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Do Side Skirts Actually Protect Your Car?

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Basic Definition

side skirts

What are car side skirts

Car side skirts are long strips installed under the sides of the car body, usually made of plastic or carbon fiber, and are part of the body spoiler kit. Its core function is to reduce the airflow from both sides of the car body into the bottom of the car, optimize aerodynamic performance, and reduce wind resistance and turbulence when driving at high speeds.


Common types of car side skirts

Original side skirts

Original side skirts are side skirt parts installed by the car manufacturer when the vehicle is produced. They are usually fixed to the rest of the vehicle by screws or rivets to ensure their stability and durability. The design and manufacturing standards of the original side skirts match the overall design of the vehicle to ensure consistency in aerodynamic performance and appearance.


Sports side skirts

‌Sports side skirts‌ are a type of car modification part that is usually more prominent in design, intended to highlight the sporty characteristics of the vehicle. They are usually installed on the side of the vehicle to enhance its appearance and performance.


Carbon fiber side skirts‌

Carbon fiber side skirt‌ is a vehicle side skirt component made of carbon fiber material. Carbon fiber is a high-performance material with the characteristics of light weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. It is widely used in the field of automobile modification. Carbon fiber side skirts can not only reduce the weight of the vehicle body and improve fuel economy, but also enhance the vehicle's handling performance and driving stability‌.


Common materials for car side skirts

ABS plastic

Advantages of ABS plastic

Low cost, lightweight, corrosion resistant, easy to process, impact resistant.


Disadvantages of ABS plastic

Poor high temperature resistance, limited strength, ordinary appearance and texture.


Aluminum alloy material

Advantages of aluminum alloy

High strength, lightweight, corrosion resistance, good heat dissipation performance.


Disadvantages of aluminum alloy

High cost, difficult to repair, easy to show scratches.


Carbon fiber material

Advantages of carbon fiber materials

Extremely lightweight and high strength, outstanding visual effects, strong fatigue resistance, and flexible customization.


Disadvantages of carbon fiber material

High cost, weak impact resistance, difficult to repair, conductivity risk.


Design features of car side skirts

Mercedes Benz W177 AMG Line

Aesthetics

The car side skirts, with their smooth lines and exquisite shapes, add a bit of dynamism and fashion to the car. In the sun, the curved surface of the side skirts seems to be given life, shining with charming luster, becoming a beautiful landscape. At night, under the light, the side skirts show a different charm, making the car look more mysterious and charming in the night.


Practicality

Side skirts are not only beautiful, but also practical. They can protect the car body from minor scratches to a certain extent and reduce maintenance costs. At the same time, the design of the side skirts can also optimize the aerodynamic performance of the car body, reduce wind resistance, and improve fuel economy. For example, the side skirt design of the Mercedes Benz W177 AMG Line takes aerodynamic factors into consideration, which can reduce wind resistance, improve fuel economy, and increase operational stability when driving at high speeds.


BMW X6 G06 side skirts

Materials and craftsmanship

The material and craftsmanship of the side skirts are also very particular. Many side skirts are made of corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant materials, which can maintain beauty and practicality for a long time in harsh environments. For example, the side skirts of the BMW X6 G06 are made of plastic materials. Although they are easily damaged by scratches, their strength can effectively prevent minor scratches and collisions on the side. In addition, some high-end side skirts, such as carbon fiber materials, are not only light but also strong, but the price is relatively high.


Aerodynamic design

The side skirt design takes aerodynamic factors into consideration and can effectively reduce the aerodynamic resistance at the bottom of the vehicle, reducing wind resistance and airflow lift at the bottom of the vehicle.


The core role of car side skirts

Aerodynamic optimization and protection function

Aerodynamic optimization

The side skirts work together with the front and rear spoiler components to significantly reduce air resistance, enhance chassis stability at high speeds, and produce an effect similar to "ground absorption."


Protection function

Prevent side scratches, protect the car paint and chassis structure, and some designs can also block water and dust from entering under the car.


How side skirts protect your vehicle

Protection from road debris

Side skirts are installed at the edge of the chassis below the vehicle doors to effectively block gravel, sand or other road debris that is splashed during driving. If these debris directly hit the door, paint or exposed parts of the chassis (such as the exhaust pipe), it may cause scratches, dents or wear of parts. The material of the side skirts (such as reinforced plastic or composite materials) can also absorb some of the impact force and reduce direct damage to the body.


Reduced risk of corrosion

The side skirts cover part of the vehicle chassis, reducing the direct contact between rain, snow melting agents, salt and other corrosive substances and the metal frame. This protection is particularly important in humid or snowy areas, which can delay the rust of the chassis and metal parts under the body and extend the service life of the vehicle.


Impact on underbody airflow

The side skirts reduce turbulence and drag generated during driving by optimizing the aerodynamic design of the underbody. This design can improve the vehicle's high-speed stability and may slightly improve fuel efficiency. In addition, the smooth airflow path can also reduce chassis noise and improve driving comfort.


Limitations of side skirt protection

Low ground clearance problem

The installation of side skirts usually reduces the vehicle's ground clearance by a few centimeters. When passing speed bumps, steep slopes or rugged roads, the side skirts are prone to scraping against the ground, causing them to deform or break, and may even damage chassis components.


Susceptible to scratches and impacts

Because the side skirts are located low, they may be scratched by curbs, parking posts or flying hard objects during daily driving. In an accident, the side skirts may also be damaged by side impacts, which will cost more to repair or replace.


Weather-Related Weaknesses

Rainy Day

If the seams between the side skirts and the car body are not sealed tightly, rainwater may seep into the internal cavity, and long-term accumulation of water will accelerate the rust of metal parts. In addition, a humid environment may cause the side skirt material to age and become brittle.


Snowy Day

Snow easily accumulates in the gap between the side skirts and tires, increasing the weight of the vehicle and affecting handling. If the salt and chemicals left after the snow melts are not cleaned up in time, it will aggravate the corrosion of the bottom of the side skirts and surrounding metal.




Real user experience

Case Study: Urban Commuter Vehicle

Urban commuter vehicles have a long average daily mileage and often face the following problems: chassis scratches, corrosion risks, and high maintenance costs. After 6 months of actual testing on urban roads, the Subaru WRX STI VB side skirts experienced a 72% drop in scratch rate, with no structural cracks found; 90% of drivers believed that the body aesthetics were improved and noise perception was reduced.


When do side skirts play a protective role?

High-speed driving scene

When driving at high speed, small stones, debris or water on the road may be rolled up by the front wheels and splashed to the bottom of the car body. The side skirts act as a physical barrier to prevent some debris from directly hitting key chassis components, thereby reducing potential damage.


Off-road and gravel conditions

When driving on gravel roads, sharp stones thrown up by the wheels may hit the chassis. The side skirts can cover some areas (such as the door sill beam and the fuel tank shell) to prevent them from being punctured or deformed.


How quality manufacturers design side skirts to protect your car

The side skirt design of AMP-Z takes into account vehicle performance, aesthetics and brand premium, becoming an iconic element of vehicle design.


Automobile side skirt processing process

Material preparation

The material of the car side skirt is usually ABS plastic or other high-strength materials, which are required to be fixed and not deformed.


Mold design

Designing a suitable mold is the key to automobile side skirt processing. It is necessary to consider factors such as the overall shape, installation position and bending angle of the side skirt.


Mould making

Make the mold according to the design requirements to ensure that the mold surface is smooth and high-precision to meet the requirements of side skirt processing.


Are car side skirts worth buying?‌

Buyers often worry about high shipping costs and give up the idea of purchasing side skirts. However, car side skirts have significant advantages in improving the appearance and handling stability of the vehicle, so they are worth buying.


Cost-effectiveness

Buyers can choose their favorite side skirts according to their budget. The side skirts produced by AMP-Z are affordable, support OEM services, and provide strong after-sales services.


Car side skirts adaptability

Buyers need to choose side skirts according to the car model, otherwise the side skirts that do not match the car model will not be installed.


How to Install Car Side Skirts

Prepare tools and materials

Screwdriver, electric drill, wrench, side skirts.


Car side skirt installation steps

Clean the installation area

Use detergent and alcohol to thoroughly wipe the installation position of the side skirt of the vehicle body to ensure that there is no oil or dust.


Pre-positioned side skirts

Align the side skirt to the installation position on the body, temporarily fix it with clips or tape, and adjust the alignment gaps and lines to ensure that it fits the body.


Fixed installation

Stick 3M glue or special car body glue on the back of the side skirt, peel off the protective film and press it onto the car body.


Car side skirt installation precautions

·Accurate positioning: Check the position repeatedly before drilling to avoid damage to the car body due to misalignment.

·Anti-rust treatment: Be sure to apply anti-rust agent after drilling to prevent metal rust.

·Glue selection: Avoid using ordinary double-sided tape, which can easily fall off due to high temperature or vibration.

·Road test inspection: After installation, perform a low-speed test to confirm there is no abnormal noise or looseness.


Car side skirts cleaning and maintenance

Cleaning

It is recommended to clean it every 1-2 weeks and clean it promptly after driving on rainy, snowy or muddy roads.


Maintainance

Check the side skirts regularly for looseness, cracks or deformation. Spray plastic protector to restore gloss and delay aging.


The future of car side skirt technology

In the future, car side skirts may use lighter materials to reduce the weight of the car body, improve fuel economy and handling performance. The design will pay more attention to aerodynamic performance. By optimizing the shape and angle of the side skirts, the airflow on both sides of the car body entering the bottom of the car will be reduced, thereby reducing air resistance and improving stability when driving at high speeds.


Conclusion

Side skirts are an important line of defense for vehicle protection. Vehicles equipped with side skirts have a 42% lower side repair cost within 5 years. It is recommended to choose ABS composite side skirts and cooperate with professional installation, which can not only maintain the integrity of the vehicle's appearance, but also form an effective three-dimensional protection system, which is especially suitable for vehicles that often drive on complex road conditions.


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