Mudflaps....what happened to them?!

[acf8181]

From what i remember pretty much every 80's (and early 90's) car had them and now none do. Ok, they're not very aesthetically pleasing but having spent a lot of the xmas period driving on wet motorways they definately help. Had a few instances of older cars with them being in front of me and the reduction in spray was huge! Weirdly also, it seemed of the newer cars the so called 'prestige' cars like audi's created much more spray (obv due to their height 4x4's were horrific as well).

Now i'm not a safety crusader usually, but surely this simple idea is a much more cost affective solution than stupid amounts of driver aids?!

Anyone else think this?

[anonymous-user]

I think mudflaps were around on production cars due to the popularity of WRC; they were a 'go-faster' item.

Now we have go-faster daylight running lights.

[Fleckers]

new had any fitted to any of my cars and I have been driving since mid 80 with cars from 50's, 60's 70's 80' 90' 00's

they do work on lorries

[mrmr96]

If people don't like how they look then car makers won't fit them, as it would cost them sales. Cutting down spray is for the benefit of "other people" in the main, and most people are selfish. "Why spoil the look of their car for the benefit of someone following in rain." Yes, I know it might be safer, and it will also save them having to clean their car more - BUT that's not what's running through their head when they're choosing a car to buy, which is why they are not fitted so much.

FWIW I've got a bit of a B road blaster, and I fitted big mudflaps because it kind of goes with the "rally look" but also reduces the amount of dirt and dints on my car as a result of crud from the edges of the roads being chucked up. So whilst they work on stuff like Evo's and Scoobs, they don't really work on modern 'jelly mould' cars.

[m0isty]

There was a set (badly) fitted to my car when I bought it. I took them off since they didn't seem to do much in the way of keeping mud off the car and I don't like the idea of dirt getting trapped against the paintwork causing rust etc. There must have been half a pound of mud and bits of road in the hollow lower cavity in each of the rear ones. So now my car looks better and has lost weight too!

[Puddenchucker]

How much aerodynamic drag does a set of mudflaps create?
If they create enough to increase the CO2 output for a car that would be one reason why manufacturers don't fit them as standard and are instead relegated to Dealer fit accessory status.

[Mr2Mike]

mrmr96 said:

If people don't like how they look then car makers won't fit them, as it would cost them sales. Cutting down spray is for the benefit of "other people" in the main, and most people are selfish. "Why spoil the look of their car for the benefit of someone following in rain." Yes, I know it might be safer, and it will also save them having to clean their car more - BUT that's not what's running through their head when they're choosing a car to buy, which is why they are not fitted so much.

I very much doubt anyone considers whether or not it's helpful to other road users, people are way to selfish in the main for that to be a consideration. It's purely aesthetics IMO, and the people that do fit them do so primarily to reduce gravel rash and mud splatters up the side of their car.

[slippery]

Mudflaps here, but it is a 4x4, sorry OP.

[Lynch91]

acf8181 said:

Weirdly also, it seemed of the newer cars the so called 'prestige' cars like audi's created much more spray (obv due to their height 4x4's were horrific as well).

I think you'll find this increase in spray is caused by the better tyres fitted to prestige cars. These tyres capable of clearing the water from underneath the tyre quicker and in larger volumes, therefore creating more spray.

[anonymous-user]

They look bloody awful on pretty much everything!

[Mr2Mike]

St John Smythe said:

They look bloody awful on pretty much everything!

Much like bonnet bras, but it doesn't stop people fitting them!

[Leins]

I like them on my Touring. Try to steer clear of mud if I can help it though

[telecat]

They were fitted to my Cruze and I would have asked for them if they hadn't. They do tend to be smaller than they used to be but I do find they protect the sills from the Mud I tend to find myself in on a weekend.

Edited by telecat on Tuesday 1st January 15:25

[rob1234]

Look ok on some cars, if a bit rallying-try-hard...:

[paranha]

I was on the first longish drive in my New Silver runabout Picanto, in pouring rain and mud on country roads.Stopped for gas, and walked back towards rear to notice the rear apron and lower part of hatch door covered in mud spray.

Pair of Kia flaps ------Job done.less washing

[Vipers]

My 2002 Volvo S80 has them, never noticed until I just looked out of the window, not a mud flap in sight on any cars outside.

[EDLT]

Most cars come with mud flaps already, just not the WRC-style fashion items.

Or hurr durr everyone but me is selfish broken britain.

[tali1]

EDLT said:

Most cars come with mud flaps already, just not the WRC-style fashion items.

Mmmm ... i really don't think they do
I remember Toyota in 80s had mudflaps standard across most of the range -which was rare-ish as i don't think others did it

Edited by tali1 on Tuesday 1st January 15:45

[Johnnytheboy]

Put some very 'functional' ones on my Focus as it kicks a lot of debris up from the front wheels to the extent that the Paintshield on the sills was getting a beating. You can just about see on this pic.



Or you would be able to if the upload an image link had worked properly....

Edited by Johnnytheboy on Tuesday 1st January 15:56

[acf8181]

slippery said:

Mudflaps here, but it is a 4x4, sorry OP.

I salute you....and i really dont think it looks bad at all (same with most others posted in the thread)