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As a moving car passes through air, that air moves relative to the car in what is known as a laminar flow. Laminar flows occur when a fluid (gas or liquid) such as air passes a solid body in smooth layers. At points where the streamlined flow of air is disrupted, a turbulent flow occurs. A self-propelled vehicle, such as an automobile, will expend considerably more energy fighting against turbulent flows, in addition to experiencing a rougher ride. Rear spoilers can be engineered to transform potential turbulent flow into laminar flow by changing the angle at which air flows off the roof of the car and towards the spoiler. The change, though it occurs initially at the rear of the vehicle, means that the nose of the vehicle is able to cut through the air more effectively. When measured as a drag coefficient, the negative effects of air flow will decrease with more laminar flow. I would think that the turbulent air would be redirected earlier at the roof than at the tail of the car which would aid in aerodynamic efficiency. I don't like them though when they are just put on a passenger car for looks. High speed use at the track or on a rally circuit would justify the roof spoilers. That's my $.02.
 
I eat rice, I don't put rice on my car!
sig quote by AEFL92, "you're not a pic whore...you're a pic pornstar..." |
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