What is the purpose of the "flaps" that are installed in front of each wheel well? They hang really low and sometimes no matter how careful I am the front pair touch the ground when I pull out of my driveway. I was thinking about trimming them by an inch or so. Bad idea?

I can't help but think they would make more sense if they were installed in the back of each wheel well. Then they would be acting as splash guards but they certainly aren't serving that purpose in the front of each wheel. Any ideas?

 

Aero purpose. Bad idea to trim them.

 

I'm very aware of these flaps. they were the primary reason why I didnt move forward on specific house. The entry to the driveway was to high.
Do they channel air to the brakes?

 

I am reshaping mine, one hard corner at a time

 

Those flaps prevent lift under the car. I would not mess with them.

 

Actually if you rreally look and study those front flaps the funnel air to the brakes.

 

Yeah, I guess my driveway will eventually trim them for me. The thing is my driveway isn't sloped very steeply at all. I feel really sorry for those that are, especially if you opted for a front end aero kit.

I'm not an areodynamics engineer (and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night either ) but I was thinking maybe their purpose is to channel air around the wheel wells? I remember reading somewhere that cars can build up air pressure in the wheel wells at really high speeds and that such a build up is undesireable (although I'm not exaxctly sure why?)

 

I use them like curb feelers.

 

Just for some clarification, are saying the flaps are the primary reason why you didn't move forward on a specific house as in "physically" move forward or do you mean move forward as in purchasing?

Cuz if it's the latter....

 

forward as in buying the home. It was a townhome complex w/ an underground garage. The entry to the ramp was way too high (was told to prevent water flowing down the ramp). I tested it w/ the m5 and sure enuff it touched, barely. I just wouldnt have felt comfortable.

 

They improve the aerodynamics of the car. These also came on our MB E320.

 

These flaps are for brake cooling. The funnel air into the rear of the front brakes.

 

I've been in this situation, both personally and with clients (I sell residential real estate in Dallas). It's especially frustrating in the situations where the original builder clearly could've done something to reduce the grade without having any negative effects on drainage, etc. My former 2006 C2S was lowered and was bitter enemies with my office parking garage. Same goes for garages being built so narrow and shallow with half of the people around here driving big SUVs.

 

Correct.

I also think they serve a dual purpose, perhaps unintended. They also prevent water from "pushing" out in front of, or onto the hood/windshield, of the car.