Mud flaps rarely seen anymore

visual

Years ago it was common sight and most cars had them it served two purposes one it helped keep body of car clean and the second was it greatly reduced road spray when roads where wet. There was even a drive on to reduce spray from buses and lorries.

All of this seems to be abandoned now and we just live with the spray from car in front.

I can see there might a very slight drag on the efficiency of a car at speed but it would be very slight.

Is it a case that mud flaps cost a few cents extra so manufacturers don't bother fitting and public just can't be bothered or is there another reason mud flaps have almost disappeared from our roads

TallGlass

Very true, but if anything wheel spray keeps people back from your car so in that respect it is a safer.

tossy

The run the look/lines of a car.

punisher5112

They look terrible.

Having on the front helps stop as much tar coming up on bodywork but really on a car they don't cause less spray.

Trucks and busses do have fitted but all depends on type and how well fitted.

Trucks should have proper ones fitted with the brushes on the side to help dampen the spray.

Toyotafanboi

Years ago you used to see those generic flat ones on everything. Dealers would often put there logos on them and they were a tasty bit of free advertising. Those style flaps would look septic on any modern car.

Moulded/ contoured flaps are the way forward on modern cars, much less noticable than the flat plasticy ones. They are just as popular imo but they are much more subtle and slightly less effective.

visual

TallGlass wrote: »

Very true, but if anything wheel spray keeps people back from your car so in that respect it is a safer.

Yes it might keep car dirrectly behind back a little further but also if you are been over taken or want to overtake it's very difficult to see ahead.

With a lot of new roads been smoother the spray is like a fog, M50 only has to be wet to reduce visibility

JoeA3

Still see those dealer sponsored ones fitted to new Corollas today. Along with the tow bar and padre pio sticker to complete the look.

As said, they look brutal on anything fresh and serve virtually no purpose.

I put them on my corsa.
They look class.
In fact I'm selling it if you're interested?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vauxhall-corsa/12748226

visual

Never liked the generic one size fits all mud flaps they never looked good especially compared to contoured flaps specially made for specific car.

The manufacturers flaps often looked well even enhanced the cars look as well as providing a useful purpose.

I suppose the first purpose of keeping mud off the body of your own car is less needed with better roads but the second purpose of reducing spray to improve visibility for those behind was a good safety benefit. Although your relying on driver in front having them to benefit your self.

visual

BrownFinger wrote: »

I put them on my corsa.
They look class.
In fact I'm selling it if you're interested?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vauxhall-corsa/12748226

That's a cool little car wouldn't be my style but still it's cool looking and cheap.

Those flaps look like a rally type. More for function while it suits modified cars that are highlighting it's rally theme it would look like the generic flaps of old on a standard car

Giacomo McGubbin

There used to be a trend of putting scania mudflaps on to complete a feltspec

punisher5112

1994 rang. Anyone.

Special Circumstances

The deeper the cushion the sweeter the pushin, talking bout mud flaps.

vectra

I think it is down to cost.
When I bought the Passat I asked for moulded flaps to be fitted as stones and white paintwork dont really go together.
They quoted me €150,
I said forget that then.
Came home, went on ebay.co.uk
Found a UK VW dealer selling the exact same set of flaps. Deliverede to my door for €73,
Happy days,

JohnBoy26

JoeA3 wrote: »

Still see those dealer sponsored ones fitted to new Corollas today. Along with the tow bar and padre pio sticker to complete the look.

As said, they look brutal on anything fresh and serve virtually no purpose.

They reduce stone chips on the sills and on the lower part of the doors. Moulded genuine mudflaps look fine tbh

Guy:Incognito

How come no one wears piano ties anymore?

Noveight

Still commonly seen on cars that are ~10 years old, I don't know how many sets I've gone through on my '07 van :P

nd

They were on my 02 corolla. I think it looked alot worse without them.

JoeA3

nd wrote: »

They were on my 02 corolla. I think it looked alot worse without them.

You know it's bad when a set of flaps improves the looks.

savagethegoat

they look dreadful and trap mud and stuff, causing corrosion.

pred racer

I got them fitted to my car (white insignia) when I got it, they are the moulded ones. and tbh the car didnt look right without them.

Giacomo McGubbin

it entirely depends on the styling of the car, older cars look better with the cheaper generic types, newer cars look better with the rip off priced moulded types.

visual

savagethegoat wrote: »

they look dreadful and trap mud and stuff, causing corrosion.

You find the cars that rust will do it anyway and more so along stills without.

The only time I found flaps a disadvantage was in snow where the snow would pile up.

But without doubt the generic flaps that look like they have been cut from a rubber mat don't look attractive.

The contoured flaps made for the car I think do look well and can add to the appearance.

Last set I bought was for an laguna II and it added to the car appearance. It looked like it was meant to come from the factory like that.


Park beside a laguna without the contoured flaps and it would look like it was the cheaper option

Atlantic Dawn

When they match the body colour of the car they don't look too bad.

Hal1

I've a full set on mine, they look better than the molded type. They have plenty of clearance so not likely to fall off. I have them secured with some self tapping screws.

Car99

I've a genuine moulded set an an A4 avant and they definitely in move the look and keep the car cleaner. Win win.

You don't see them alot on newer cars cause they cost a good few yoyos fitted by the sealers and most irish people don't go for speccing anything that adds to the list price. Similar to a €70k cars running the cheapest tyres the man has in their size once the originals wear out.

Car99

Hal1 wrote: »

I've a full set on mine, they look better than the molded type. They have plenty of clearance so not likely to fall off. I have them secured with some self tapping screws.

If they ever do get trapped again a high kerb or something and pull off you'll be replacing more than a mudflap.

RandomAccess

You can tell the difference in cars with/without them on a day like today. A lot of cars look better with the factory moulded ones.

colm_mcm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Years ago you used to see those generic flat ones on everything. Dealers would often put there logos on them and they were a tasty bit of free advertising. Those style flaps would look septic on any modern car.

Moulded/ contoured flaps are the way forward on modern cars, much less noticable than the flat plasticy ones. They are just as popular imo but they are much more subtle and slightly less effective.

Dunno if your civic has them but I had to take my front ones off cos they ripped the wheel arch moulding off when I hit speed bumps. Maybe I drive harder than the previous owner as it was grand when I got it. Something to be mindful of.