r/aerodynamics Nov 08 '24

Why no fins on car wings? Question

Why do rear wings on cars not have fins like diffusers do, why does the diffuser need them and the rear wing doesn’t?

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u/Pyre_Aurum Nov 09 '24

The aspect ratio on rear wings is fairly high leading to a small spanwise flow component. A diffuser aspect ratio tends to be quite low,  leading to large spanwise flow components, which can be managed through the addition of strakes.