Buster1 Report post Posted August 20, 2010 Still not quite positive on what these are on the new Hybrid. They hang just in front of the rear wheels. Do you have them?? What are they? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xmech2k Report post Posted August 20, 2010 That's a darn good question. I've been wondering myself. I'll be watching. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfruth Report post Posted August 20, 2010 Mud flaps for when your backing up ? (was about to say mine doesn't have them but just looked & sure enough) ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort Report post Posted August 20, 2010 It is a wind deflector for the tire. Assuming it is designed correctly it can reduce wind resistance significantly. Search for "tire air flow deflector" or "tire wind deflector" -mort Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dogo88 Report post Posted August 20, 2010 Still not quite positive on what these are on the new Hybrid. They hang just in front of the rear wheels. Do you have them?? What are they? I'm not sure how new they are. It's on mime and I took delivery in May 09. Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuze-ion Report post Posted August 20, 2010 I have them on the front of my two rear wheelwells. I though it was just for protection from rocks and debris. I would have never thought it was for aerodynamics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akirby Report post Posted August 20, 2010 I have them on the front of my two rear wheelwells. I though it was just for protection from rocks and debris. I would have never thought it was for aerodynamics. You'd be surprised what they do for aerodynamics on hybrids. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drolds1 Report post Posted August 20, 2010 My MKZ Sport has them. Obviously not a hybrid. They improve aerodynamics on any car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FFHdriver Report post Posted August 20, 2010 (edited) My MKZ Sport has them. Obviously not a hybrid. They improve aerodynamics on any car. There is also a small deflector in front of the hybrid front wheels. Edited August 20, 2010 by FFHdriver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfruth Report post Posted August 21, 2010 Any physics major's (or anyone) out there care to explain how a wind block can aid in aerodynamics ((something to do with the tires not throwing the air around)) ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xmech2k Report post Posted August 21, 2010 Any physics major's (or anyone) out there care to explain how a wind block can aid in aerodynamics ((something to do with the tires not throwing the air around)) ? Well, I'm no physics major, but I'm an aviation geek. While I sure as heck don't know exactly how this works, I can tell you that aerodynamics can get pretty complicated, and it's not as simple as that thing being a wind block. As the air is pushed out of the way and flows around the car, it makes high and low pressure areas all around. You have to consider that air is compressible, so putting that part in there may not be an air block, but a deflector, or something like that, to actually redirect or smooth the airflow. Maybe there was a very turbulent spot in the wheel well, or maybe it helps the air start moving out of the way of the tire earlier to reduce drag. It's hard to tell, as it has so much to do with what else is going on ahead of and around that part. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xmech2k Report post Posted October 12, 2010 (edited) Digging up an old post here, but thought I would just add something. I never noticed this before, but I just found my wife's '05 Hyundai Tucson has the same gizmo's, just smaller and further in. Hmmmm.... Nice to find out what these actually do from someone in the biz. Oh, Mort said they are wind deflectors for the tires already. Duh! Well, anyways, it's on wanna-be SUV's too! Edited October 12, 2010 by xmech2k Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
