# Aero dynamics

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/aero-dynamics/3397>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 20, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aero-dynamics/3397 "2007-08-20T17:29:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jon\_j\_collins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jon\_j\_collins](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jon_j_collins)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aero-dynamics/3397/1 "2007-08-20T17:29:33Z")

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I have a 97 dodge ram 1500 truck  
  
 over the years I have seen the air dam under the front bumper wear away and finally have to be removed.  
  
  
  
 Is there a practical reason to replace this and if so what purpose does it have?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aero-dynamics/3397/2 "2007-08-20T17:38:49Z")

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[b]The front valance routes the air under the vehicle so as not to create a high pressure zone under the hood. Which causes drag.

Tester[/b]

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**Author:** ![Big\_Riviera\_1990](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/big_riviera_1990/32/43_2.png) [@Big\_Riviera\_1990](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Big_Riviera_1990)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aero-dynamics/3397/3 "2007-08-20T18:00:05Z")

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It may also route air to and over the front disc brakes to cool them.

-Matt

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aero-dynamics/3397/4 "2007-08-20T21:06:49Z")

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In many vehicles it also routes air up past the radiator and/or engine to help cooling.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2007, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/aero-dynamics/3397/5 "2007-08-20T22:56:39Z")

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It might also provide a little down force to keep the wheels on the ground at high speed. I used to lose road feel on my Mom’s 1964 Cadillac at 70 MPH. It was fine until the front end started to lift.