Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - rear wheel arch spats (or Pig's ears)

sallen · 10-01-2016, 06:08 AM

morning most knowlegable aero folk

I've been wondering for ages what the spats are for which are found to the upper rear of the rear wheel well of modern vehicles.

I first noticed these on Mercedes SLK's ages ago, and other coupes (e.g. Audi TT), but they are cropping up on all sorts of cars.

I've searched a few times for info on them and finally got a lead:

SLK owners call them "Pig Ears" - you can see an example painted body colour (usually I see black ones) in this thread:
Mercedes Benz SLK Forum

what are they for?

- separating airflow before the curve at the rear of the car?
- disrupting vortices that come from the wheel well?

10-01-2016, 06:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
sallen EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London UK Posts: 88 VW GOLF - '96 Volkwagen Golf MK3 GL TEAM VW AUDI Group 90 day: 50.21 mpg (US) Commute scoot - '95 Suzuki AE50 Style Last 3: 70.4 mpg (US) The German - '99 Mercedes W202 C200 Classic 90 day: 27.65 mpg (US) Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	rear wheel arch spats (or Pig's ears) - function? morning most knowlegable aero folk I've been wondering for ages what the spats are for which are found to the upper rear of the rear wheel well of modern vehicles. I first noticed these on Mercedes SLK's ages ago, and other coupes (e.g. Audi TT), but they are cropping up on all sorts of cars. I've searched a few times for info on them and finally got a lead: SLK owners call them "Pig Ears" - you can see an example painted body colour (usually I see black ones) in this thread: Mercedes Benz SLK Forum what are they for? - separating airflow before the curve at the rear of the car? - disrupting vortices that come from the wheel well? __________________ Will you recoup money spent on mods in fuel saved? see my spreadsheets here