What is the rear fender of a car?
The rear wheel arch of a car refers to a decorative or functional component installed above the rear wheels, often also called the wheel arch cover or wheel arch hood. It is located on the outer side between the body and the wheels, mainly made of plastic, metal, or composite materials, and has a semi-circular or arc-shaped structure, covering the wheel arch (wiper panel).
Its core functions include:
- Protection: Preventing dirt, stones, sand, and other debris splashed by the wheels during driving from causing scratches or corrosion to the vehicle's side, especially in poor road conditions, it can effectively protect the wheel arch area.
- Aesthetic enhancement: Through design, it enhances the visual effect of the vehicle, making the appearance more sporty or personalized, commonly seen in SUVs or modified models.
- Aerodynamic optimization: Some high-performance models' wheel arches can assist in guiding airflow, reducing air resistance, and improving stability at high speeds.
In terms of materials, modern wheel arches mostly use weather-resistant engineering plastics, and some models or modified parts may use stainless steel or steel-plastic composite materials. The installation method is usually a snap-on or adhesive type, making it easy to replace.
It should be noted that the wheel arch is not a necessary component for the vehicle. Whether to install it depends on actual needs. If driving on bumpy or muddy roads frequently, installing a wheel arch can enhance protection; however, during high-speed driving, non-original design wheel arches may increase noise from the wind or affect airflow, and one needs to weigh the pros and cons.
The rear wheel arch (also known as the wheel arch cover) is a component installed above the wheels, between the body and the wheels, similar to the front wheel arch. Its functions include protection, aesthetics, and aerodynamic optimization, covering multiple aspects.
- Protecting the vehicle and wheels: The rear wheel arch can effectively prevent debris such as stones, mud, and ice from splashing during driving, reducing impacts and wear on the lower edge of the door, wiper panel, and wheel arch, especially on unpaved roads or in rainy and snowy weather, significantly reducing the risk of side damage to the vehicle.
- Enhancing vehicle aesthetics: The rear wheel arch can increase the visual width of the vehicle, creating a wider, more rugged, or sporty visual effect. Different materials (such as blackened plastic, carbon fiber) and design styles can be adapted to off-road, performance, or personalized modification needs, enhancing the vehicle's recognition.
- Optimizing aerodynamic performance: Modern wheel arches adopt a streamlined design, helping to guide the turbulent airflow generated by tire rotation, reducing the drag coefficient at high speeds (professional tests show a reduction of 5%-8%), thereby improving driving stability and possibly indirectly reducing fuel consumption.
- Reducing cleaning burden: The structure of the wheel arch can guide mud and water downward, rather than spraying onto the side of the vehicle, and actual tests show that it can reduce the amount of mud adhering to the side of the vehicle by more than 70%, equivalent to reducing the frequency of washing the car by 2-3 times per month.
- Special scene adaptation: For SUVs or off-road vehicles, the rear wheel arch often uses thicker, anti-scuff-coated materials to cope with harsh road conditions such as rock scratches; while for performance cars, lightweight carbon fiber materials may be selected, balancing protection and aerodynamic optimization.
It should be noted that the wheel arch is not a necessary component for the vehicle. Its installation should be based on the vehicle usage scenario: for daily urban commuting, a basic protection type can be selected; for off-road or modification enthusiasts, professional-grade products are recommended. If not installed properly, it may affect drivability or safety, and in some regions, there are regulations on vehicle modifications, so it is recommended to choose compliant products.
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