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Why is the front spoiler so low to the ground

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by shrek, Oct 5, 2018.

  1. shrek

    shrek New Member

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    This is so annoying!!!!!

    Hit something on the road today.
    this ripped a tear into the underpanel of the motor today.
    Is this just me???
     
  2. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    Yeah, ground clearance is really low. You have to be careful of speed bumps, dips like entrances to a parking lot, and stuff in the roadway.
     
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  3. The Professor

    The Professor Senior Member

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    Speaking of low ground clearance... I'll need to drive down a very rough track, with huge potholes and tyre trenches in it (usually used by farm vehicles). Say if the middle of your car does end up hitting a bump sticking up... how study is that plastic cover that covers the entire bottom of the car? I'd rather it hit that than rip off my exhaust or something... Anyone with any experience of this?
     
  4. MichelleStone

    MichelleStone Senior Member

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    It's all part of reducing wind resistance.
     
  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    No, it's not really that low. It's higher than my last car (2010 Ford Fiesta), particularly the approach angle to a driveway.

    Since the 1910s, cars have been getting progressively lower - and we don't want to go back to this.
    upload_2018-10-6_8-13-56.png
     
  6. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    lots of repair work for toyota dealers;)
     
  8. Tyfly

    Tyfly Member

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    You’re definitely not the only one. I’ve steadily lost ground clearance over the years.

    Had an Outback with 7 inches.

    Legacy with 6 inches.

    Now my Prius with 5 inches.

    It stinks. My front bumper lip is scratched up and I’m actually trying to be careful. Just part of it I guess. All I can say is go slow and enter driveways at an angle.
     
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  9. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    No, you are not alone. I've heard two very loud bangs under my Prius. And the multiple minor scrapes when going through a dip, or up a driveway.
     
    #9 Starship16, Oct 6, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2018
  10. J Kyte

    J Kyte Junior Member

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    I have a 2016. We have a lot of higher-than-standard curbs and heaved driveway entrances here in Nova Scotia. As a result, the bottom of the front clip and the front-most pan under the engine have some pretty serious scrapes and kinks in them. I'm pretty disappointed, but wary of fixing them as the parking lot entrances and whatnot that have done the damage probably won't be fixed any time soon.
     
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  11. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    That is the dilemma. take the time and money to repair the damage - knowing that there is almost no way to avoid re-damaging the car. It's an endless cycle.
     
  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Dealers need find some way of getting service profits from hybrids.
     
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  13. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    When it finally breaks, I don't think I will repair it. I will probably just change vehicles. I'm ready for something that is higher, and has easier access for a taller person. The new 2019 RAV4 Hybrid looks interesting. I was also looking at the Mazda CX-5 like Mendel has. Nice vehicle. The Prius is great, but I gotta start thinking of what's better for the old body. And I'm tired of all the scrapes with the Prius.

    No ground-clearance issues here:

    IMG_0496.PNG
     
  14. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Yup! .....just think "Nascar" .....
     
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  15. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    but NASCAR vehicles live in a world without speedbumps and curbs...
     
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  16. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Just think.... "RAV4 Hybrid." :D


    IMG_1247.jpg IMG_1250.jpg
     
    #16 Starship16, Oct 7, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2018
  17. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I hate driving at night because by the time you see something is the road it is usually too late. With it getting dark earlier and the coming time change it will get worse.
     
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  18. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    That, and all the nuts on the road. At least in my area. But sometimes I fail to see the potholes or dips even in the day time. My Prius has taken a beating.
     
  19. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    "Front spoilers, found beneath the bumper, are mainly used to decrease the amount of air going underneath the vehicle to reduce the drag coefficient and lift."" - Wikipedia Spoiler (car) - Wikipedia
     
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  20. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    TOYOTAs are getting uglier by the month - that's horrific.