What Are Side Skirts on a Car?
Car side skirts are aftermarket parts designed to improve handling and traction, prevent damage from road debris, and amplify style. Here's the full rundown.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Side skirts, also known as side rockers, are aftermarket car parts designed to prevent damage, make the vehicle more aerodynamic, and add some extra style.
Modern vehicles are designed to be aerodynamic to improve fuel efficiency and handling. Still, many car enthusiasts, especially race car drivers, choose to install add-on body kits to increase performance and add style. These kits—sometimes referred to as aero kits—typically include items like diffusers, splitters, spoilers, and canards, which help increase downforce and vehicle traction.
If you're considering using a body kit with side skirt extensions to modify your car, you'll need to do your research first. Luckily, we’ve put together this handy guide to help explain everything you need to know about car side skirts.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat are side skirts on a car?
Side skirts are modifications that attach to the car's fenders or rocker panels below the driver and passenger doors. They're designed to extend the car's frame closer to the ground, actively reducing high-pressure airflow and increasing downforce on the vehicle.
Automotive side skirts are usually made of high-quality materials, like carbon fiber, fiberglass, or metal, and contribute to increased performance and handling. Additionally, many car owners choose to purchase and install side skirts for reasons unrelated to performance. For example, side skirts can also protect your car from road debris and add some extra flair.
What are the benefits of side skirts?
Side skirts provide many benefits for car enthusiasts. One of the main advantages is that they improve vehicle handling and traction by increasing the amount of downforce applied to the car.
Modern cars are designed so that air moves over the roof as you drive. As the air flows over the top of the car, it creates downforce—the pressure applied to the top of the vehicle that helps you maintain traction.
However, most cars have quite a bit of space between them and the ground. When you drive at high speeds, air flows underneath your vehicle from the front and sides, resulting in high air pressure that can push up on the car and decrease stability and traction.
While this issue is rarely a problem for average car owners, performance car drivers require increased handling and stability. To reduce the high-pressure area on their vehicles, these drivers use aftermarket parts, like side skirts.
Side skirts combat this issue by extending the sides of the car closer to the ground. This effectively reduces the high-pressure area and increases downforce by preventing air from flowing beneath the car and, sometimes, redirecting it over the top.
While the primary purpose of side skirts is to increase downforce and improve handling, they do more than that. Similar to mudflaps, side skirts can also protect your car from road debris, like rocks and garbage.
And finally, side skirts are a great way to add a little extra style to your ride. Whether you own a high-performance luxury vehicle—like a Porsche, Audi, or BMW—or you're customizing a sports car, like a
Honda Civic SI
or Subaru Impreza WRX
, side skirts can boost your style and performance. Key Takeaway Side skirts are aftermarket car parts designed to reduce disruptions to your car's low-pressure front. They increase downforce, resulting in improvements to vehicle handling and traction. Side skirts can also protect your car from road debris and boost its style.
What are some of the disadvantages of side skirts?
While side skirts provide many benefits, they are not without downsides.
The main disadvantage of side skirts is that they are not practical for everyday driving over rough or uneven surfaces. Because their primary purpose is to extend the car's body closer to the ground, side skirts are ideal for smooth surfaces like racetracks. When driving on normal roads or driveways, you run the risk of scraping or damaging your side skirts due to their position close to the ground.
Another downside of side skirts is their price. While you can find good deals on body kits with universal side skirts from sites like Amazon, there's no guarantee that the parts will fit your car. Custom kits can quickly climb in price, especially if you own a high-end luxury vehicle.
Finally, modifying your car can have adverse effects on your
car insurance
rates. The fact is, when you customize your vehicle, you're increasing its value. That increased value translates to increased risk for your insurance company. A handful of insurers will include protection for vehicle modifications in their
comprehensive coverage
policies. However, your best bet is to look into aftermarket part coverage and shop around to make sure you're getting the best rate without sacrificing coverage. How do you install side skirts?
While it's always wise to consider hiring a professional to install your side skirts, installing them yourself is a great DIY project.
Before you begin, make sure you have the proper tools and safety equipment. You'll likely have to raise the vehicle, and you may need to remove the wheels. So, make sure you have access to a jack or something to lift your car.
When you're ready to get started, follow these general steps:
- Use tape to mock up the fitment and ensure that the aftermarket parts are going to fit your car.
- Use the screws and clips that come with your body kit to attach the side skirts to your vehicle. This process may involve drilling holes in the factory rocker panels or fenders, and you may need to remove the wheels to attach the skirts to the wheel well.
- Secure the skirts along the length of your car, and then lower the vehicle and inspect the fit and clearance.
MORE:
How to modify a car
How much do side skirts cost?
The price of a set of side skirts will depend on your car's make and model. Aftermarket parts for high-end luxury and performance cars will always have a higher price tag, while parts for more modest vehicles will be cheaper.
Generally, you can expect to find side skirt kits ranging from $60 to well over $200. Smaller parts like winglets (a type of side skirt that sits only in front of the rear tires) will cost less money, while complete body kits that include parts like rear wings, bumper lips, and full side skirts will have much loftier prices.
Furthermore, if you choose to have your side skirts professionally installed, you should expect the cost to climb by a minimum of $75 to $150. If you go the professional route, you'll pay significantly more at the dealership than you will at an independent body shop.
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FAQs
Do side skirts reduce drag?
Side skirts are an effective way to reduce drag. They increase the downforce applied to your car by preventing high-pressure air from making its way beneath the vehicle.
Do side skirts protect the sides of cars?
Yes, side skirts can protect the sides of your car. While their primary purpose is to improve vehicle handling and traction by increasing downforce, side skirts can also help protect your car from road debris in a way similar to mudflaps.
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