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Side Skirts in Cars: Purpose, Benefits, and Installation Guide

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The side skirt of a car consists of special aerodynamic panels that remain attached to the edge present below in the body of a four-wheeler. The typical design of the skirt on a car runs from the front to the back wheels. They are installed not only for aesthetics but also to serve practical functional purposes.

The chief function of side skirts is streamlining the airflow along the side of the vehicle. It effectively reduces the drag and improves stability, especially at higher sides.

From an aesthetic point of view, the vehicle receives the appearance of being sporty and sleek, making it appear a bit lower. It effectively enhances the overall visual and aesthetic appeal of the vehicle concerned.

Benefits of car side skirts

The side skirts in cars prove to be really advantageous and offer multiple benefits. Some of the most highlighting benefits of skirt in a car include the following:

1. Enhanced aerodynamics:

The auto side skirts present in a vehicle essentially streamline the airflow along the sides of the vehicle. It is effectively noted for drag reduction and enhances the entire performance, particularly while undertaking high speeds.

2. Improved stability:

The side skirts in cars eventually aid in reducing turbulence beneath the vehicle. This improves handling and stability, especially during highway speedy driving and cornering.

3. Sleek appearance:

The side skirts present in vehicles add an aggressive and sporty look, effectively improvising the overall visual aesthetic and allowing an enhanced appearance.

4. Debris protection:

The side skirts in cars act as a barrier. They prevent gravel, rocks, and other road debris from damaging the body of the vehicle. This effectively preserves the exterior look of the car.

5. Heat dissipation:

The vehicle side skirts are specially designed for successful heat dissipation that gets generated by the exhaust system of the vehicle. This effectively reduces the risk of overheating issues of the vehicle engine and improves the overall engine performance.

6. Fuel efficiency:

The side skirts in cars essentially contribute to enhanced fuel efficiency by maintaining an economical approach. It reduces the aerodynamic drag, particularly at enhanced highway speeds.

7. Improved resale value:

Well-maintained side skirts in vehicles can improve the resale value since they preserve the exterior of the vehicle and add to the visual appeal.

However, despite so many benefits of side skirts, there are certain disadvantages too. While purchasing any vehicle with side skirts, you must also consider the following aspects:

1. Ground clearance:

The side skirts lower the ride height of the vehicle and can cause bottoming out or scraping out the speed bumps, rough terrains, or driveways, which potentially causes damage either to the panels or several other components.

2. Damage prone:

Because of such a lowered positioning style, the side skirts become more prone to scratches scrapes, and other impacts from road debris. This can eventually cause dents and cracks, leading to the necessity of expensive replacements and repairs.

3. Additional weight:

Auto side skirt installation enhances the overall weight of the car, even if it is marginal. This added mass may affect the overall performance of the vehicle including handling and fuel efficiency. This proves to be very critical when weight is a concerning issue in any vehicle.

4. Installation costs and maintenance:

Installing side skirts by professional experts might prove to be expensive. Regular maintenance of side skirts can prove to be expensive which includes regular cleaning, occasional repairs, etc. This enhances the overall cost of owning the vehicle.

5. Limited availability:

The side skirts in cars may not always be available for every make and model of vehicle. This limits the options for customisation and often needs custom modification and fabrication.

How do you install side skirts in a car?

You need to follow 7 specific steps to install side skirts in cars. These 7 steps are as follows:

1. Preparation:

It begins with a thorough cleaning of the underside of the concerned vehicle along with the mounting side. These specific areas need cleaning as the side skirts will be attached.

2. Positioning:

After the cleaning is done, you have to align the side skirts very carefully along with the lower edges of the body of the vehicle. However, you must ensure that the skirts are well-positioned and symmetrical.

3. Attachment:

You can attach the side skirts to cars by using specific screws, clips or strong adhesives. To ensure a secured attachment, you must follow the instructions of the concerned manufacturer as all attachment methods might not the equally suitable for all vehicle makes and models.

4. Securing:

Once you have ensured the correct position of the side skirts using the most suitable attachment method, you must secure it well. However, you must make sure that these side skirts remain securely attached to the body of the vehicle.

5. Alignment:

To ensure that the newly installed side skirts are properly flush against the vehicle’s body, cross-check the alignment. Ideally, these side skirts must be properly aligned with the contours.

6. Finishing touches:

Once these side skirts are secured, closely inspect them well to detect any unevenness or gaps, especially along the edges. If there is any such gap, use sealants or trim pieces to fill them.

7. Post-installation checks:

After installation, take the vehicle out for a test ride, inspecting that the side skirts are in no way interfering with the general operation of the vehicle while maintaining secure attachment.

Conclusion

The side skirts in cars maintain aestheticism and functionality, through performance enhancement and appealing appearance. It ensures improved aerodynamics, protection, stability, etc. However, you must consider the installation costs and ground clearance issues before installing them. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle and the material of the side skirts, the installation costs may range between INR 5000 and INR 25000. Original Equipment Manufacturer side skirts may be even pricier because of their quality and compatibility with specific car makes.

You must note that whether your vehicle possesses side skirts or not, it must maintain a valid car insurance policy. It can be a basic third-party car insurance policy or an elaborate comprehensive car insurance plan.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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