Wind Deflectors - Good Or Pointless?
Discussion
I've been looking at a set of wind deflectors to fit my Ford Kuga.....always feel like I need to apologise for SUV ownership here on PH!
It's been said that they reduce wind noise (of which I hear a bit), and reduce glare slightly - of which I'm very sensitive to.
Anybody got any experience of these? Not sure if they're actually a good idea, or a lot of snake oil!
Over to the experts.....
It's been said that they reduce wind noise (of which I hear a bit), and reduce glare slightly - of which I'm very sensitive to.
Anybody got any experience of these? Not sure if they're actually a good idea, or a lot of snake oil!
Over to the experts.....
I don't think wind deflectors will have any benefit while the windows are closed.
IMO the benefit is that they raise the max speed at which it's comfortable to have a window open, in terms of noise/buffeting. Possibly from around 45mph to around 65mph (which may be one reason they're popular in Japan where most motorways have a 100km/h limit).
So if your problem is 'I like driving with a window open, but it gets too noisy / blowy at A-road speeds', then a set of wind deflectors may be a good answer. However I doubt they'll help reduce noise with windows shut. They might have a slight benefit when the sun is low and to the side I guess in terms of glare; however IMHO putting the sun visor off to the side is probably a more effective remedy in such a situation, as it doesn't tend to occur that often.
IMO the benefit is that they raise the max speed at which it's comfortable to have a window open, in terms of noise/buffeting. Possibly from around 45mph to around 65mph (which may be one reason they're popular in Japan where most motorways have a 100km/h limit).
So if your problem is 'I like driving with a window open, but it gets too noisy / blowy at A-road speeds', then a set of wind deflectors may be a good answer. However I doubt they'll help reduce noise with windows shut. They might have a slight benefit when the sun is low and to the side I guess in terms of glare; however IMHO putting the sun visor off to the side is probably a more effective remedy in such a situation, as it doesn't tend to occur that often.
They were good on the Transporter I had. Mainly because I could leave the window partially open when stationary in the rain for ventilation without getting wet.
I found they did increase the apparent thickness of the A pillar which had to be taken into account, otherwise no real difference.
I found they did increase the apparent thickness of the A pillar which had to be taken into account, otherwise no real difference.
I tried them on an Outlander PHEV so I could crack open the windows without rain getting in (the aircon seemed to drain the small battery quite fast).
I found the deflectors created a lot more wind noise (windows open or closed).
Took them off after a while as the downside of the noise far outweighed any benefit from keeping rain out of a slightly open window.
I found the deflectors created a lot more wind noise (windows open or closed).
Took them off after a while as the downside of the noise far outweighed any benefit from keeping rain out of a slightly open window.
Super Sonic said:
They do not reduce wind noise, they make it worse. As for reducing glare, how often do you look through them? They are good forq having the windows slightly in the rain,improving ventilation if your car is prone to foggy windows you fancy a fag without getting wet.
FTFY. 
They are definitely noisier though.
I've got them on my Jeep for one reason only - I like having fresh air even when it's raining.
They do not decrease wind noise, its still noisy. What they do is stop the rain coming in if you have the window down a few inches.
They do reduce glare (assuming they are tinted) but only when you're looking through them, and they're only a few inches wide so it really makes no difference at all.
As to the appearance / assumptions etc - I care not one iota what other people may think - the jeep is also covered in stickers for a very similar reason - I like them
TBH I'd no idea wind deflectors were even ripe for discussion or contention until I read it (again and again) on PH....which IMHO sadly says more about a lot of PH posters' snobbery and judgementalism than it does about the item in question.
They do not decrease wind noise, its still noisy. What they do is stop the rain coming in if you have the window down a few inches.
They do reduce glare (assuming they are tinted) but only when you're looking through them, and they're only a few inches wide so it really makes no difference at all.
As to the appearance / assumptions etc - I care not one iota what other people may think - the jeep is also covered in stickers for a very similar reason - I like them
TBH I'd no idea wind deflectors were even ripe for discussion or contention until I read it (again and again) on PH....which IMHO sadly says more about a lot of PH posters' snobbery and judgementalism than it does about the item in question.
I always wonder what they do to the aerodynamics of the car; they'll add more drag for sure but I was thinking more about the stabilising effect those little "ears" had on the early Sierra vs what massive great wind deflectors might do to airflow over a car. Small things can make a big difference to stability.
redguy said:
I was hoping for a decrease in glare.....given that there seemingly isn't, and that I don't tend to drive with an open window, can't see a benefit for me!
They can be beneficial in reducing glare depending on the shape of the window / design of the deflector.If you can get some cheap Heko wind deflectors, they're usually only £30 or so - Easy enough to pop them in, see how you get on with them - If you don't like them pop them out again and flog them on the FB owners group.
I had them fitted to an old Saab 9-3 that I used for about 6 months. The main purpose was to let the questionable diesel smell out of the cabin during the rainy days. To be fair it did work for that purpose although you wouldn't bother on the motorway.
I've not fitted another set to a car though and that was about 5 years ago. I don't think they look great but they're not entirely necessary either.
I've not fitted another set to a car though and that was about 5 years ago. I don't think they look great but they're not entirely necessary either.
JimSuperSix said:
TBH I'd no idea wind deflectors were even ripe for discussion or contention until I read it (again and again) on PH....which IMHO sadly says more about a lot of PH posters' snobbery and judgementalism than it does about the item in question.
I think you're onto something here.After all I think wind deflectors are pointless and look stupid, and I am both judgemental and a snob.
samoht said:
I don't think wind deflectors will have any benefit while the windows are closed.
IMO the benefit is that they raise the max speed at which it's comfortable to have a window open, in terms of noise/buffeting. Possibly from around 45mph to around 65mph (which may be one reason they're popular in Japan where most motorways have a 100km/h limit).
IMO the benefit is that they raise the max speed at which it's comfortable to have a window open, in terms of noise/buffeting. Possibly from around 45mph to around 65mph (which may be one reason they're popular in Japan where most motorways have a 100km/h limit).
There was a set on the JDM Stagea I had; they made exceeding 60mph very noisy compared to a Stagea without them; as it had a very good A/C unit driving at speed with the windows open was a bit of a niche activity. I looked at removing them but it appeared to be a massive arse of a job, so they stayed on.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff