Does the rear spoiler do anything?
- Thread starter SurferUK
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SurferUK
Member
That's a really good point, I forgot about that. I had a little van years ago with a totally flat back and that used to get dirty quickly.
Most suvs going back 20 years or so have some sort of tailgate spoiler,now they are not sports cars,so it's not for down force.
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ArthurKotb
Member
I think that's what the 'wing' is for, to help keep the rear glass from getting dirty. I ordered my 2004 SE without it, didn't like the look. I'm glad now because it's easier to get the kayak onto the roof rack. I've not had a problem with the rear window getting too dirty. I think I've used the rear washer and wiper exactly once since I've owned it.
SurferUK
Member
Now you mention it I wonder if, with the opening rear window, it is to help stop exhaust getting drawn back in.
SurferUK
Member
That what I was thinking but I just wondered if it did anything at all in that regard. I won't be taking mine to the Nurburgring regardless. :biggrin1:
i think it has something to do with fuel efficiency. it does not create suction in the back. have you seen the semi truck in the back of the trailer with some flaps or something? same thing i guess.
SurferUK
Member
That's also a good point. It needs all the help it can get in that department. :bounce:
ArthurKotb
Member
I didn't buy mine for the gas mileage.
I bought it to tow my boat and travel trailer safely. It does both quite well; very pleased.
ArthurKotb
Member
Many years ago station wagons had the roll down rear window, like some Toyotas do now. At that time the exhaust exited out the pipe behind a rear wheel. Some had a right angle bend, some had a 45° bend, but they were pretty much in line with the center of the tire. The idea was to get the exhaust out where the wind would carry it away. In those days hardly any cars had A/C so the rear window was down in the summer almost constantly. So I guess the engineers figured out a way to keep everyone from passing out.
I replaced the 2 rear window gaskets on my 2004 because even with the window up (and no spoiler) I could smell sulfur when I accelerated hard; much better now.
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
If you have snow, it seems like it limits the amount that collects on the rear window. The Cherokee I used to have with no spoiler collected lots of snow and dirt. The 4runner not near as much so I assume it must keep the air from swirling back against the glass.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Here’s a response from [MENTION=5092]OUTRNNR[/MENTION] in a quite spirited 2006 spoiler discussion:
==
Here we go again with this retarded spoiler talk, I guess everytime someone brings it up everyone has to sound off, so here I go again...
The redesigned rear spoiler ('05+) is functional. It is designed to deflect air on to the rear window and liftgate to do a couple different things.
1) Since the rear of the 4runner is relatively vertical, there happens to be alot of turbulence directly behind the vehicle. This turbulence picks up road dust/mist and plasters it to the rear of the liftgate and window which can obstruct the view through the rear window in certain conditions like driving down a muddy dirt road that is normally very dusty when dry (lots of mud mist from road, fine grain dirt). As a result of this, it uses deflected air to keep the rear window clear of water/dust/mud without needing to use the rear wiper (speeds greater than 20 mph). This is especially useful when driving in snowy/muddy/dirty conditions because unless you want the rear window really clean, it makes it possbile to see out the rear window regardless of the weather.
2) Some have speculated that another function is to reduce the exhaust fumes from entering the rear window. From my experience, this has proven to be somewhat unsuccessful, but I've never driven a 4th gen without a spoiler, so I wouldn't know.
3) The rear spoiler adds a larger, brighter LED 3rd brakelight.
As for looks, everyone has a different opinion so whatever. I think it looks good. the new spoilers do look a bit more "chunky" because of the hump, but anyone who doesn't know there is a difference, wouldn't notice one style from the other.
As for windtunnel testing, I can guarantee you the spoiler was windtested and optimized. Yeah, its not a race car, but Toyota does care about minimizing drag and increasing fuel economy so I'm sure they wouldn't have just slapped something on there without seeing how its drag profile looked in a wind tunnel, no way. As for actually reducing drag (Mythbusters tailgate theory), I'd be interested to see if it acutally worked.
Just for the record, the spoiler does come standard in CO, if you don't want it, it has to be removed because all 4Runners have them.
My >.02 cents. I've had enough of these spoiler arguments, don't you agree Koz?
==
FWIW, I agree with these points based on my experience with my spoilered 4R and the unspoilered Xterra I drove previously.
==
Here we go again with this retarded spoiler talk, I guess everytime someone brings it up everyone has to sound off, so here I go again...
The redesigned rear spoiler ('05+) is functional. It is designed to deflect air on to the rear window and liftgate to do a couple different things.
1) Since the rear of the 4runner is relatively vertical, there happens to be alot of turbulence directly behind the vehicle. This turbulence picks up road dust/mist and plasters it to the rear of the liftgate and window which can obstruct the view through the rear window in certain conditions like driving down a muddy dirt road that is normally very dusty when dry (lots of mud mist from road, fine grain dirt). As a result of this, it uses deflected air to keep the rear window clear of water/dust/mud without needing to use the rear wiper (speeds greater than 20 mph). This is especially useful when driving in snowy/muddy/dirty conditions because unless you want the rear window really clean, it makes it possbile to see out the rear window regardless of the weather.
2) Some have speculated that another function is to reduce the exhaust fumes from entering the rear window. From my experience, this has proven to be somewhat unsuccessful, but I've never driven a 4th gen without a spoiler, so I wouldn't know.
3) The rear spoiler adds a larger, brighter LED 3rd brakelight.
As for looks, everyone has a different opinion so whatever. I think it looks good. the new spoilers do look a bit more "chunky" because of the hump, but anyone who doesn't know there is a difference, wouldn't notice one style from the other.
As for windtunnel testing, I can guarantee you the spoiler was windtested and optimized. Yeah, its not a race car, but Toyota does care about minimizing drag and increasing fuel economy so I'm sure they wouldn't have just slapped something on there without seeing how its drag profile looked in a wind tunnel, no way. As for actually reducing drag (Mythbusters tailgate theory), I'd be interested to see if it acutally worked.
Just for the record, the spoiler does come standard in CO, if you don't want it, it has to be removed because all 4Runners have them.
My >.02 cents. I've had enough of these spoiler arguments, don't you agree Koz?
==
FWIW, I agree with these points based on my experience with my spoilered 4R and the unspoilered Xterra I drove previously.
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SurferUK
Member
Well I think that just about covers everything. :biggrin1:
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
:rofl:
Huh. We have an '03 and an '09 and you're right, the spoiler is a slightly different shape. More bulbous on the later car. Never noticed that!
One additional function, I think, might be to help keep rain out of the rear door glass slot. It's a pretty loose fit where it "wipes" the window at the bottom. The spoiler keeps things somewhat dry there.
One additional function, I think, might be to help keep rain out of the rear door glass slot. It's a pretty loose fit where it "wipes" the window at the bottom. The spoiler keeps things somewhat dry there.
