2007 February | Car Tuning Central

Why is Aerodynamics important in Car Tuning?

February 5th, 2007 by Shenron

The concept of aerodynamics in the design of a moving vehicle seems to pique car enthusiasts to no end. While this has contributed much to the innovation of those sleek, sophisticated and smooth exteriors that is prevalent in today’s sports cars, sedans, pickup trucks, SUV’s and even with the sub compact class; aerodynamics is in fact critical to the overall performance and handling of a vehicle. That is the reason why the car tuning industry in general is keen towards the aerodynamic structure of a car; with many F1 drivers and racing aficionados “body tuning” their coupes, not only to personalize the car’s body and appearance, but also to improve its aerodynamic performance.

What sets apart an aerodynamically suited vehicle from the average car is the lightweight casing and the non-air resistive body design that promote increased road holding, cornering and speed while reducing energy consumption; making it more fuel efficient, especially when driving at ballistic speeds. At velocities of 100 miles per hour or more, when cars are not aligned aerodynamically, a lot of mishaps can happen on the road. First, wind head-on slows the car down, so you need a lot more power to maintain speed. Second, cars tend to float at high speed, giving the car less traction on the wheels, to diminish the driver’s capability to maneuver the vehicle effectively.

Aerodynamics was not a factor when the Ford Model T came into production in the early 1900’s given the car’s design speed of only 30 mph. But as the automotive industry progressed, engines were made smaller and more powerful, bodies were built lighter, car velocity increased to over 200 mph and given the buyers’ increasing penchant for safety and ease, frills were then added to make driving more comfortable. Much has been established up to the first decade of the new century. Expect more innovations to awe car buyers at the turn of the century

Car designing requires a reasonable amount of science and logic. If we allow body shape to govern the design, this will create setbacks in gas consumption. Should mileage be made a priority, the car might not hold the necessary appeal and looks sought after by buyers. Add-on features have been devised to balance inconsistencies in the aerodynamic design of modern day vehicles, with most of these created to enhance the appearance of the car. Examples of these are the inverted wing that is used to generate downforce and stabilize cars at high speeds; diffusers, spoilers, canards, side skirts, side ducts, air dams and splitters were all designed to improve the car’s performance. New car models are already outfitted with these modifications, so buyers’ need not attach additional supplementary devices.

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What is a Suspension System?

February 3rd, 2007 by Shenron

Next to the engine, the most important part of a car is the suspension system. Rightly so, because it is in fact the harbinger of a good ride. The suspension system functions to limit the impact of a particular road condition to the passengers. The ease by which you drive the car, the rapid acceleration to sudden stops and tight cornering are all handled by a very efficient suspension system. So even when your car sports a powerful engine and looks really nice, it cannot be considered as a good buy after all if its suspension system sucks. Moreover, expect an uncomfortable ride along bumpy roads and potholes if your suspension system is not working properly.

One component of the suspension system is the chassis, which holds the cab of the car. There are a few European cars however, that use a unified body instead of a chassis in order to reduce total body weight. But for many muscle cars, pick-up trucks and SUVs, the chassis is widely used. Next comes the springs, which could either be coil, leaf or the torsion type. The springs support the weight of the vehicle, absorb and reduce excess energy obtained from road shocks, while maintaining tire contact with the road. Springs normally cannot dissipate the extra energy obtained from road bumps and potholes, so the vehicle will continue to bounce for every road defect encountered— until dispersed and when the car finally comes to a halt. This uncalled for action of the springs are then controlled by two types of shock absorbers, the air or the popular hydraulic. These two make up the heart of the suspension system. Should one of these malfunction, passengers will surely experience a bumpy ride. Another essential component of the suspension system is the anti-sway bar. The bar shifts the movement of the wheels and stabilizes the car especially when driving at high speeds.

The tires and the steering wheel are likewise components of the suspension system. Manufacturer specified tires should always be used and car owners should always keep in mind to maintain correct tire pressure. Power steering on the other hand is standard for all vehicles that keep the engine running, either while speeding along the highway or cornering the nearest intersection.

When buying a new car always insist on a thorough test drive and if possible try it on rough roads to assess the capability and condition of the suspension system. Remember that the key to a good car is its suspension system.

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