That way, the fuel economy loss shouldn’t be too big (and it might actually deflect bugs too).HOW DO BUG DEFLECTORS AND HOOD PROTECTORS WORK?īug deflectors and hood protectors are viewed as some of the most underrated vehicle accessories out there. The trick is to invest in a good quality deflector. can all save gas too.īut mostly, bug deflectors are going to cost you a little gas.
BUG DEFLECTOR INSTALL
Deciding not to install a lift kit, over-sized wheels and tires, etc. Installing running boards on your truck will help the air flow around it more efficiently. Making sure your tires are properly inflated can increase gas mileage too. Low rolling resistance tires for example, can boost fuel economy 2-3%.
BUG DEFLECTOR DRIVERS
The speed in which the vehicle is traveling. Aerodynamic drag isn’t a sizable concern until speeds reach 45mph or so, which means drivers that don’t spend a lot of time on the highway (or who never drive faster than 55mph) won’t notice much of a change in fuel economy.This, in turn, will make your vehicle less fuel efficient…but how much fuel efficiency sacrifice are we talking about? The answer depends on: This is why drafting is so effective in NASCAR racing…the spoiler on the back of the lead vehicle creates a small area of undisturbed air immediately behind, which a trailing car can use to gain a small speed edge.īut however well a deflector does or doesn’t work, it usually increases drag compared to a truck without a deflector. The air is routed in one direction rather than allowed to tumble behind the vehicle. Spoilers are short and stubby deflectors that minimize drag by “spoiling” the turbulence that usually forms behind a fast-moving vehicle. NOTE: Many believe that a rear spoiler is intended to cause downforce, but this isn’t the case. Instead of flowing smoothly across the hood and over the windshield like the designers intended it to (see picture above), a bug deflector tries to “re-route” airflow so that it bypasses your windshield and goes over the roof of your truck instead. While this could technically work (it’s the basic aerodynamic concept behind a rear spoiler, after all), it’s not always effective (but we’ll get to that later). But Not a Lot.īug deflectors disrupt the air flowing over the hood of your truck.
Others swear that bug deflectors have no impact on gas mileage and do a great job of lessening bug impacts on the windshield.ĭo Bug Shields Hurt Gas Mileage? Yes. Many people swear that they don’t do what they advertise and that the only purpose they serve is to increase your fuel usage.