most wings that come on a car are non-functional, especially the Vibe wing. it does nothing but look cute on the car.And add weight and drag LOL

You used the word cute, lol!From what I read the Crossfire SRT could have made do with the retractable spoiler which is only useful when its going for its 151mph top speed, so probably over 100+mph it could be functional. I guess they just added the big one for looks.

I had my vibe for a year before I put on the upper spoiler...I record my gas mileage and before the wing the best I had was 34.6mpg. I installed the spoiler in february 07 and this summer I got 36.2 mpg...could be the spoiler or just the benefit of more highway driving...but either way it doesn't make it any more stable on corners

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