Under spoiler?

[bennelson]

I changed the oil on my wife's 2000 Pontiac Sunfire today.

It has a rubbery/plasticy flap that sticks DOWNward from under the front bumper.

Is this an aerodynamic thing to diver air around the car better?

Does anyone know if that is what this device does, or if it has a proper name?

Does adding one to a car that doesn't have one do anything?

-Ben

[DifferentPointofView]

I'm pretty sure it's called a Lip Spoiler. I also think it increases frontal down force, That is of course, if it is a functional part and not just there for looks and show.

[SVOboy]

I usually just call it a lip, a lot of cars have them hidden away, and I do believe it's an aero thing, though it might also be to divert air that might make the cabin noisier.

*shrug*

[JerkOfAllTrades]

but I'm too lazy to look it up.
However, back in the sixty's the correct name for the
chin spoiler is diaplane.
Not sure I have the spelling correct, but it's close.
These days it's called a splitter because it splits the air.

Just a little auto history for those who care.

[Frank Lee]

Ummm... "jerk"?

A chin spoiler is not a splitter. Different parts, different mounting locations, different functions.

[Stan]

I remember some GM advertising back in the day. They claimed that little spoiler created a low pressure area to help make the radiator more efficient by sucking air through it and under the car. (see Metro's linked articles...)

It'd be an easy thing to check...